Environment Agency a tough nut to crack on recycling regulations
January 4th 2008 A London-based international nut supplier Barrow, Lane and Ballard Ltd was ordered to pay £33,360 at Tower Bridge Magistrates Court for failing to recover and recycle more than 900 tonnes of packaging waste.
On Wednesday 5 December 2007 the company pleaded guilty to failing to register with the Environment Agency as a producer of packaging waste, and to failing to meet its requirements to recover and recycle packaging waste for 9 years from 1998 – 2006.
The company was fined £23,400 and ordered to pay £2356 in costs to the Environment Agency. Magistrates also ordered compensation of £7604 to be paid to the Environment Agency for avoided registration fees.
Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations, all businesses with an annual turnover in excess of £2m that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging each year, must be registered with the Environment Agency or a compliance scheme. Each year, obligated businesses must also provide evidence of payment for the recovery and recycling of a specified proportion of packaging waste, including wood, aluminum, steel, cardboard and plastic.
The Regulations are designed to ensure companies assess the amount of packaging they use and, where possible, limit their consumption. For the packaging remaining, companies are expected to invest in the recycling industry. Details of the Regulations are available in trade journals, through trade organisations and online but unfortunately, many businesses remain unaware of their responsibilities. More articles from Environment Agency: | 
