The UK government's decision to defer a £1.7bn plastic packaging tax, originally set to be imposed in October 2024, has come under scrutiny following the revelation of lobbying efforts by Britain's major food brands, The Guardian reported.
The delay, prompted by concerns over cost and inflationary pressures, has sparked criticism from environmental groups and calls for the Labour government to implement a scheme.
This extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, designed to make companies responsible for the recycling of their packaging waste, has faced a one-year postponement.
The scheme, targeting producers of packaging for consumer goods like soft drinks and confectionery, was intended to incentivise the use of sustainable packaging through a fee structure.
However, the proposed charges of up to £605 per tonne have been delayed after lobbying by key industry trade bodies.
According to internal government records, three trade associations representing hundreds of food and drink companies argued against the scheme's immediate implementation.
The records, obtained by the Observer and Democracy for Sale, reveal a series of private meetings where industry representatives voiced concerns over the financial burden of the scheme amidst economic challenges.
Greenpeace UK's political campaigner Rudy Schulkind criticised the previous government's handling of the policy, stating, “They need to show their mettle and stare down the lobbyists.”
Schulkind's comments reflect the urgency felt by environmentalists for the current Labour government to take decisive action on the issue.
During a stakeholder meeting on 15 March 2023, officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the British Retail Consortium, the Food and Drink Federation, and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment agreed to monthly discussions, excluding environmental organisations.
The lobbyists' concerns centred on the economic impact of the scheme, with suggestions to pause and re-evaluate the approach.
The industry's push for a delay was met with initial resistance from Defra officials, yet the government eventually announced the scheme's postponement in July 2023.
Despite acknowledging the significant issue of plastic waste, the industry leaders are seeking greater control over recycling processes and the governance of the EPR scheme.
The delay represents a setback to a strategy first proposed in 2018, with environmental consultant and EPR expert Dominic Hogg criticising the slow progress.
Concerns have been raised that the scheme's costs could lead to price increases for consumers.
However, recent government estimates for the base fees have been lowered following continued industry lobbying, a move welcomed by the British Beer and Pub Association.
