Circular economy… worldwide changes

What changes worldwide could have the biggest impact on the circular economy? Read our selection for you for February 2022.

Guidance on the UK’s plastic packaging tax

The UK government has published guidance on the new plastic packaging tax clarifying which items are subject to the tax and which are not.

Plastic packaging items in scope include single-use bottles, product labels, protective film and crates. Items outside the scope include plastic cutlery, reusable coffee cups and reusable food storage boxes such as lunch boxes.

Goods will not fall under the new tax if the main purpose of the item is secondary storage. For example, toolboxes, earphone cases, and board game boxes are not included.

However, if the plastic packaging represents an integral part of the good – for example, printer cartridges, lighters and water filter cartridges – then it is subject to the tax.

To help businesses that handle plastic packaging to familiarise themselves with the tax and its requirements, Landbell Group company ERP UK has developed some useful resources.

Please contact us for more information and support.

Ireland presents national circular economy strategy

Ireland has become the latest EU member state to announce a national circular economy strategy. The strategy aims to help the country to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 51 percent by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050. Ireland hopes to tackle emissions from fossil fuels and manufacturing – which represent 55 percent and 45 percent of targeted emissions.

With the new strategy: “Focus is shifted away from the disposal of waste and instead towards the preservation of resources”. Much of the strategy is based on existing EU policy and legislation, including the EU Green Deal.

Furthermore, Dublin has been selected as the host city for the European Circular Economy Hotspot in 2023.

Learn more about the new strategy here.