Italy delays Plastic Tax

The Italian government has decided to postpone once again the introduction of the Plastic Packaging Tax, moving the implementation deadline to 1 July 2026. The measure had previously been scheduled to take effect earlier, but pressure from industry and the current economic context led authorities to extend the transition period.

The tax targets single-use plastic packaging (MACSI – manufatti con singolo impiego) and is expected to be applied at a rate of €0.45 per kilogram of plastic used in these products.

Why the tax was postponed

Italian authorities justified the decision based on several factors:

• rising cost pressures on the manufacturing sector
• potential impact on the food and consumer goods industries
• the need for additional time for industrial supply chains to adapt
• concerns about the competitiveness of Italian companies

Producers of plastic packaging and related industries have repeatedly warned that introducing the tax too quickly could increase production costs and eventually transfer those costs to consumers.

Impact on the plastics industry

If implemented in its current form, the tax would affect:

• plastic packaging manufacturers
• importers of plastic packaging
• companies placing packaged products on the Italian market
At the same time, policymakers argue that the measure should encourage:

• greater use of recycled plastics
• development of alternative packaging materials
• new investments in the circular economy

Italy remains one of Europe’s major hubs for plastics processing and packaging manufacturing, which means the evolution of this tax is being closely monitored by the entire European plastics industry.

For the recycling sector, the tax could potentially stimulate higher demand for recycled plastic, although repeated delays continue to create uncertainty in the market.