What is the Packaging Tax
The Plastic Packaging Tax: What You Need to Know as a UK-Based Purchaser of Industrial Transit Packaging
In a bid to tackle the growing issue of plastic pollution, the UK government introduced a plastic packaging tax in 2022. The tax is designed to encourage businesses to use more sustainable alternatives and reduce the amount of plastic packaging waste generated.
So, what is the plastic packaging tax? Simply put, it’s a tax that applies to plastic packaging that doesn’t contain at least 30% recycled plastic. This means that businesses that produce or import plastic packaging in the UK will be subject to the tax unless they use a certain amount of recycled plastic.
How much is the tax? The tax is set at £200 per metric tonne of plastic packaging that doesn’t contain at least 30% recycled plastic. This is a significant cost that businesses will have to consider when choosing their packaging materials.
How will the tax be charged? The tax will be charged on plastic packaging that has a weight of 10 tonnes or more and is either manufactured in the UK or imported into the UK. The tax will be charged at the point of production or importation, and it will be the responsibility of the business to ensure that they have paid the tax if they are liable.
What does this all mean for users of transit/tertiary plastic packaging? As a UK-based purchaser of industrial transit packaging, it’s important to be aware of the plastic packaging tax and how it may impact your business. If you currently use plastic packaging that doesn’t contain at least 30% recycled plastic, you may be subject to the tax. This means that you will need to consider alternative packaging materials or increase the amount of recycled plastic used in your packaging to avoid the tax.
The good news is that there are many sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging that you can use. For example, paper-based packaging is a great option that is both recyclable and biodegradable. If you would like more advice on The Plastic Packaging Tax Contact Us