Page 48 - Plastics News November 2019

internAtionAL news

Italy's plastic tax plan under Plastic straws would be banned

threat after industry outcry under new Queensland law

he Italian government could be forced to change its lastic straws, cutlery
Tplans for a tax on plastic packaging after coming under Pand plates will become
pressure from producers.The measure, which is intended a thing of the past in
to combat plastic pollution while raising more than €1bn Queensland, as the state
(£860m) in revenues, has divided the fragile coalition government prepares for
between the Five Star Movement (M5S) and the Democratic roll out bans on single use
party (PD). The tax, included in the draft budget for 2020, plastics. Plastic straws,
would require companies to pay a €1 levy on each kilogram coffee cups and throwaway
of plastic produced, including bottles, polyethylene bags cutlery could be banned
and trays, detergent containers, bubble wrap, packaging from next year under a
for household appliances and product labels. The measure plan from the Palaszczuk
would also provide incentives to firms that produce Government to eradicate plastic waste. Environment
biodegradable materials. As the budget begins its passage Minister Leanne Enoch is expected to release the
through parliament, however, the proposal has irked one Palaszczuk Government's Plastic Pollution Reduction
of Italy’s most dynamic industries. It also faces opposition Plan on Thursday, which could see new war on waste
from Italia Viva, the centrist party recently established by laws become effective as early as next year. The South
the former prime minister Matteo Renzi, who described Australian government announced similar plans in July,
the tax as “a blow to the middle-class”. Renzi left the with coffee cups and plastic bags, as well as straws
and cutlery, in the firing line. “There is a growing
concern amongst Queenslanders about the amount of
plastic being used in everyday life,” Enoch said last
fortnight."(The) majority of Queenslanders (seven
out of 10) already take steps to reduce their use of
single-use plastics, but there is always more we can do
to tackle pollution. "The Queensland government has
promised extensive consultation with the community on
the issue before it moves further on the ban, and the
feasibility of transitioning to reusable or 100 per cent
compostable alternatives. Enoch said she recognised
PD to form Italia Viva, but the party is still part of the that in some instances a total ban on plastics was not
ruling coalition. Confindustria, the confederation of Italian feasible. People with certain physical disabilities may
industry, argues that the levy risks harming a sector that not find bamboo, paper or metal alternatives suitable,
brings in a turnover of around €40bn a year and employs she said. “This is why we will undertake extensive
150,000 people. “The measure penalises products, not consultation to ensure these needs are appropriately
behaviour, and only represents a way to recover resources, understood and addressed, and put in place exemptions
while placing huge costs on consumers, workers and in this regard.” From 2020, the Qld Government will
businesses,” Confindustria said s adding that companies start by banning the products from their own events;
already contributed €450m a year toward the collection however an exact timeline from there hasn't been
and recycling of plastic packaging. Paolo Lamberti, the revealed. Also on the state's agenda: developing
president of Federchimica, the association that represents facilities to process and repurpose plastic, mandating
the chemicals industry, said the tax did not consider “the the use of recycled plastics, and expanding the Plastic
disastrous impact on all firms” while several consumer Free Places program, which works with retailers,
organisations argue it would add about 10% to product events and markets at the community level to wipe out
prices. Roberto Gualtieri, the finance minister, moved to single-use water bottles, straws, coffee cups and lids,
appease the critics saying the measure could be modified takeaway containers, food ware and bags. In Noosa,
to reduce the impact on the plastics industry. more than 200 businesses have signed up to the scheme.

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