UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / July 16, 2026 / Warehouses and distribution centres across the UK are being warned to prepare for a significant rise in sorting and handling work, as a wave of new packaging waste regulations begins to reshape how goods are stored, processed and dispatched.

Over the coming years, businesses will need to adapt to several major reforms. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is shifting financial responsibility for the full lifecycle of packaging onto the producers who place it on the market, while the Simpler Recycling reforms will require businesses and households to separate recyclable materials in a more consistent way than before.

In parts of the UK, Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) are also being introduced, adding a further layer of material segregation to existing processes. Alongside these specific measures, there is continued regulatory and commercial pressure on companies to reduce overall packaging waste and improve recyclability.

Taken together, industry experts say these changes amount to a fundamental rethink of packaging design, storage and handling for manufacturers and distributors alike. Materials that could once be bundled together for disposal must now often be separated by type before they leave site, and packaging formats are increasingly being chosen with end-of-life recyclability in mind rather than purely for cost or convenience.

According to Pallet Trucks UK, one of the most immediate effects is a rise in manual handling activity within warehouses. More separation of materials, more frequent repackaging, and increased movement of partially unpacked goods are all contributing to additional workload for warehouse teams.

These changes are particularly noticeable in fulfilment centres and distribution hubs where products are being re-sorted, re-baled or repacked before final dispatch. In many cases, this means more frequent pallet movements, tighter storage rotations and a greater reliance on robust handling equipment - such as pallet trucks, stackers and lift tables - to keep operations moving efficiently.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Pallet Trucks UK, said the practical impact of the reforms should not be underestimated.

"These regulations are the right direction of travel for the environment, but they do have real consequences on the warehouse floor," he said. "Businesses are now having to build in extra sorting and handling steps that simply didn't exist before, and that means more manual movement of materials at every stage.

“We're seeing operators reassess their equipment needs because the volume and frequency of internal transport has increased, even if overall stock levels haven't changed. It's not just about compliance on paper: it's about making sure the operational side can actually keep pace."

For more information, please visit: www.pallettrucksuk.co.uk.