We've compiled the most common questions our members have raised about the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). Explore the answers in this article.
Introduction
The Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) under packaging EPR naturally raises a lot of questions for producers, here is a collection of the most common we’ve been asked.
Don't forget you can also read our article Understand the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). If you have a RAM question not covered in our RAM articles, please do let us know by contacting your account manager directly.
We improved and simplified this entire article to make the information easier to digest.
3 July 2025
We updated the answer to question 2 to detail the RPS released by the Environment Agency on 27 June 2025.
9 June 2025
We updated 'outcome' to 'output' to align with government terminology.
22 April 2025
We updated questions 2, 5 and 12 following an update from government.
25 February 2025
We updated question '9. Are drinks packaging in scope of DRS subject to RAM?' following an update from government.
10 February 2025
We added a list of member knowledge resources related to the RAM.
24 December 2025
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1. Who is the RAM applicable to?
Large producers are required to use the RAM and report on the red, amber or green (RAG) results as part of their EPR submission for household packaging. You will be classed as a large organisation if both of the following apply:
You have an annual turnover of £2 million or more AND you’re responsible for supplying or importing more than 50 tonnes of empty packaging or packaged goods in the UK.
We have created the RAM Component Checker to help all our members easily assess an individual packaging component against the RAM.
There are no tools or templates provided by DEFRA to complete a RAM assessment. It is instead delivered by DEFRA via several webpages. You can access all of the government guidance from here.
4. How does the RAM relate to the base fees for Waste Management Fees?
The RAM’s RAG rating determines fee modulation: Red packaging incurs higher fees, Amber typically stays at the base rate and Green will mean lower fees as it is more recyclable.
5. Is there an expected change to the packaging landscape as a result of businesses using the RAM?
The RAM will likely shift packaging choices toward more recyclable formats. The eco-modulation of Waste Management Fees using the RAM incentivises businesses to aim for a green rating, moving away from current red and amber formats that are less recyclable.
6. As the RAM goes through four stages, should the packaging have four RAG results or one overall result?
For reporting purposes, only use the “highest” RAG result for the component. Red is highest, amber is middle and green is lowest.
7. How do you complete a RAM assessment if the packaging has a label on it?
Unless a label can be easily removed by hand (i.e. it is not glued on), it inherits the RAG rating of the component it’s attached to. For example, a glass jar with a paper label uses the glass rating - both reported as green if the glass has a green rating, or amber if the glass has an amber rating.
8. Is drinks packaging in scope of DRS subject to RAM?
Drinks containers (aluminium, steel, PET) between 150 ml and 3 L in-scope of the DRS are not subject to RAM. Glass containers are assessed under the RAM, with easily removable parts (e.g. metal lids) reported separately; labels that require effort or tools to remove are assessed with the container.
9. Is there a matrix that shows if the material can be widely recycled in the UK?
There’s no UK-wide recyclability matrix. Recyclability depends on component features, not just material. e.g., not all plastic is non-recyclable, and not all paper or glass is recyclable. Never assume based on primary material alone.
10. If you have a glass bottle with a removeable lid but there is a small tamperproof part of the lid left on the neck of the bottle, how is this assessed?
A packaging component will need to be assessed with any materials that are not easily separated by hand. In this example, the bottle would be assessed with consideration of the tamperproof element which remains attached.
The RAM indicates specifics that will result in either an amber or red result for the packaging component.
11. For packaging that will have residues, how do we assess the ease with which that packaging can be recycled?
Currently, only glass residue matters for RAM.
Glass - Collection stage:
“Glass with designed in contamination (meaning it product residue cannot be easily removed by the consumer such as nail polish bottles or concealer).”
For contaminated glass, the rating is red unless a take-back scheme exists, in which case the best rating is amber.
12. Is there RAM guidance for more technical packaging, such as triggers and aerosols?
The RAM does assess technical features of packaging. If a trigger is easily removed, assess it by its own primary material; if not, assess it in relation to the material of the main component it is attached to.
13. Will Ecosurety be able to support our company to comply with the requirements of the RAM?
Ecosurety supports members with RAM reporting through tiered support options, as part of the EPR submission support, to simplify the process and provide insights. Our Advisory Team can also help improve packaging with red or amber ratings.
To learn more or upgrade your support, contact your account manager or our sales team.
Members can also access our extensive RAM guidance:
Alison is our first Packaging Sustainability Specialist. Alison has spent over eight years working in the packaging and recycling sector in Australia & the UK, engaging with government, industry bodies and brand owners.
