{"id":112352,"date":"2026-01-27T08:01:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T07:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=112352"},"modified":"2026-01-27T06:37:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T05:37:40","slug":"waste-disposal-organisations-support-plastic-disposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/entsorgungsverbaende-unterstuetzen-plastikabgabe\/","title":{"rendered":"Waste disposal associations support plastic levy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Association of Austrian Waste Management Companies (VOEB) and the Working Group of Austrian Waste Management Associations (ARGE AWV) welcome the Austrian government's decision to introduce a levy on non-recyclable plastic packaging. The measure is intended to encourage producers and importers to make greater use of recyclable materials and promote the circular economy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The planned national step follows on from the EU-wide levy on non-recycled plastic packaging, which has been in place since 2021 and is currently financed from public budget funds. In Austria, these payments recently totalled over 170 million euros per year. In the future, companies that place non-recyclable plastic packaging on the market will be required to contribute directly to the financing. The expected revenue is also estimated at around 170 million euros.<\/p>\n

Steering effect for packaging design and choice of materials<\/h2>\n

According to the associations, the levy creates a targeted economic incentive to orientate packaging more towards recyclability. Gabriele J\u00fcly, President of the VOEB<\/strong>, said: \u201eWe have been calling for years for there to be incentives for recyclable packaging. After all, plastic that is only used once consumes energy and resources unnecessarily. A plastic tax would have a clear steering effect, which our industry welcomes in the interests of an efficient circular economy.\u201c<\/p>

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From the perspective of the waste and resource management industry, it is crucial that the levy is designed in a practicable way and strengthens the mandatory use of recyclates. Only a permanently high demand for recycled plastics can ensure a functioning circular economy. The industry has signalled its willingness to get involved in the concrete implementation.<\/p>\n

Responsibility along the value chain<\/h2>\n

ARGE AWV also sees the planned levy as an important step towards the polluter pays principle. President Christian Macho said: \u201eWe need to keep plastics in circulation. A plastic tax makes producers more accountable and makes it clear that they are responsible for the non-recyclable plastic packaging they put into circulation.\u201c The associations hope that the measure will lead to additional investment in research and development as well as a stronger focus on recyclable materials in the packaging sector.<\/p>