Plastic tax: the tax, suspended due to Covid, will come into effect in January 2021.

The tax on non-recycled plastic packaging could reach up to 80 cents per kilogram. Opposition groups argue that this is a cash-grab that will harm the supply chain, while the government sees it as an essential measure to reduce environmental impact. Here's what it's all about.

di |
PLASTIC TAX

"The plastic tax will start on January 1, 2021. We suspended it due to the Covid emergency, but I can confirm that it will come into force next year." This was stated by environment Minister, Sergio Costa, which denied rumors of a possible removal of the measure. Contained in the bill "State Budget for the 2020 financial year," the tax has been heavily contested by the opposition, who accuse the Government of having imposed a new tax just to find the funds needed to finance the economic recovery. Furthermore, according to critics, the measure will seriously damage a supply chain that is among the most productive in Italy: 11 thousand companies work in the sector, with 110 thousand employees, which produce approximately 30 billion in revenue.

PLASTIC TAX

The Government obviously defends the measure and Legambiente talk about one sacrosanct norm, although it can be improved. The executive's decision is part of a community context: the European Union has been studying measures for years to stem the spread of products in plastic bags, specifically, those more harmful to the environmentFor this reason, what will come into force in January will be a real European plastic tax, which will be calculated on the basis of the weight of the waste for an amount of 0,80 euros per kilogram.

ALSO READ: How to Eliminate Plastic in Three Steps. All the Items We Can Replace

WHAT THE PLASTIC TAX PROVIDES FOR

The measure, as stated in the conclusions of the European summit on Next Generation US e budget 2021-2027 of July, will also serve to finance the important disbursement planned for the Recovery funds: "As a first step, a new own resource based on non-recycled plastic waste will be introduced, which will apply from 1 January 2021." Italy will receive from the extraordinary plan approved by the Council, which will have to be ratified by the European Parliament, 209 billion, a higher figure than the 172,7 of the Commission's original plan, but only the share of financing has increased (from 91 to 127), while the share of non-repayable grants remains unchanged.

Once it comes into force, the taxation will include a regressive mechanism to prevent the tax burden from being too burdensome for the lower income brackets. What seems inevitable, however, is that it will have a strong impact on final consumption, with an inevitable increase in food prices. packaging, which by market rules will tend to be less widespread.

Want to see a selection of our news?

Don't Waste