EU tax on non-recycled plastic

The European Union is to introduce a levy on plastic waste from January 2021 as part of the bloc’s €750 billion coronavirus recovery fund agreement.

Proceeds from the tax will go directly to the EU, rather than the governments which collect them.

From 1 January 2021, a levy will be applied on all non-recycled plastics at a rate of €0.80/kg (€800 a tonne).

Further details on the tax will be worked out in a specific law and then be approved by the European Parliament and Council of the EU.