PUBS could be forced to hike the cost of a pint because of controversial recycling rules, industry bosses have warned.
Boozers are effectively being charged twice to get rid of the same glass bottles under the scheme, industry chiefs claim.
Pubs could be forced to hike the cost of a pint Credit: krisanapong detraphiphat
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith says the levy is ‘another slap in the face for landlords’ Credit: PA
Landlords already pay private waste contractors to recycle empties but are also saddled with extra costs from suppliers because the bottles are classed as household waste, the British Beer and Pub Association said.
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith told The Jattvibe: “Labour’s recycling levy is yet another slap in the face for landlords and punters who will end up paying more for their pint — or seeing their local close.”
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The BBPA says the rules are wiping out the profitability of glass bottles, forcing brewers to either swallow the costs or pass them down the supply chain to pubs and customers.
EPR currently costs brewers £124million a year, according to the trade body, with glass charged at £192 per tonne and the Government has estimated that 85 per cent of EPR costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers.
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BBPA boss Emma McClarkin said: “If ministers fail to fix this flaw soon, this hugely unfair cost could end up adding up to £250m over the course of Labour’s term, reducing the benefits from next year’s very welcome business rates reduction.
“The Prime Minister clearly wants to stand up for pubs, and we urge him to build on his good work by fixing this absurd problem.”
The trade body says the £50million annual cost would effectively wipe out around half of the Government’s £100million package of business rates support for pubs.
Pubs are already grappling with higher wage and energy bills and a raft of new employment rules.
It comes as the average cost of a pint has soared to almost £6, with drinkers increasingly opting for smaller serves to save cash.
A pint now costs £5.91 on average, up from £5.81 last year and £5.47 in 2024, according to global payments firm Square.
