INDUSTRY
P L A S T I C PA C K A G I N G TA X
Preparing for the plastic packaging tax The upcoming introduction of the plastic packaging tax means that using non-recycled plastic will come with added costs – but manufacturers and dealers are prepared for this
P
ressure has been increasing on
a broader market scope for recycled plastic, providing
manufacturers to reduce their use of
companies with a financial stimulus to collect and recycle
plastic in recent years, as consumers
packaging rather than disposing of it – all of which
seek ever more sustainable products,
supports a more circular economy and a wider move to
and a new tax on plastic packaging is
greater sustainability. Whether it will have an impact like
focusing minds to cut plastic use even further. The plastic packaging tax will be introduced on 1 April and will see a tax of £200 per tonne levied on any plastic
that of the 5p charge on single-use carrier bags, which resulted in plastic bag sales at major supermarkets falling by 86%, is yet to be seen.”
packaging that does not have a minimum of 30% recycled content. If companies manufacture or import packaging
PREPARATION
they will need to take steps to establish their status within
Manufacturers have been preparing for the introduction
the tax. Companies that manufacture or import more
of the tax by devising ways to present, pack and supply
than 10 tonnes of plastic in 12 months will have to register
products without compromising the security or stability
and keep additional records to calculate and pay the tax
at the point of sale or in transit. For example, Pentel
if they are the company performing the last substantial
has recently replaced its key blister cards with a range
modification before filling, packing and labelling.
of plastic-free packaging made from 100% recyclable
Businesses impacted in the sector are preparing for the
cardboard. “Moving away from conventional blister cards,
tax and its implementation is involving costs for businesses
with their single-use plastic, is the right thing to do for
such as creating the reporting frameworks needed to
the environment, but it’s not without its challenges,” says
complete tax returns, storing suitable records and training
Pentel’s marketing manager, Wendy Vickery. “The obvious
employees, according to BOSS Federation.
benefit of the plastic bubble is that it affords full product
“The plastic packaging tax should definitely reduce the quantity of plastic polluting the ocean, being transported to landfill, or incinerated,” says Martin Eames, BOSS SUP
visibility to the consumer - which is a real advantage in those precious few seconds at the point of sale. “When we do find it occasionally necessary to use
Forum chair. “Incentivising companies to make use of
plastic – for example, in wallets to hold heavier products
plastic with 30% and higher recycled content will establish
– we use recycled material, which exceeds the minimum
[24] MARCH 2022
www.dealersupport.co.uk
