Germany postpones a single-use plastics tax for a year.

Germany has postponed the implementation of its annual levy on single-use plastics until January 1, 2025. This delay aligns with the country’s single-use plastic fund law, EWKFondsG, which is modeled after the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive.

Under this German levy, businesses will be taxed on specific plastic items outlined in the Directive, such as:

• Food containers
• Cups and beverage holders
• Wet wipes
• Bags
• Balloons

Businesses are required to annually report their usage of the aforementioned items, calculate the corresponding taxes, and submit their reports the subsequent year. The proposed tax rates vary, with wet wipes set at €0.06 per kilogram, single-use plastic beverage cups at €24.50 per kilogram, and filters for tobacco products reaching up to €8,945 per kilogram.