Growing Interest in Packaging Taxes Among German Municipalities

In an increasing number of German municipalities, the implementation of a packaging tax similar to the one adopted in Tübingen is gaining traction. According to data from the German Environmental Aid (DUH), around 120 cities across the country have expressed interest in such a tax, a trend that has emerged from surveys conducted over the past two years. Notably, nearly 50 of these municipalities have indicated they will await the outcome of a recent legal challenge before making a decision.

The Federal Constitutional Court recently confirmed that Tübingen's packaging tax is consistent with the German constitution, providing clarity for other cities considering similar measures. This judicial ruling has opened the door for municipalities that have been contemplating the tax to proceed with their plans.

For instance, the mayor of Regensburg has suggested that a packaging tax could be an effective strategy for reducing waste in the city. Other major cities such as Bremen, Cologne, and Osnabrück are also discussing the potential introduction of a packaging tax. In Konstanz, a packaging tax has been in place since the start of the year.

Barbara Metz, the federal managing director of DUH, expressed optimism about the potential for other cities to follow suit. She pointed out that the accumulation of litter in urban areas is a growing concern for residents and poses significant environmental challenges. With the federal government currently not taking action, municipalities have the opportunity to combat single-use waste independently. The court's decision has provided legal assurance for local governments to hold companies accountable for their single-use waste, thereby promoting greater environmental justice.

In light of the ruling, DUH is urging citizens to advocate for the introduction of a packaging tax in their own municipalities. Each new local tax could increase pressure on the federal government to establish a nationwide single-use tax policy. Metz anticipates that cities already showing interest will take decisive action to introduce packaging taxes.

However, the federal association of system catering (BdS) has expressed concerns regarding the implications of such taxes. Kristina Harrer-Kouliev, head of the legal department at BdS, warned of the significant bureaucratic and technical challenges that would arise, as well as the financial burden it could impose on predominantly medium-sized businesses within the sector.