According to a report by ECO, the contribution is extended to composite containers such as soda or coffee cups, where plastic and paper cannot be separated. And establishments that were exempt, such as trailers or vending machines, will have to pay a fee on each package made available. Soups, salads or other types of ready-to-eat meals that have been packaged outside of establishments sold to the final consumer will also be taxed.

The State Budget for 2024 completely changes the logic of the current regime, which only established a total contribution on each take-away package of 0.30 euros. According to the proposal of the outgoing Government, “the contribution on single-use packaging is 0.10 euros per packaging”. In other words, the amount that companies have to hand over to the State is reduced, from 0.30 to 0.10 euros.

But the impact on the final consumer “cannot be less than 0.20 euros, per package”, according to the budget proposal, which, added to the 0.10 euros, “means that the price will be at least 0.30 euros or more”, explains to ECO Paula Galicchio, from the consultancy Deloitte, which specialises in green taxation, highlighting that “the restaurant or cafe can charge 0.40 or 0.50 euros or more”.