Bamberg business warns: Packaging tax harms trade and citizens!

Bamberg business warns: Packaging tax harms trade and citizens!

In the discussion about the introduction of a municipal packaging tax in Bavaria, Bamberg business representatives clearly expressed their opposition to this plan. Herbert Grimmer, chairman of the Bamberg IHK committee, criticizes the tax as an unsuitable means of avoiding waste and promoting sustainability. In his opinion, such a tax would primarily place a financial burden on consumers, retailers and restaurants and create unnecessary bureaucracy. Grimmer emphasizes that numerous regulations to reduce packaging are already in force, such as the reusable requirement and various participations in the dual system.

These concerns are no coincidence. Discussions about similar packaging taxes are ongoing in several Bavarian municipalities, especially after the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court, which declared a packaging tax imposed by the city of Tübingen on January 22, 2025 to be constitutional. The tax affects disposable packaging, disposable tableware and disposable cutlery and is intended to reduce waste and promote the use of reusable systems. Nevertheless, the Bavarian Chambers of Commerce and Industry warn that such a tax is viewed as an unsuitable means of replenishing municipal coffers as it could cause significant additional economic and administrative burdens.

Economic burdens and bureaucratic hurdles

Andreas Wandner, the tax, finance and commercial register officer at the IHK for Upper Franconia Bayreuth, adds that the introduction of new local taxes would further exacerbate the existing bureaucracy. This would not only put a strain on companies, but also on municipalities. Especially in economically difficult times, business representatives demand that politicians not create any additional bureaucratic burdens, as additional taxes could weaken purchasing power and endanger investments.

A nationwide “model statute” for the uniform regulation of packaging taxes is currently being discussed, but it remains unclear whether this can actually harmonize the different regulations in the municipalities. Branch companies would have to clarify in which municipalities a packaging tax is levied and in what form, which causes additional effort.

Regulations for waste avoidance and alternatives to taxes

Existing regulations, such as the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive and the German Packaging Act, contribute to waste avoidance. From 2024, manufacturers will be required to cover the costs of single-use plastic products collected as waste in public spaces. An additional demand for a municipal packaging tax would therefore represent a double financial burden for companies that have already reduced the amount of single-use plastic packaging through the reusable offer requirement.

In order to support the sustainability goals of municipalities, alternative financing options should be considered. Instead of a packaging tax, creating incentives and improving the infrastructure to promote reusable systems as well as increasing citizens' education on how to avoid waste could be more sensible measures. The challenges facing municipalities require creative solutions that are both economically and ecologically viable.

Overall, it can be said that opinions differ greatly among those involved in the Bavarian economy regarding the municipal packaging tax. While some are in favor of the introduction, others warn of the possible negative consequences for retail and the catering industry and are calling for a rethink in the waste and packaging strategy.