{"id":6349,"date":"2026-06-24T08:28:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/?p=6349"},"modified":"2026-06-25T09:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:59:15","slug":"plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less","title":{"rendered":"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026, charged on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled content. If you manufacture or import 10 tonnes or more of plastic packaging a year, it affects your business.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll cover:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The 2026 Plastic Packaging Tax rate and how it\u2019s calculated<\/li>\n<li>Who must register and pay, and the 10-tonne threshold<\/li>\n<li>What counts as recycled content, and the change coming in 2027<\/li>\n<li>Practical ways to reduce your liability<\/li>\n<li>Which RAJAPACK ranges help cut your Plastic Packaging Tax bill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What is the Plastic Packaging Tax?<\/h2>\n<p>The Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) is a UK charge on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic. It was introduced in April 2022 to make recycled material more attractive than virgin plastic. HMRC collects it, and the rate rises most years in line with inflation.<\/p>\n<p>The tax applies to packaging made in the UK or imported into the UK. It covers the packaging itself, whether it arrives empty on a pallet or already filled with goods.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6356 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-bottles-crushed.avif\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>How much is the Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026?<\/h2>\n<p>The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026, up from \u00a3223.69 in 2025. The increase follows the government policy of raising the rate each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.<\/p>\n<p>The charge applies only to plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content. Packaging that meets or beats the 30% threshold isn\u2019t taxed, but it still counts towards your registration total.<\/p>\n<h2>Who pays the Plastic Packaging Tax?<\/h2>\n<p>UK manufacturers and importers pay the tax, not the brands that use the packaging. You must <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/check-if-you-need-to-register-for-plastic-packaging-tax\">register with HMRC<\/a> if you make or import 10 tonnes or more of finished plastic packaging components in any 12-month period.<\/p>\n<p>Registration is required even when no tax is due. If all your packaging contains 30% or more recycled content, you still register once you pass the 10-tonne threshold. For the wider producer obligations that sit alongside the tax, see our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/epr-explained-what-it-means-for-you\">EPR<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Registered businesses file quarterly returns and keep records for at least six years.<\/p>\n<h2>What counts as recycled content: PCR vs post-industrial<\/h2>\n<p>Recycled content means recycled plastic in the packaging, measured by weight on each component. To be exempt, a component needs at least 30% recycled plastic. The percentage is evidenced through supplier specification sheets and records.<\/p>\n<p>There are two broad sources. Post-consumer recyclate (PCR) comes from material the public has used and returned. Post-industrial, or pre-consumer, waste comes from manufacturing offcuts and scrap reprocessed before reaching a consumer.<\/p>\n<h3>The change to recycled content rules in 2027<\/h3>\n<p>From April 2027, pre-consumer waste will no longer count as recycled content for the tax. The definition shifts to post-consumer recyclate only. If you currently hit the 30% threshold using factory offcuts, you will need to re-source material or face the charge.<\/p>\n<p>A mass balance approach is also due from 2027. It will let certified chemically recycled plastic count towards the threshold, opening another route for packaging that\u2019s hard to make from mechanical recyclate.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6353 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-bubble-wrap.avif\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>What the recycled content evidence consultation means<\/h2>\n<p>The government opened a 12-week consultation on 18 May 2026, seeking stronger evidence and certification requirements for recycled content claims, with responses due by 10 August 2026. The aim is to tackle unreliable or fraudulent claims, particularly on imported packaging where checks are harder.<\/p>\n<p>If the changes go ahead, supplier declarations alone may not be enough. You could need certified evidence from a third party. It\u2019s sensible to review now how you document recycled content across your supply chain. To understand how UK and EU packaging rules connect, read our explainer on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/ppwr-what-the-eu-packaging-regulation-means-for-uk-businesses\">PPWR<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>How to reduce your Plastic Packaging Tax liability<\/h2>\n<p>The most direct way to cut your bill is to raise recycled content above 30%, which removes the charge on that component. Switching to paper-based alternatives where the format allows takes the packaging out of scope entirely.<\/p>\n<p>Three practical routes help:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Move to packaging with 30% or more recycled plastic, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/packaging-tape-adhesives\/polypropylene-tape\/raja-low-noise-polypropylene-tape-100-recycled_OFF_51953.html\">recycled tape<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/retail-gift-packaging\/plastic-carrier-bags\/standard-plastic-carrier-bags-100-recycled_OFF_UK_00879.html\">recycled carrier bags<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Replace plastic with paper where it suits the product, for example <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/protective-packaging\/paper-packaging\/recycled-kraft-paper-rolls_PDT04763.html\">recycled kraft paper<\/a> for wrapping and void fill<\/li>\n<li>Reduce the weight of plastic you use by right-sizing packaging and down-gauging film<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Audit your packaging by weight first. You cannot manage the bill until you know which components fall below the threshold. For more on segregating and recovering materials, see our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/recycle-packaging-materials\">recycling packaging materials<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3850 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/can-paper-bags-recycled-430x268.