A survey by the waste management company Veolia has found that 83% of UK companies don't know about the Plastics Packaging Tax due to come in next year.
The Treasury announced its intentions for plastics tax in 2018 and the new tax Plastics Packaging Tax will commence in April 2022 but Veolia's research indicates most companies remain unaware of the impact on their own business. While it found that 83% of respondents were unaware of the tax, 84% of them agreed with the policy.
- The tax will be £200 per tonne (apportionment for part thereof).
- The tax applies to plastic packaging manufactured in or imported into the UK containing less than 30% recycled plastic when measured by weight.
- It applies to businesses that manufacture or import plastic packaging components or import packaged goods into the UK.
- 'Small operators’ who manufacture or import less than 10 tonnes of plastic packaging in a 12-month period are exempted from the charge.
- There are anti-avoidance rules dealing with the artificial separation of business activities to avoid the tax.
The research was published the day after the Treasury's consultation, ‘Plastic Packaging Tax policy design’, ended. Veolia's survey was carried out by YouGov in June 2021 and the figures have been weighted and are representative of all Employees in Manufacturing & Retail businesses.
It also found that the two biggest drivers for acting more sustainably in business are government mandate (30%) and an environmental conscience (48%).
Useful guides on this topic
Plastic Packaging Tax
What is Plastic Packaging Tax? Who does it apply to? Are small businesses subject to Plastic Packaging Tax?
Get your business ready for the Plastic Packaging Tax
HMRC have issued a new policy paper ‘Get your business ready for the Plastic Packaging Tax’ advising businesses who will be affected by the new tax and how to prepare for it.
Updated: Plastic Packaging Tax consultation
The government has published a consultation, ‘Plastic Packaging Tax policy design’. This examines policy design options for the proposed new tax on plastic packaging.
External links
Consultation: Plastic Packaging Tax policy design
Policy Paper: Introduction of new plastic packaging tax
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