Last wrap before plastics tax

From April 2022 UK businesses will be taxed £200 for every tonne of plastic they use that does not contain a minimum of 30% recycled material, and pallet wrap is subject to the tax. As a result, many businesses are already looking to replace their standard wrap with tax-exempt materials.

But, as Lindum’s in-house packaging technologist Rick Sellars warns, supplies are already limited: “The Plastics Tax is getting ever closer and pallet wrap with 30% recycled content will remove or limit the liabilities of the tax. For this reason, demand is already high and UK stocks are limited.

“There simply won’t be enough material on the market to satisfy demand if businesses wait until the last minute to make the change. So, I would strongly advise businesses not to wait until the last minute to make the switch.”

Lindum has recently launched a new range of pallet wrap made with 30% recycled content to add more sustainable options to its existing range, as well as help its customers avoid paying the new tax. The range also includes recycled content variations of its high-performance nano films.

Unlike 100% virgin polymer films, the range contains polythene resin material that has been recycled and then re-granulated. It also meets the stringent OPRL definition of ‘recycled’ and is compatible with a circular economy model. 

Mr Sellars adds: “Switching to these films should be a case of making a simple adjustment to existing equipment, so many businesses will find it a worthwhile investment come April.”

For more information, visit www.lindumpackaging.com