BPF Releases Statement In Response To 2020 Budget Announcement

In response to the government’s announcement on 11 March 2020 that it is introducing a tax on plastic packaging that does not incorporate at least 30% recycled content, the British Plastics Federation issued the following statement:

As an industry, we want to play our part in leaving the environment in a better state for future generations. Increasing the use of recycled material – where possible – is one way of doing this. We are pleased that this proposal includes pre-filled packaging, as otherwise it risked disadvantaging UK businesses, driving jobs overseas and increasing carbon emissions.

Concerns remain, however, that the tax will be applied to packaging that cannot incorporate recycled content due to existing food contact and safety legislation. We look forward to working with the government during the upcoming consultation to address these matters. 

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) hopes that the money raised by this tax will be invested in upgrading the UK’s collection and recycling infrastructure. The whole supply chain has already requested that the government address this matter urgently via reforms to the existing PRN system. 

We also welcome the two-year extension of the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme. As an organisation that manages the CCA for the plastics industry, we know this scheme is valued and has helped to significantly reduce energy use.