Fall of 6% in plastic packaging tax receipts since last year

Plastic packaging tax (PPT) receipts in 2023-24 were £285m – a decrease of 6% on the previous year when the figures was £285m according to HMRC statistics.

As of 24 July 2024 there were 4 669 businesses registered for the tax – compared to 4 142 in August 2023.

Fully 42% of the total plastic packaging manufactured in and imported into the UK was declared as taxable under the PPT. Of the remaining 58% some 46% contained 30% or more recycled plastic 11% was either exported intended for export or converted and less than 1% was exempt because it was used for the immediate packaging of human medicines.

The tax was introduced in April 2022 making this the first year the statistics could be compared. The tax applies to manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging components which contain less than 30% recycled...