Several business and industry associations have sharply criticised the planned introduction of a municipal packaging tax in Osnabrück. The Bundesverband der Systemgastronomie e.V. (BdS), the Verein Türkischer Dönerhersteller in Europa e.V. (atdid), Dehoga Niedersachsen and the Handelsverband Deutschland e.V. see considerable economic, social and bureaucratic risks in the plan and consider the tax to be unsuitable for improving urban cleanliness in the long term.
The associations emphasise that they expressly support the goal of clean cities and municipalities. However, they believe that a municipal packaging tax would not help to solve existing problems, but would instead create new challenges. These include a significant increase in bureaucratic obligations, additional financial burdens for citizens and competitive disadvantages for local businesses.
„Urban cleanliness and sustainability are key concerns of our industry. However, an additional tax is not the solution; it burdens the economy and the population in equal measure,“ the participating associations agree.
Contradiction with the German government's relief targets
The associations are particularly critical of the planned municipal initiative against the backdrop of current federal policy initiatives. The federal government has sent out clear signals in favour of reducing bureaucracy and easing the economic burden with the so-called relief cabinet. These efforts would be counteracted by new municipal tax and reporting obligations.
According to the associations, there is a risk that a packaging tax in Osnabrück would have the exact opposite effect of what is being sought at federal level. Additional municipal regulation would significantly increase the administrative burden on businesses and therefore disproportionately affect smaller companies in particular.
Burdens for businesses and consumers
In addition to the bureaucratic effects, the associations warn of noticeable economic consequences. Additional fiscal requirements could put small and medium-sized companies in particular under financial pressure and weaken their competitiveness. In the long term, this could also have an impact on jobs and the diversity of local offerings.
Socio-political aspects also play a central role in the criticism. According to the associations, prices in certain areas could increase by more than 50 per cent. These additional costs would particularly affect people on low incomes who are dependent on reasonably priced catering and retail-related services.
„A packaging tax affects those who can least afford it - economically and socially, this is the wrong approach,“ the joint statement reads.
Appeal for alternative solutions
Finally, the associations call on the city of Osnabrück to work with the companies concerned to find practical alternatives. The aim must be to improve urban cleanliness and sustainability without creating additional financial and bureaucratic burdens for businesses and the population.
Source: Federal Association of System Gastronomy e.V.
