Blow for British pubs as they’re being hit with highest ‘bevvy levy’ in Europe
PUBS are being hit with the highest “bevvy levy” in Europe.
New recycling taxes on glass and aluminium, which will cost the industry £1.6billion a year, have been branded a massive “own goal” by hospitality chiefs.
From today, firms that put more than 25 tons of packaging a year on to the market have to pay EPR (extended producer responsibility) fees for recycling.
UK glass recycling charges of £240 per ton are much higher than anywhere else in Europe — adding 12p to a bottle of wine and 6p to a bottle of beer.
Poland pays £110, beer-loving Germany £85, and Greece £17.
But environment chiefs have estimated EPR is unlikely to impact rates of recycling in the next five years.
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British Beer and Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin said: “Brewers will be seriously disadvantaged by this bevvy levy, which is unfair, poorly rolled out, and detached from reality.
"The costs are a spectacular own goal. They’ll choke investment, cost jobs and stifle growth.
“The government must urgently rethink these ridiculous fees if they want our beloved pubs and breweries to survive and thrive.”
A government spokesman said: “We will crack down on waste and boost recycling, with EPR for packaging a vital first step.”
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