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"430\" height=\"268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/can-paper-bags-recycled-430x268.jpg 430w, https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/can-paper-bags-recycled-768x479.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/can-paper-bags-recycled-770x480.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/can-paper-bags-recycled.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Which RAJAPACK ranges help cut your Plastic Packaging Tax bill<\/h2>\n<p>RAJAPACK ranges can lower your bill in two ways. The first is recycled plastic that meets the 30% threshold. The second is non-plastic material that falls outside the tax. Both cut your exposure without changing how you pack.<\/p>\n<p>For plastic formats, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/packaging-tape-adhesives\/polypropylene-tape\/raja-low-noise-polypropylene-tape-100-recycled_OFF_51953.html\">tape made from 100% recycled polypropylene<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/retail-gift-packaging\/plastic-carrier-bags\/recycled-plastic-carrier-bags_OFF_UK_00553.html\">carrier bags made from 100% recycled plastic<\/a> both clear the 30% threshold. For paper, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/protective-packaging\/paper-packaging\/recycled-kraft-paper-rolls_PDT04763.html\">recycled kraft paper<\/a> replaces plastic film for wrapping and void fill, and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/cardboard-boxes\/standard-boxes\/double-wall-boxes_C101012.html\">double wall cardboard boxes<\/a> are made from at least 70% recycled board. Neither is plastic, so both sit outside the tax.<\/p>\n<h2>What to do next<\/h2>\n<p>The 2026 rate rise is modest, but the direction is clear: virgin plastic keeps getting more expensive to use. The 2027 shift to post-consumer content only is the bigger change, so it\u2019s worth planning for now.<\/p>\n<p>Start by weighing your packaging and identifying which components sit below 30% recycled content. From there, recycled or paper alternatives can take the easy wins off your bill.<\/p>\n<p>Want to lower your Plastic Packaging Tax exposure? Browse RAJAPACK\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/environment\/eco-responsible-selection_C9630.html\">eco-responsible packaging range<\/a> and switch the components that are costing you most.<\/p>\n<h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026 on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content.<\/li>\n<li>You must register with HMRC once you make or import 10 tonnes or more of plastic packaging in a 12-month period, even if no tax is due.<\/li>\n<li>From April 2027, only post-consumer recycled content will count towards the 30% threshold, so pre-consumer offcuts will no longer qualify.<\/li>\n<li>Raising recycled content above 30% or switching to paper alternatives removes the charge on that component.<\/li>\n<li>Several RAJAPACK ranges cut your bill: recycled tape and carrier bags clear the 30% threshold, while paper and board sit outside the tax entirely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>FAQ: Plastic Packaging Tax<\/h2>\n<h3>Do I pay Plastic Packaging Tax if my packaging is over 30% recycled?<\/h3>\n<p>No tax is due on packaging with 30% or more recycled content, but it still counts towards your 10-tonne registration threshold and must be reported.<\/p>\n<h3>Is imported packaging subject to the tax?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. If you import finished plastic packaging components and pass the 10-tonne threshold, the tax applies to any with less than 30% recycled content.<\/p>\n<h3>How often do I file Plastic Packaging Tax returns?<\/h3>\n<p>Returns are filed quarterly, with periods ending 30th June, 30th September, 31st December and 31st March, due by the last working day of the following month.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the tax apply to packaging I export?<\/h3>\n<p>Plastic packaging that is exported can usually qualify for relief, though you still need records to support the claim.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I prove the recycled content of my packaging?<\/h3>\n<p>Recycled content is evidenced through supplier specification sheets and records kept for at least six years, and certification requirements may tighten following consultation.<\/p>\n<h3>Is cardboard packaging covered by the Plastic Packaging Tax?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The tax applies to plastic packaging components only, so paper and board packaging falls outside it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026, charged on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled content. If you manufacture or import 10 tonnes [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":6354,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[962],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environmentally-friendly-packaging"],"acf":{"keep_image_height":false},"yoast_head":"\n<title>Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less | RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026 for packaging with recycled content below 30%. See who pays and how to cut your bill.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less | RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026 for packaging with recycled content below 30%. See who pays and how to cut your bill.