Pret A Manger

Valpak, a Reconomy specialist brand, transformed packaging data management for Pret A Manger, delivering an end-to-end compliance service that keeps the business ahead of fast-evolving packaging regulations.

By combining supplier data collection, complete data visualisation, and detailed recyclability analysis, Valpak gave Pret accurate, verified submissions and the insight needed to forecast costs, reduce risk, and make better, more sustainable packaging decisions.

• Problem: As the Packaging Waste Regulations intensified, Pret faced growing complexity in meeting UK pEPR obligations, including new RAM data requirements and greater granularity across packaging formats, alongside rising pEPR and PRN costs.
• Solution: Valpak delivered a comprehensive, end-to-end data and compliance service, spanning supplier data collection, the Insight Platform, detailed RAM assessments, and ongoing regulatory forecasting.
• Result: Accurate, supplier-verified EPR submissions, clear visibility of cost drivers, improved recyclability insight, and better forecasting, enabling data-driven sustainability decisions.

The challenge

As the Packaging Waste Regulations intensified, Pret A Manger faced growing complexity in meeting its environmental compliance duties. Since 2023, the business has been required to report detailed packaging data, collected from multiple suppliers, to meet UK pEPR regulations. However, new requirements, including Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) data and increased granularity across packaging formats and materials, introduced significant operational pressure.

Pret needed accurate, supplier-verified packaging weights, reliable sustainability data, and a means of tracking costs across materials, suppliers, and formats. In addition, rising pEPR and PRN prices meant Pret required proactive fee forecasting and strategic insights to help budget effectively and reduce exposure to future modulated fees.

With regulations changing frequently, Pret required an expert partner who could provide compliant submissions, robust data management systems, and clear visibility of upcoming regulatory shifts.

Valpak’s solution

Valpak delivered a comprehensive, end-to-end data and compliance service tailored to Pret’s needs.

Supplier Data Hub: streamlined data collection

Valpak’s Supplier Data Hub acted as the central point for gathering packaging information from Pret’s supplier base, through:

• Supplier outreach and support.
• Collection of packaging weights and specifications.
• Verification of data for accuracy and completeness.

This ensured Pret had a dependable, compliant dataset for its pEPR submissions.

Insight Platform: complete data visualisation

Using Valpak’s Insight Platform, Pret gained instant visibility of its packaging, suppliers, recyclability, and compliance costs. The platform enabled Pret to:

• Identify packaging items with the highest tonnage contribution.
• Track supplier data gaps and data quality issues.
• Assess recyclability levels and RAM classification.
• Forecast pEPR fees by material, supplier, and category.
• Review sustainability metrics such as recycled content and material mix.

This gave Pret a centralised view of key cost drivers and sustainability hotspots.

RAM assessments and packaging impact analysis

Valpak provided detailed RAM service reports, including:

• Product-level pEPR and PRN cost breakdowns.
• Direct and indirect cost modelling.
• Identification of materials most affected by modulated fees.
• Full packaging component analysis per SKU.

These insights highlighted actionable opportunities to improve recyclability and reduce future EPR exposure.

Ongoing regulatory support and forecasting

Valpak ensured Pret remained ahead of developments by:

• Monitoring upcoming pEPR and RAM changes.
• Providing quarterly PRN and pEPR fee forecasts.
• Highlighting high-cost packaging types and suppliers.
• Advising on budgeting strategies and compliance risk mitigation.

This allowed Pret to prepare early for new requirements, particularly the introduction of modulated fees.

The results

• Accurate, supplier-verified EPR submissions: reduced risk of non-compliance through reliable, consistently maintained packaging data.
• Clear visibility of cost drivers: detailed insight into which materials, products, and suppliers contribute most to compliance costs.
• Improved recyclability insight: full RAM classification enabled Pret to identify improvement opportunities for low-performing packaging formats.
• Better forecasting and budgeting: regular fee projections helped Pret plan for rising PRN prices and the financial impact of pEPR reforms.
• Data-driven sustainability decisions: using the Insight Platform, Pret can prioritise packaging redesign and supplier engagement based on real performance data.

Next steps

As RAM reporting expands and modulated fees come into force, Valpak will continue supporting Pret to:

• Identify and reduce red-classified (low recyclability) packaging.
• Improve packaging design and supplier engagement.
• Reduce long-term packaging compliance costs through recyclability improvements.
• Leverage the Insight Platform to monitor packaging changes across markets.
• Prepare for future pEPR enhancements and sustainability reporting requirements.

This ongoing partnership will help Pret strengthen compliance, reduce environmental impact, and make fully informed packaging decisions.