Sustainability and packaging are never a stone’s throw away from each other. And this was true in March 2020 when UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak laid out plans to introduce the ‘Plastic Packaging Tax’. This tax will come into effect in April 2022.
As a business, you will be required to either prove that your packaging has greater than 30% recycled content, or pay tax at a rate of £200 per tonne.
Duo’s research found that, currently, less than a third (28%) of businesses are prepared to meet the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax.
Who will this tax affect?
It is thought that UK producers of plastic packaging, importers of plastic packaging, business customers of producers and importers of plastic packaging, and consumers who buy goods in plastic packaging in the UK will all be affected by this new measure.
There are to be a few exceptions, including those who only produce a small amount of plastic packaging. This measure is expected to impact on up to an estimated 20,000 producers and importers of plastic packaging. It is expected that the impact on businesses will be significant. The overall impact will depend on the design of the tax.
How can I voice my views?
If you’re likely to be impacted by this tax, today (August 20th 2020) is your last chance to respond to government with any views.
This is a new tax that means if you are producing or importing plastic packaging into the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic, it will liable to the new measure.
Martin Hyde, Policy Leader at environmental compliance scheme Comply Direct Ltd, has provided five key considerations for businesses to ensure they’re ready to meet the requirements. (Click to make image larger)
If you need any information or advice on the plastic tax, please get in touch with us. As more information is released nearer to the time, we will update this blog and our social media pages in due course.
Sources
GOV.UK
The Future Of Packaging Report: Covid-19 Update
