Unpack the Tax

Supporting small local businesses navigating the plastic packaging tax

The UK Government Plastic Packaging Tax comes into force on 1 April 2022, aiming to incentivise the use of recycled material in the production of plastic packaging. This new law will apply to many smaller local manufacturers and importers of packaging (complete or components) that have never complied with similar laws in the past.

The SMI Hub Unpack the Tax project will help your business to:

• Navigate a complicated set of guidelines
• Use the guidelines to provide advice about any need to comply with the regulations
• Understand what packaging might be in scope for registration & reporting
• Understand whether you need to report directly / ask your suppliers / inform your customers
• Explore where it’s possible to improve sustainability and avoid unintended consequences whilst complying with the tax.

You’ll have the opportunity to hear about challenges other SMEs are having in this area, with the potential to share tips and learn about how to be a more sustainable business whilst engaging your supply chain to help the whole community improve together.

Project Overview

Depending on eligibility, you’ll be invited to an initial consultation with one of the team to understand your plastic packaging challenges, if you qualify for the tax, and to explore any steps you need to take to comply with the tax.

Following this initial consultation, the Hub will analyse responses from all SMEs signed up for common issues and to highlight where assistance, further research or clarification is required:

• The SMI Hub will use its polymer & materials expertise, research and scientific literature to understand the potential solutions to challenges
• The SMI Hub will feedback to HMRC some of the common challenges facing SMEs and facilitate introductions if clarifications are required
• Debunk common misconceptions or myths about using more recycled content.

At the end of the project, you’ll be invited to join a workshop, where the SMI Hub will share outcomes from the analysis and research addressing key areas of concern and challenges to better prepare your business for the tax.

There may also be the opportunity for further collaboration on a more bespoke project related to plastic packaging innovation following Unpack the Tax.

Register your interest:

Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Company

Eligibility:

Do you have a business address in Greater Manchester?
—Please choose an option—YesNo

Does your business employ <250 staff and have a turnover of <€50m?
—Please choose an option—YesNo

Do you import, manufacture or modify plastic packaging?
—Please choose an option—YesNo

Do you import, manufacture or modify 10 tonnes or more of packaging a year?
—Please choose an option—YesNoUnsure

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