How Corrugated can help avoid the forthcoming PPT

On April 1st 2022, the brand-new Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) will be introduced in the United Kingdom, which will tax all packaging containing a significant portion of plastic that is less that 30% recycled – charging at a rate of £200 per metric tonne. The PPT will be charged to all packaging, except that of medicine for human consumption, goods exported within 12 months of manufacture, and packaging which secures the safe transit of goods in international trade.

This tax will thereby have a large ripple effect across a variety of industries, including consumer goods, food & beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and of course the packaging manufacturing industry. Introduced with a view to reducing the amount of plastic used in packaging within the United Kingdom, and further encourage the use of recycled plastics and alternative materials, the impact for some businesses could be considerable.

To mitigate the impact of this tax, as well as improve the environmental and sustainability credentials of a business, there are many alternative materials and innovative solutions which can be introduced in place of substances like single use plastic.

As a leading market alternative, corrugated and paper-based solutions can offer a variety of materials, designs, and benefits to suit each business and help to avoid the impact of the PPT.

One solution corrugated and paper-based packaging is able to provide is a direct swap from single use plastic to a corrugated alternative; things such as fruit trays and plastic sleeves can easily be switched for corrugated material, and they are recyclable, sustainable and just as effective.

This can also apply to the ecommerce markets; corrugated boxes and sleeves can easily be used to package parcels of any shape and size replacing plastic bag options. Furthermore, corrugated is a sustainable and much more environmentally friendly alternative, which often creates a much more pleasant looking packaging improving consumer experience and product sales value.

Another major use of single use plastic packaging is the internal plastic packaging of goods and void fill solutions (for the protection and presentation of products) which are so often made of non-recyclable plastic substances, such as polystyrene, and occur due to the difference between the dimensions of packaging and the size of the goods themselves.

Corrugated offers the ability to manufacture specially designed packaging solutions tailored specifically to a product, adding both protection and aesthetic value and therefore elevating consumer experience. Not only does this improve the quality of the packaging, it brings the environmental and financial benefits that will soon be so keenly sought out by businesses across the UK.

Corrugated companies are more than capable of facilitating this move away from plastic and assisting businesses in crafting innovative solutions for their own unique products. With years of experience doing just that, due to dedicated, innovative and successful design teams, a recyclable, sustainable alternative to taxed plastic is something which can most certainly be achieved. Thereby avoiding financial detriment and achieving more sustainable, consumer and environmentally minded packaging solutions across all sectors.