Question 1

What is the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM)?

Accepted Answer

RAM is the UK government's standard method for assessing how recyclable packaging is in practice, not just in theory. It gives each packaging item a red, amber or green rating, and that rating decides how much you pay in EPR fees. Put simply, it's how the system tells the difference between packaging that's easy to recycle and packaging that's likely to end up in landfill.

Question 2

What packaging does RAM apply to?

Accepted Answer

RAM applies to household packaging and packaging that ends up in public bins, supplied from 01/01/2025 onwards. Reusable packaging, exported packaging and drinks containers covered by the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme are excluded. If you're a large producer placing household packaging on the UK market, you'll need a RAM rating for it.

Question 3

What are the stages of a RAM assessment?

Accepted Answer

There are five stages. Classification works out how to assess the pack and its components. Collection checks whether the material is widely collected, for example at the kerbside. Sortation checks whether recycling facilities can sort it. Reprocessing checks whether recyclers can turn it into new material. Application checks whether that recycled material is good enough to be used again. Fail at any stage, and the packaging isn't considered fully recyclable.

Question 4

What do the red, amber and green ratings mean?

Accepted Answer

Green means the packaging is highly recyclable through existing UK systems. Amber means it can be recycled, but with limitations that reduce its quality or volume. Red means it's unlikely to be recycled in practice. Each rating links to a fee level, so the colour of your packaging has a direct impact on your EPR bill.

Question 5

How does RAM affect my EPR fees?

Accepted Answer

Since 2026/27, EPR fees are modulated by RAM rating. Amber is the base fee for each material. Green packaging pays 9% less. Red packaging pays 20% more, and that premium is set to rise to 60% in 2027/28 and 100% (double the amber fee) in 2028/29. Across a large range, a few percentage points per tonne can add up quickly.

Question 6

What happens if I don't carry out a RAM assessment?

Accepted Answer

Your packaging is rated red by default. The same applies if you don't have enough information to complete the assessment properly. That means paying the highest fee, even if your packaging is actually recyclable. Good specification data (materials, weights, inks, adhesives, coatings) is the easiest way to avoid paying more than you should.

Question 7

What makes packaging fail a RAM assessment?

Accepted Answer

Common problems include multi-material laminates that can't be separated, formats that sorting facilities can't detect, and materials without an established recycling market. Some packaging is automatically rated red, for example packaging containing intentionally added PFAS (except steel, aluminium and glass), substances of very high concern, or integrated batteries and electronics. Flexible plastics are hit particularly hard: most assessed in 2025 were rated red.

Question 8

Is RAM assessed per component or for the whole pack?

Accepted Answer

Usually per component. If components can be separated, such as a bottle, cap and label, each one is assessed on its own. If they can't be separated, the pack is assessed based on its main material by weight, and that rating is applied across the materials reported. That's why component-level data is so important for getting accurate ratings.

Reath's tool does component-level reporting for you, so every part of your packaging is assessed and reported on its own without extra admin.

Question 9

How can I improve my packaging's RAM rating?

Accepted Answer

Start by finding out which components are pulling your rating down. Common fixes include switching to mono-material formats, making components easy to separate, choosing compatible inks and adhesives, and avoiding materials that sorting facilities struggle to detect. Reath's Compare RAM Scores tool lets you test alternative formats side by side before changing anything on the production line.

Question 10

How often is RAM updated?

Accepted Answer

RAM is reviewed every year to reflect changes in UK collection and recycling infrastructure. A new version, RAM 2027, applies to packaging supplied during 2027 and introduces stricter criteria, including tighter rules on PFAS and chemicals. A rating you have today might not hold next year, so it's worth reassessing your packaging each time the methodology is updated.

Reath's tool keeps you on top of this automatically, applying the latest RAM rules to your packaging as they change, without you needing to learn the legislation yourself.

Recyclability Assessment Methodology

What even is RAM?

Collection

Sortation

Reprocessing

Application

How does RAM fit into EPR?

How it works

Understand your packaging

Check each RAM stage

Apply the RAG outcome

Design out the reds

How Reath can help

RAM scoring

Compare RAM scores

Regulator-ready reports

RAM FAQs

Get accurate RAM ratings for every SKU