BPF Statement in Response to Budget

Summary statement

The presence of plastics in the ocean is an issue that is rightly concerning the public. However, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) urges the government to look at options that address the root cause of this global problem, rather than embracing seemingly quick-win, populist strategies.

A tax that ultimately increases costs for the consumer does not provide a viable solution to today’s issues — the UK accounts for only 0.2% of marine litter and the plastic bag charge has not reduced general littering. Instead, the UK needs a strategy to increase on-the-go recycling, a system enabling clear national communications and the enforcement of fines to make it universally understood that littering is unacceptable and irresponsible.

The BPF looks forward to working with government to develop rounded solutions that will increase recycling, overall resource efficiency and reduce all litter. 

Full statement

In response to the announcement in the budget today that the Chancellor is initiating a call for evidence on whether certain plastic packaging products should be subject to further taxation, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) wishes to make the following statement.

It is important that any interventions from government are effective, evidence-based, maximise recycling and minimise the amount of this valuable and recyclable material being lost to the environment. At this point in time, the BPF does not feel that taxation is the best way of achieving this.

The presence of plastics in the ocean is an issue that is rightly concerning the public. However, the BPF urges the government to look at options that address the root cause of this global problem, rather than embracing seemingly quick-win, populist strategies. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation notes that only 2% of marine litter comes from Europe and the USA combined.[1] Recent research found that 88–95% of plastic in the ocean comes from just 10 rivers: none are in the UK or Europe.[2] The BPF has extrapolated from available data and estimates that only 0.2% of ocean litter can be attributed to the UK. It is therefore essential that this issue is tackled at a global level and it is hard to understand how taxing certain products within the UK will have any notable impact.  

When plastics unfortunately enter the marine environment from within the UK, it is typically due to the irresponsible disposal of plastic products through littering or dumping them in the sea. Placing a tax on one material without tackling the underlying behaviour will only change the composition of litter, not prevent it. In addition, singling out plastics is unlikely to have the impact on litter some may expect. Authoritative studies into the composition of litter such as the 2014 KBT INCPEN Litter Composition Survey suggest that only 17% of litter is plastic. The same study found that only 2.1% of litter is plastic bottles, which account for only 20% of all beverage litter.

The plastic carrier bag charge has reduced the use of these items but plastic bags and packaging products are not analogous and such comparisons are not helpful. Plastic packaging products cannot simply be substituted in the same way that plastic bags can without considerably increasing CO2 emissions due to increased food waste; an increase in the volume, bulk and weight of packaging; and an increase in the resources required to produce packaging from alternative materials. The plastic carrier bag charge has not reduced general littering either: it has increased since the introduction of the charge.

It is important to note that taxing plastic packaging products could result in negative environmental and economic consequences. Plastics offer unique, functional benefits and reduce food waste, CO2 emissions and protect products in ways no other material can. A study has shown that if plastic packaging was replaced by alternative materials it would result in 2.7 times more greenhouse gases emissions. That is the equivalent of 61 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents per year, which equates to an extra 21 million cars on the road.[3]

A tax that ultimately increases costs for the consumer does not provide a viable solution to today’s issues. The UK needs a strategy to increase on-the-go recycling, a system enabling clear national communications and the enforcement of fines to make it universally understood that littering is unacceptable and irresponsible. The BPF would like to see a comprehensive strategy for collecting and recycling all items that are consumed on-the-go and the harmonisation of kerbside collection schemes throughout the UK. This reform could potentially happen through revisions to the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

Ultimately, we all want to protect our planet, to stop plastics from wrongly entering the sea and for recycling rates to be maximised. The BPF hopes that the call for evidence is an opportunity for all the facts to be considered and that the UK can find the best solution to keeping plastics productive within a prospering circular economy. However, we do not feel that taxing particular plastic packaging products is that solution.

The BPF looks forward to working with government to develop rounded solutions that will increase recycling, overall resource efficiency and reduce all litter. 

Further information:

www.marinelitterthefacts.com

Frequently Asked Questions: Plastic Packaging