Plastic Packaging Tax
The UK Plastic Packaging Tax charges £217.85 per tonne (2024/25) on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled content, incentivising the use of recycled materials.
What is Plastic Packaging Tax?
Introduced in April 2022, the Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging manufactured in or imported to the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic. It is designed to create economic incentives for using recycled plastic and developing recycling infrastructure. The tax applies to plastic packaging whether it is empty or filled. Exempt packaging includes that with 30%+ recycled content, small producers (under 10 tonnes per year), and packaging used for certain medicinal products.
Practical Examples
A consumer goods company reformulates its packaging to include 35% post-consumer recycled plastic, eliminating £500,000 annual tax liability.
An importer of packaged goods registers for the Plastic Packaging Tax and calculates its liability based on the weight of non-compliant packaging imported.
How Climatise Helps
Climatise helps organisations track the carbon impact of packaging material choices, supporting the business case for switching to recycled content that also reduces tax liability.
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