Berry M&H overcomes recycled plastic scarcity as UK Plastic Packaging Tax deadline looms
23 Jun 2022 --- Berry M&H is overcoming recycled plastic scarcity in the UK with supply from its own recycling plant, as demand for tax-compliant packaging grows. The rigid plastic specialist offers a range of containers with 35% or more post-consumer recycled (PCR) material for the food and beverage, personal care, healthcare and homecare markets.
The UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), introduced in April, will charge businesses that manufacture or import plastic packaging consisting of less than 30% recycled plastic content at a rate of £200 (US$244) per metric ton. UK businesses must submit their tax return before the end of July.
“For many products, we already offer 35% PCR material for PE and PET. We have our own recycling plant in the UK called PLASgran, and we are in the process of opening a second site – PLASgran 2 – which will offer recycled PP. Therefore, we can guarantee supply of PCR material,” Martyn Magee, sales director UK & Ireland at Berry CPI Distribution Division, tells PackagingInsights.
“Some of our products are exempted from the UK PPT. We have been on a journey with our customers to educate them and ourselves on what we can do to support them during this time.”
“It helps that we have our recycling plant, but the supply of recycled plastic is scarce in some areas for specific polymers. However, we are in a good position as our team has achieved continuity of supply.”
Martyn Magee, sales director UK & Ireland at Berry CPI Distribution Division, at Packaging Innovations 2022.
Tax return reminder
Companies that manufacture or import ten or more metric tons of plastic packaging must register for the tax through the HMRC website and submit their records on or before July 29. Failure to do so may result in charged penalties, such as late payment interest on the outstanding tax from the date the amount was due.
Businesses must do their due diligence checks by capturing and keeping records of all weight details of each plastic packaging component to the nearest kilogram.
Josh Remi, commercial manager of environmental consultancy Ecoveritas, explains: “The PPT deadline is looming – and businesses must ensure they are ready to submit their returns on time. Ecoveritas recognizes that this is a challenging time for UK businesses, particularly amid the supply chain crisis and limited availability of recycled substrates. But now is not the time to drag one’s heels.”
“To submit your PPT return, you must have registered on the HMRC website and report weight details of each plastic packaging component, including those exported, and detail evidence of recycled content. This includes how you’ve calculated the percentage of plastic, its source and what product lines the content is used in.”
Ecoveritas recently launched a data collection vehicle (DCV) to support UK businesses through the first reporting quarter. The tool captures robust, quality data and assists in accurately calculating a company’s tax liability. 
UK businesses must submit their PPT return on or before July 29.
“Our DCV is free to use and enables companies to map the data they currently have onto the tool,” says Remi. “It provides a great framework for collating the data metrics required while also highlighting missing data, allowing businesses to adjust their data in time for the submission deadline on July 29.”
Personal care circularity
Last year, Berry Global introduced its next-generation packaging B Circular Range, leveraging its engineering expertise and proprietary processes to help personal care brands meet circular economy targets with more environmentally sustainable solutions.
Highlights from the first suite included Boston Round bottles and Flip Top and Tube closures incorporating up to 100% PCR plastic, refillable jars with up to 100% PCR content, a lighter weight monomaterial lip care stick and refillable roll-on stick, as well as airless dispensers with lighter weight and monomaterial construction, recycled content and refillable capabilities.
Berry M&H offers a range of containers with 35% or more PCR material.
“Through our B Circular Range, we lightweight packaging and use more recycled content. We are reducing our carbon footprint and looking at refillable and reusable packaging,” says Magee.
At the recent Packaging Innovations trade show in Birmingham, UK, Berry M&H exhibited refill solutions for its Infinity jar range, enabling consumers to keep the outer jar and purchase refill packs for waste reduction.
“We’ve got some concentrate refill options coming through soon. We’ve also got trigger sprays in PCR, so we are looking at all different market sectors, including healthcare,” adds Magee.
At Packaging Innovations, we also spoke to Wipak, Camvac, Mondi, Schur Star Systems and ATS-Tanner about the impacts of the UK PPT.
By Joshua Poole
