Initially set up and implemented in 1997, the Waste Packaging Regulations require companies to register and fulfil obligations regarding their recycling and packaging material if certain criteria are met.
To fall under the regulation, a company must:
- Turnover in excess of £2 million
- Produce/Handle more than 50 Tonnes of packaging material per year
If your company falls within this remit, you are legally obliged to register with your environmental regulator, and recycle and recover certain amounts of packaging waste. This is achieved through the Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN) system.
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2005 apply.
PRNs are certificates issued by accredited re-processors when packaging waste is recycled or recovered. These PRNs are put onto the open market to be purchased by obligated companies as evidence that they have met their calculated obligation. These calculations can be made on your behalf by a registered compliance scheme or if you prefer you can self-register your company.