We are a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of returnable and recyclable plastic packaging solutions, and would like to share our perspective on the imminent UK plastic tax and its likely impact on brands in the food manufacturing sector. The changing regulation will see additional taxation on plastic packaging imported to or manufactured in the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic, at a rate of £200 per tonne. As a designer and manufacturer of durable containers for the food processing supply chain, we are able to offer insight into the current state of play for brands in view of the incoming levy. As a business, we are in dialogue with our customers across the UK, and have noted the legislation will prove to be a real test of the sector’s supply chain sustainability and how far the food industry has come in recent years.Nick James, Sales Director at Schoeller Allibert UK, explained: “The incoming plastic tax is set to be a real game-changer for food processors. A lot of the sustainability ‘nice-to-haves’ are becoming essentials of business, and naturally this starts with a watertight manufacturing supply chain. We’re set to see a real litmus test for progress as the plastic packaging that’s so crucial to food production comes under the microscope. “We’re fully ahead of the curve with our offer to food processors, and we’ve recently announced a new sustainability task force designed to take the pressure away from our customers. Our business homes in on supply chain sustainability, upgrading existing logistics with bulk and handheld containers, IBCs and dollies that comprise recyclable plastic and can therefore better support a business-wide sustainability strategy. “Crucially, our solutions won’t incur additional costs once the plastic tax is in effect, thanks to their high level of recycled plastic content. While we’re rightly looking at all plastic use in the light of the incoming plastic tax, there’s opportunity for producers to shore up supply chains with more eco-friendly logistical choices that run the whole gamut of food manufacturing, from the production floor through to delivery.” As a business we have recently underlined our commitments to the food processing sector with the formation of a sustainability task force. This team will use its diverse expertise to guide Schoeller Allibert UK customers through legislative changes wrought by the UK Packaging Tax, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and European Packaging Levy. Nick concluded: “One of the key advantages of Schoeller Allibert UK is that we’ve put supply chain sustainability top of the agenda long before it became an obligation. When brands partner with us to replace outdated distribution systems, equipment and containers, they’re not just getting our state-of-the-art technology, but our deep understanding of how to drive real bottom-line value through sustainable supply chain operations.”