September 1, 2026 14:22

In the 2025-2026 financial year, the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) generated £250 million in revenue, down 4% from the £261 million recorded in the previous year, according to updated statistics published by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Introduced in April 2022, the tax applies to plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content.

Last year, 2.97 million tonnes of plastic packaging produced in or imported into the United Kingdom were declared, compared with 3.14 million tonnes in the 2024-2025 financial year. Compared with 2022-2023, the first year in which the tax was applied, declared volumes have fallen by around 13%.

The volume subject to PPT fell to 1.107 million tonnes, equivalent to 37% of the total, compared with 41% in 2022-2023.

Packaging containing at least 30% recycled plastic accounted for 1.506 million tonnes, or 51% of the total.
A further 337,000 tonnes fell into the category of packaging exported, intended for export or converted, while around 20,000 tonnes related to packaging intended for the immediate packaging of licensed human medicines, which is exempt from the tax.

For the financial year under review, the PPT rate was £223.69 per tonne. As of 13 August 2026, 5,142 businesses were registered for the tax.

The Plastic Packaging Tax applies in the United Kingdom to manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled plastic. Introduced on 1 April 2022 at a rate of £200 per tonne, the levy increased to £210.82 in 2023, then to £217.85 in 2024 and £223.69 in 2025.
From 1 April this year, the rate increased further to £228.82 per tonne.

© Polimerica -  Reproduction prohibited, all rights reserved