What are the Plastic Tax rate changes?
The UK Government recently announced on 15th March 2023 that the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) costs will increase from 1st April 2023.
As of April 2022, the government introduced a tax on plastic packaging that contained less than 30% recycled content. The tax now in place applies to plastic packaging that is manufactured in or imported into the UK.
However, with the implementation of the new rate charge, there will be an increase from £200.00 per tonne up to £210.82. Within this article, we will fully explore all there is to know about the new Plastic Tax rate changes and who is likely to be affected by the alterations.
Who will be affected by the Plastic Tax rate change?
Those who will be affected by the Plastic Tax rate change include UK manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging, business customers of manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging, as well as consumers buying plastic packaging within the UK.
However, manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging amounting to less than 10 tonnes per year are currently exempt.
What is the aim of increasing the rate of the Plastic Tax?
The aim of the Plastic Tax is to provide an economic incentive to use recycled plastic when it comes to the manufacturing process of plastic packaging. It is hoped this will increase demand for the material and prompting higher levels of recycling and plastic waste collecting, which will divert plastic away from landfill or incineration.
According to Gov.UK, “Increasing the rate of Plastic Packaging Tax in line with CPI maintains the real term value of the price incentive to use recycled plastic and support the government’s environmental goals.”
Therefore, the rate set out in Section 45 of the Finance Act 2021 will change from £200 per tonne to £210.82 per tonne as of the 1st April 2023. This is all in order to support the Government’s long-term goal to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2042.
How can I avoid the Plastic Tax?
There are a few ways in which The Plastic Tax can be avoided. The first step a business can take is to review the materials they currently use to see if there are any ways to cut the amount of existing plastic. For example, reviewing plastic packaging such as bubble wrap, stretch wrap, plastic void-fill, strapping and tape.
Swiftpak recommends trying their free packaging audit to gain a deeper understanding of the business’s packaging operations and any challenges that may be faced. It will also show whether any packaging materials used could be reduced.
An alternative option is to switch to packaging solutions containing at least 30% recycled content. Recycled content materials will still protect products the same way, just with the added benefit of being much more environmentally friendly as it prevents waste from going to landfill. Swiftpak has a wide range of recycled content packaging from 30% recycled strapping and 30% Recycled Stretch Wrap to Premium Recycled Bubble Wrap and Recycled Foam Profiles.
Find out more about avoiding or reducing the impact of The Plastic Tax in one of Swiftpak’s articles.
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Tackling the Plastic Tax with Swiftpak
Swiftpak understands that the announcement of the Plastic Tax rate changes has been made at short notice, providing limited time to make changes to any orders that have already been placed.
Swiftpak has been a trusted partner for numerous customers seeking to navigate the challenges of the Plastic Tax. Whether you require expert guidance or simply have questions about this complex subject, our team stands ready to provide the support and information you need.