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-24T08:28:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-25T09:59:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"940\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"788\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Philip Price\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Philip Price\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"Philip Price\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/81ec07f54da6a3c0e8fa0f9f503bfd15\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2026-06-24T08:28:18+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-06-25T09:59:15+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 1213,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png\",\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"Environment and packaging\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less | RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2026-06-24T08:28:18+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-06-25T09:59:15+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026 for packaging with recycled content below 30%. See who pays and how to cut your bill.\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png\",\n\t            \"width\": 940,\n\t            \"height\": 788\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog\",\n\t            \"description\": \"The latest packaging news from our experts\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": \"required name=search_term_string\"\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"RAJA UK\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/logo@3x.png\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/logo@3x.png\",\n\t                \"width\": 762,\n\t                \"height\": 255,\n\t                \"caption\": \"RAJA UK\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/81ec07f54da6a3c0e8fa0f9f503bfd15\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Philip Price\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88a01a715028615af41d0e3aadfb6405?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88a01a715028615af41d0e3aadfb6405?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Philip Price\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"description\": \"Philip has more than 30 years experience in the packaging industry, with over 20 years at RAJA and, as Product Data Manager, provides key support to our teams in packaging innovation, legislation data and product sustainability.\",\n\t            \"sameAs\": [\n\t                \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/philip-price-37a91648\/\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/author\/ppricerajapack-co-uk\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less | RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog","description":"The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026 for packaging with recycled content below 30%. See who pays and how to cut your bill.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less | RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog","og_description":"The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026 for packaging with recycled content below 30%. See who pays and how to cut your bill.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less","og_site_name":"RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog","article_published_time":"2026-06-24T08:28:18+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-25T09:59:15+00:00","og_image":[{"width":940,"height":788,"url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Philip Price","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Philip Price","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less"},"author":{"name":"Philip Price","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/81ec07f54da6a3c0e8fa0f9f503bfd15"},"headline":"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less","datePublished":"2026-06-24T08:28:18+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-25T09:59:15+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less"},"wordCount":1213,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png","articleSection":["Environment and packaging"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less","url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less","name":"Plastic Packaging Tax in 2026: what\u2019s changed and how to pay less | RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png","datePublished":"2026-06-24T08:28:18+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-25T09:59:15+00:00","description":"The Plastic Packaging Tax is \u00a3228.82 per tonne from 1st April 2026 for packaging with recycled content below 30%. See who pays and how to cut your bill.","inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/plastic-packaging-tax-in-2026-whats-changed-and-how-to-pay-less#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/plastic-packaging-tax.png","width":940,"height":788},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/","name":"RAJAPACK UK Packaging Blog","description":"The latest packaging news from our experts","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#organization","name":"RAJA UK","url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/logo@3x.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/logo@3x.png","width":762,"height":255,"caption":"RAJA UK"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/81ec07f54da6a3c0e8fa0f9f503bfd15","name":"Philip Price","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88a01a715028615af41d0e3aadfb6405?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88a01a715028615af41d0e3aadfb6405?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Philip Price"},"description":"Philip has more than 30 years experience in the packaging industry, with over 20 years at RAJA and, as Product Data Manager, provides key support to our teams in packaging innovation, legislation data and product sustainability.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/philip-price-37a91648\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/author\/ppricerajapack-co-uk"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6349"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6349"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6349\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6360,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6349\/revisions\/6360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajapack.co.uk\/blog-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}