The government has announced plans to release its response to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) consultation by the end of this year. This announcement follows three Parliamentary Questions posed by Wera Hobhouse MP, the former Liberal Democrat spokesperson for energy and climate change, concerning chemical recycling. Hobhouse has been collaborating with the British Plastics Federation (BPF) to clarify the government’s stance on this policy area.
The PPT consultation, which ran for 12 weeks from 18 July to 10 October 2023, aimed to gather insights on applying a mass balance approach to assess the amount of chemically recycled plastic in packaging for tax purposes. It also sought opinions on the necessary controls and standards to ensure the integrity of the tax.
The government's responses to Hobhouse’s inquiries indicate that it views chemical recycling technologies as integral, alongside mechanical recycling, in facilitating the UK’s transition towards a circular economy. This approach aims to reduce the reliance on virgin plastic in production processes. Additionally, the government believes that initiatives like the PPT are essential for fostering innovation, growth, and employment within the waste management and recycling sectors, particularly in the realm of chemical recycling.
The BPF has expressed its commitment to working closely with politicians and stakeholders on chemical recycling to secure a beneficial outcome for the UK plastics industry. Following the election of Select Committee chairs, the BPF intends to write to all relevant chairs to request meetings after Parliament reconvenes on 7 October 2024, following the Party Conference season.
These developments signify an ongoing effort by the government and industry stakeholders to enhance recycling practices and promote sustainable use of plastic materials in the UK, as the consultation findings are anticipated to shape future policy directions.
You can see our previous article on the British Plastics Federation here, "BPF Unveils New Hub for Advancing the UK Plastics Industry".
