Schneider asks Union for budget alternative after plastic tax rejection

Union parliamentary leader Thorsten Frei has rejected the proposed plastic tax. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) has called on Union to propose an alternative way to fill the budget gap by November 12, 2026.

A preliminary draft proposes a charge of €550 per tonne of plastic in packaging from July 2027 to reduce plastic waste. The finance ministry expects the proposed tax to raise €805 million in 2027 and almost €1.5 billion a year from 2028.