UK GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON A TAX ON PLASTIC PACKAGING

Dave Windle

Via the Scottish Environmental LINK, NEMT replied to the above consultation, making the following main points. It¡¦s rather off-piste for Mountain Views, but I have included it as it provides a glimpse of where government is moving on the subject of single-use plastics; something that many of us are interested in.

This consultation concerns the UK Treasury proposal to introduce a tax on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recyclate. This is a world leading proposition and an important step in policy development to reduce our use of virgin resources and stimulate the recycling sector. The main points are set out below:

• We support this initiative but a more effective measure would be to tax the use of virgin materials directly.
• We would like such a tax to apply to all plastic products, not just packaging.
• On packaging, we would like such a tax to apply to other non-plastic packaging.
• On plastic packaging, composite packaging should be included.
• The percentage of recyclate threshold should vary according to the material. For some materials recycled content is more readily available — (Coco Cola has committed to a recyclate content of 50% by 2020). We ask for a clear roadmap showing an increase in thresholds over time.
• The tax rate should be set at a level such that it disincentivises the use of virgin material.
• Imported packaging, filled and unfilled, should be subject to the tax.
• The tax should be applied to the packaging manufacturer and there should be no exclusions for small operators.

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