Plastic tax as an opportunity?

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Shortly before Christmas, the German government announced its intention to pass on the levy to be paid by Germany to the EU based on the amount of non-recycled plastic waste to distributors as early as January 1, 2024 in order to finance the federal budget. They would then have been asked to pay €800 per tonne of plastic packaging placed on the market.
In view of the complexity of the project, the introduction date was then postponed by one year to January 1, 2025.
“We expressly welcome this postponement,” explains Dr. Fritz Flanderka, Managing Director of the Reclay Group. “In our opinion, the time gained should be used to develop a solution that both generates the necessary government revenue and has a corresponding ecological steering effect.”

Spain shows how it can be done

In Spain, such a measure was already introduced on January 1, 2023. Recycled material is exempt from the tax here, provided that it can be proven via a specified route by means of certified evidence that it is actually recycled material.

Plastic disposal as an opportunity for plastic recycling

If implemented correctly, Dr. Flanderka believes that the levy offers the opportunity to promote the recycling of plastics and the use of recyclates and thus further develop the circular economy for plastics. “We are therefore eagerly awaiting the upcoming discussion on the further design and will contribute our expertise to associations and working groups.”