British sustainable packaging company Frugalpac, manufacturer of wine and spirits bottle made from recycled paper, has welcomed the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee’s call for VAT reductions in green sectors to grow back better after COVID-19 and create a circular economy.
The Environmental Audit Committee’s report “Growing back better: putting nature and net zero at the heart of the economic recovery” published on 17th February calls for VAT reductions to items that have been recycled to encourage a circular economy. It also says the Government should also look wider and consider applying carbon taxes in areas across the economy.
Frugalpac, who submitted evidence to the committee, is a British company which creates and supplies recycled paper-based products with the lowest carbon footprint that are easily recycled again so they don’t need go to landfill. It’s Frugal Bottle, made from 94% recycled paperboard with a food grade pouch, is five times lighter than glass, has six times lower carbon footprint and offers 360-degree branding for exceptional shelf stand-out. Polling by Survation found that 63% of UK wine drinkers would buy wine in a paper bottle.
Commenting on the report, Frugalpac Chief Executive Malcolm Waugh said, “This report is hugely important and makes a welcome contribution into how we build a sustainable green recovery. Supporting UK businesses and innovations using recycled material will really help companies like ours and grow the circular economy. The UK doesn’t make enough recycled paperboard so cutting VAT would really help stimulate domestic production and create jobs. The use of recycled paper creates a huge carbon benefit over other materials like glass, so using recycled paper to make everyday products like wine bottles and coffee cups is a simple way to reduce the carbon burden on the world. The committee’s call for the introduction of an economy-wide carbon tax would also be a massive game changer to businesses like ours who are producing recycled paperboard packaging that has the lowest carbon footprint. We would also recommend carbon labelling on packaging to give the consumer an informed choice on reducing their personal carbon footprint easily. Reducing VAT and introducing a carbon tax to promote recycled materials would not only be good for business, it will be better for the environment and help fuel the Government’s Green Industrial Revolution so we can get to Net Zero as soon as possible.”
