There is a consensus that unnecessary plastic waste must be urgently avoided and – where plastic remains unavoidable – as much of it as possible must be recycled.
1 Background
As the climate crisis becomes increasingly tangible, the topics of environmental protection and sustainability are rapidly gaining in importance. One major aspect is the containment of environmentally harmful plastic waste.
2 Current country overview on the taxation of plastic packaging
Although no longer in the EU, but as a state recently acting, as of 01.04.2022, the UK introduced a tax on plastic packaging with a recycling content of less than 30% produced in or imported into the UK.
3 Current overview of countries with existing / alternative or without levies on plastic packaging
In countries such as Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia and Hungary, (environmental) levies on (plastic) packaging have, in various forms, existed for some time.
4 Challenges and recommendations for action
The diversity and complexity of existing and new national regulations pose challenges for businesses.
