When does this take effect?

Effective from the 1st of April 2022 HMRC introduced a new tax on plastic packaging (NPPT) that contains less than 30% recycled content. From April 1st, the tax will be added to all plastic packaging that doesn’t include a minimum of 30% recycled content and will be presented as an uplift in price.

What is the plastics tax & how much does it cost?

In simple terms, the tax will apply to plastic packaging produced in, and imported into the UK, where plastic is the predominant weight of the packaging. The charge will be £200 per tonne for plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled content. Typical products liable for the tax are bubble wrap and bags, polythene bags, stretch films and packaging tapes.

What is classed as a plastic packaging component?

A product is designed to be used, whether alone or combined with other products, in the containment, protection, handling, delivery or display of goods, at any stage in the transportation of the goods from the producer to the end-user.

Are any categories of packaging exempt?

The following four categories are exempt from the tax:

Products used for the immediate packaging of licensed human medicine
Permanently recorded as set aside for non-packaging use
Used as transport packaging to import multiple goods safely into the UK
Used in aircraft, ship and rail goods stores

Why it is important

We understand the importance of the new tax, which provides a clear economic incentive for businesses to use recycled material in their plastic packaging, which in turn creates more significant levels of recycling and collection of plastic waste. Therefore, less going to landfills.

Are any of the current products exempt?

A selection of packaging products available are already exempt from the tax. For example: