Page 49 - Plastics News November 2018

internAtionAL news

UK to introduce plastics tax for packaging by April 2022

ood and beverage companies for the measure, Group Managing Director Kenton Robbins
Fwill be taxed on plastic said it was a very positive move towards increasing
packaging that contains less than sustainability but urged retailers to also play their part by
30 percent recycled content, the ensuring they’re confident that their packaging suppliers
UK Chancellor Philip Hammond can meet and exceed that criteria. “We anticipated this
announced yesterday in the 2018 happening quite some years ago and so implemented a
Budget speech. The tax aims to number of measures to ensure that our products contained
“transform the economics of a high proportion of recycled content,” he commented.
sustainable packaging” and posit “Most of our food packaging products now contain up to
the UK as “as a world leader” in 80 percent, sometimes 90 percent, rPET recyclate which
tackling the scourge of plastic littering across the world of course, in turn, makes them fully recyclable. “However,
and its oceans. we firmly believe that over the next few years the major
supermarkets and food retailers will play a significant role
The new tax will come into force in April 2022, following
a period of consultation on the detail and implementation in transforming the economics of sustainable packaging so
timetable.“Where we cannot achieve re-use, we are we urge them to check that their suppliers are capable of
determined to increase recycling so we will introduce delivering at this level,” he adds.
a new tax on the manufacture and import of plastic
packaging which contains less than 30 percent recycled
plastic,” noted the Chancellor in his speech. Hammond
chose not to introduce the much-debated “latte levy” on
disposable coffee cups, noting that this tax in isolation
would not “deliver a decisive shift from disposable to
reusable cups across all beverage types.” However, he
indicated that this topic would be revisited if “sufficient
progress is not made.” UK management and plastics
recycling company Veolia has welcomed the proposed
tax: “The Chancellor focused on delivering a level playing
field for manufacturers and the recycling sector, helping
to bolster the circular economy and protect our common
environment. The tax announced has the potential
to ensure recycled content becomes the currency of
production,” says Richard Kirkman, Chief Technology and
Innovation Officer, Veolia UK & Ireland.
“Industry, government and consumers have mobilized this
year to tackle the plastic challenge and Veolia's intention
is clear – by opening two domestic recycling facilities in
the last 12 months and committing to invest £1 billion
in infrastructure in the next five years we are backing
UK recycling.” “To make the UK a waste-to-resources
heavyweight we must also remove confusion for consumers
and encourage investment in domestic infrastructure to
secure a circular approach for the next generation,” he
adds. The PFF Packaging Group has also expressed support

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51 November 2018 Plastics News