General Assembly speaks out against additional burdens for companies and customers
the general assembly of the Darmstadt Rhein Main Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce clearly opposed the introduction of a municipal packaging tax in southern Hesse. This is in response to current discussions, including those taking place in Darmstadt.
"We reject a municipal packaging tax," emphasizes Ulrike Jakobi , Vice President of the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce. "The salad at the fresh food counter or the coffee on the way to work would be affected. Customers would find the price increases incomprehensible – and the lack of understanding would ultimately land on us and our employees."
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Managing Director Robert Lippmann also views the introduction critically: "The packaging tax would be a cost driver for both companies and municipalities." In addition to changes to cash register systems and employee training, additional administrative costs would arise, for example, through audits and inspections. "Whether municipalities will even generate any significant additional revenue from this is questionable. What is certain, however, is the additional bureaucratic burden – and this at a time when relief is promised."
Doubts about effectiveness and fairness
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce also points to a lack of evidence of an ecological impact. "We also want clean parks and city centers," says Jakobi. "But a look at Tübingen, where the tax has been in effect since 2022, shows that the hoped-for reduction in single-use packaging waste has so far failed to materialize."
Lippmann also warns of competitive disadvantages: "A municipal packaging tax creates isolated solutions and disadvantages businesses in municipalities that levy it. Companies operating across regions are faced with a patchwork of regulations."
Position paper adopted
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) plenary assembly approved the motion and the position paper "Municipal Packaging Tax – Burden Not Solution" . It states that neither a clear ecological impact nor implementation without significant bureaucracy is discernible.
background
Since 2022, Tübingen has levied a tax on all food and beverages in disposable packaging. After years of proceedings, the Federal Constitutional Court confirmed the legality of the tax in January 2025. Since then, more and more municipalities nationwide, including in southern Hesse, have been addressing the issue. Darmstadt is currently intensively discussing its introduction.
(Darmstadt - Red/IHK)
