Former M&S Food head of packaging Karen Graley has been appointed as head of the upcoming environmental levy’s Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO).

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme looks to move the cost of household recycling from councils onto the companies using the packaging and is due to be implemented this October.

Graley has already played a role in shaping the development of the UK’s scheme, sitting on the EPR Interim Steering Group, which was created to support the mobalisation of the scheme and the formation of its administrator, PackUK.

She was also previously on the government’s advisory committee for packaging.

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Graley brings over 30 years’ experience leading packaging strategies, innovation and delivery across major UK retailers including Waitrose and Safeway, and most recently in her role at M&S.

Alongside spearheading packaging innovation for these national retailers, she is also a founding member of the board of directors for the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme, which according to PRO, has “transformed packaging and driven up recycling rates across the UK”.  

The PRO is being established by packaging producers across all the sectors covered by EPR, led by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), to ensure that the fees raised by producers drive an increase in recycling rates.

The organisation will act on behalf of producers to ensure their views are represented in the scheme, driving improvements in recycling, including supporting local authorities, and attracting investment into recycling infrastructure. 

As Head of the PRO, Karen will work with PackUK, obligated producers from relevant sectors, and key stakeholders across the UK’s four governments to set up the PRO and ensure it achieves its purpose of delivering a circular economy for packaging.

Graley said: “I am truly honoured to be appointed as the Head of the PRO at this pivotal moment for the future of the UK’s recycling system. The PRO’s success hinges on collaboration between producers, industry stakeholders, local authorities, and the wider community.

“I look forward to working together with all these partners to drive collaboration so we can achieve the shared goals of improving recyclability and ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively.”