Werner & Mertz is in favour of a plastic tax

In the exchange with the ministers, Reinhard Schneider emphasised how important it was to continue along the same path and to promote the high-quality mechanical recycling of plastic packaging. Plans to equate chemical recycling with mechanical recycling pose a threat to packaging recyclers. In addition, the favourable price of virgin plastic is preventing a real change.

„For a level playing field, the use of climate-damaging virgin plastic must become more expensive. This can be achieved by converting the EU recycling levy into a tax on virgin plastic and by cancelling the subsidy for the production of virgin plastic.“

Reinhard Schneider, owner Werner & Mertz

The use of recycled plastic could then be more profitable and lead to More investment in high-quality mechanical recycling lead.

„Strengthening the circular economy is essential from both an environmental and climate protection perspective. In order to make progress in this area, the tax levied on non-recycled packaging waste and paid to Brussels should be further developed so that it has a steering effect on manufacturers so that they establish reusable solutions, produce recyclable packaging and increasingly use recycled plastics for the production of new packaging. Werner & Mertz is a pioneer in this area, which is why we also discussed approaches to the sustainable design of the plastic levy with the company.“

Katrin Eder, Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate.

During the tour of the modern production centre and in the in-house packaging production of our partner Alpla At the Werner & Mertz plant, the ministers were able to get an idea of the holistic and sustainable way the family-owned company works.

Source: Werner & Mertz