Joe Sizeland

More brands are looking again at the bottles they use. They’re responding to customers asking how much recycled plastic they are using and now the UK Plastic Packaging Tax is also part of the conversation, with the rate rising to £228.82 per tonne from April 2026 on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic.

This is where the terminology can get confusing. PET is one of the most common plastics used for clear bottles. rPET is recycled PET. PCR means post-consumer recycled plastic, which is plastic that has already been used by consumers, collected and processed so it can be used again.

That means the choice comes down to how much recycled content you want, what your product needs from the bottle and how the finished packaging should look and perform.

At iBottles, we supply clear PET bottles, recycled rPET bottles and PCR containers to UK brands in flexible quantities, so you can compare the options before committing to a bulk order. This guide explains what the terms

If you make cosmetic products from home, run a small skincare brand or are preparing to sell your first proper batch, packaging can feel like something to think about once the formula is finished. In reality, it is one of the biggest practical decisions you will make.

The right bottle, jar, pot, closure or pump will protect your product, keep it stable, make it easy to use and give your label enough space to include the information customers need. The wrong choice early on can lead to big issues later on. 

Over the decades, iBottles has become the packaging supply partner of choice to countless small cosmetic businesses, home producers and growing skincare, haircare and personal care brands across the UK. We supply bottles, jars, pots, closures, pumps, atomisers, droppers and recycled-content packaging in flexible quantities, so you can order samples, test your packaging with your product and scale up when you are ready.

This guide explains how your packaging decisions will affect compliance