Plastic Packaging Tax Summary

GETTING DOWN TO BRASS TAX

The Plastic Packaging Tax will apply to the production and import of plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content. Last week, we advised the Government has published a summary of responses to the recent consultation on the tax. 

And here is a good summary of the draft legislation. You may also be interested in the Government's paper "Introduction of a new plastic packaging tax".

POSITIVE PACKAGING

Flexible packaging can have a positive impact on the prevention of packaging waste. That's the message in the latest video infographic from Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE).

CRITICAL DEMAND

During the COVID pandemic, there has been an increased demand for food packaging. Our purpose to protect, present, and preserve food has never been more critical.

AND THE WINNERS ARE …

The full list of winners in The Grocer New Product Awards is now available. Spicy examples include Saffron Tree as a Ready Meals winner for Gosht ka Salan, and Mindful Chef being highly recommended for Panang Chicken Curry with Black Rice.

PACKAGING PICKS

• Mellow Yellow … Higgidy's yellow foil ready meal packaging for their vegetarian and plant-based range has attracted attention. Of course, no foil tray is complete without the right lidding solution.
• Square Goes … Tesco have redesigned their cheese packaging to save 260 tonnes of plastic a year. They've switched from the square block shape with a re-sealable zip to rectangular packaging.   
• Fundamental Knowledge … The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has launched a new e-learning course "Sustainable Plastic Packaging – The Fundamentals of Good Design".
• Fruitful Opportunities … Packaging Automation has taken a look at how automation can help growers in the soft fruit sector. And Proseal are showcasing their tray sealing technology at Asia Fruit Logistica.

WHAT'S WORSE THAN PLASTIC …

Threats to the environment

A team of leading environmental experts have warned that the current war on plastic is detracting from the bigger threats to the environment, for example, climate change and biodiversity loss.

Glass bottles

Glass bottles have a greater impact on the environment than plastic ones, according to a new study. Researchers found that glass is more detrimental because it is mined from rare materials and requires more fossil fuels to produce and ship.

Paper and cotton bags

The BBC explains why paper and cotton bags can be worse for the environment than plastic ones that are recycled.

TIS THE SEASON …

For Christmas TV advertising

As Kevin the Carrot, from Aldi, vies for popularity with Sainsbury's Gravy Song, and Tesco cancels the naughty list, Creative Boom has reviewed this year's TV ads so far.

And, if you're interested in how they do it without snow down under, here's Coles and Woolworth’s.

DATES FROM THIS WEEK'S DIARY

America Recycles Day – 15th
Raising awareness about recycling and the purchasing of recycled products. The Flexible Packaging Association thought it the perfect day to announce that the Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF) consortium’s flexible plastic packaging recycling pilot program has been deemed successful ushering in a new way to recycle. 

International Men's Day – 19th
Sainsbury's celebrated by launching a series of podcasts telling the stories of inspirational men from across their business - the first featuring Chief Marketing Officer Mark Given.

From the KM team … Stay Safe, Keep Up The Good Work, and Value Plastic.