Running a business in the UK? You may already be aware of the plastic packaging tax, also known as PPT. This tax is of the utmost importance to anyone who is in retail, wholesale, removals, or any kind of e-commerce business. The question here arises: how is the tax going to affect you? This leads to the question: “what does this mean for my packaging, and how can I avoid extra costs?”
The concise answer to this question is that you should switch to better packaging materials—specifically, sustainable and eco-friendly options—which will help you save on unnecessary taxes while also contributing to a greener planet.
This article is all about this tax, what materials you can use to save on the taxes and what other important steps you must essentially undertake to ensure that you save up on the taxes.
What’s the Plastic Packaging Tax?
To cut down on the rampant generation of plastic waste, the government of the UK has levied a new tax on plastic packaging and other such things. Below is a simple breakdown of how this tax works.
- This tax primarily applies to items that contain plastics, specifically those made entirely of plastic or those containing less than 30% recycled plastic.
- This tax is charged at around £210- 223.69 per tonne (2025/26 rate).
- Businesses that manufacture or import more than 10 tonnes of plastic packaging in a year need to register.
In short, all you need to understand is that the more virgin plastic you use, the better it gets. But this is just the better version that you can attain. To attain what’s best, you need to switch from using certain plastic packaging stuff to other biodegradable or sustainable alternatives.
Why Switching Materials Matters
You might be wondering, “What is the reason for changing the entire setup?” I can end up paying taxes and go on with your older methods of packaging.” While you can continue using your older methods, it is advisable to adapt to the change, and the points below explain why embracing the new rule is more beneficial.
By using non-plastic alternatives, you can avoid incurring additional costs.
- Stay compliant: Meeting the 30% recycled content threshold keeps you on the right side of regulations.
- Boost your brand: Customers notice when packaging is sustainable — and they prefer it.
Packaging Materials That Can Help You Adapt
Now, let’s get practical and understand things in more detail. To do away with the taxes forever and understand things, you need to ensure that you go with the best packaging materials that can not only help you in saving a lot of money but also help in making Earth a better place for your upcoming generations.
1. Newspaper Offcuts: A Simple Swap for Bubble Wrap
As a business owner, you might already know the important role that the bubble wraps play in safeguarding your items, but at the same time, you also know how plastic-heavy they are. The best solution to safeguard the fragile items that you are shipping is to replace these bubble wraps with the newspaper offcuts. These offcuts have several uses and can be the best alternative for the bubble wraps.
2. Removal Boxes: Cardboard Over Plastic
If you need to ship heavy items in large quantities, many businesses prefer using plastic boxes; however, while these boxes protect your items, they do not protect the environment. The best alternative to these plastic boxes is the removal boxes. These boxes are made of cardboard and are strong, sturdy and durable in nature.
3. Postage Bags: Choose Smarter Mailing Options
Mailing bags are popular for clothing, books, and small products. The main issue is that these bags are made of plastic, which lasts for thousands of years and doesn’t decay. The best solution to these plastic mailing bags is the postage bags. These bags are made from recycled paper and therefore pose no threat to the environment.
Summing Up
To sum up, there are a number of options in the form of sustainable packaging materials that you can use to stay away from these taxes introduced by the government. All you need to do is get in touch with a good packaging items seller and get the sustainable packaging options delivered to your doorstep so that you can ship your items easily without the guilt of polluting the environment and paying taxes in return.
