What are the Regulations designed to do?
The Packaging Regulations were first introduced in 1997 as a way of diverting the flow of packaging waste to landfill.
Who is obligated under the Regulations?
If you manufacture, sell, or import packaging or packaged goods then you may be obligated. This includes transit packaging.
What are the thresholds to become obligated?
The Packaging Waste Regulations apply to UK businesses that handle 50 tonnes or more of packaging per annum and have a group turnover greater than £2 million.
Why should I register?
If your company meets these thresholds, or is part of a group of companies that does, then you are required by UK law to register with a Compliance Scheme or directly with the appropriate Agency. Failure to do so may result in enforcement action or criminal undertakings against your organisation.
What types of packaging should I count?
To put it simply; packaging is classed as anything ‘used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery, and presentation of goods’.
There are 6 packaging classifications
• Paper / Card - cardboard boxes, labels, edge protectors, dividers, internal rolls etc.
• Glass - bottles, jars, etc.
• Plastic - shrink wrap, drums, IBC's, pallets, strapping, food and beverage packaging, etc.
• Aluminium - cans, foil trays, composite lids, etc.
• Steel - cans, drums, banding, etc.
• Wood - pallets, crates, spacers, etc.
Do I count imports and exports?
Yes. It is important that you declare all imported transit and product packaging. Exports are also declared but they are deducted from your final total.
What is a Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN)?
Think of PRN as a receipt to prove that the above materials have been recovered and recycled. For every one tonne of material that passes through an approved waste reprocessor, such as a paper mill or wood chip mill, one receipt (PRN) is raised. Dependant upon how much packaging you have handled in the previous year; you must purchase these receipts as proof that you have offset the impact of the packaging that you have placed on the UK market.
What is the role of the Packaging Compliance Scheme?
We will visit you at site to make you aware of all your obligations and assist you with capturing the relevant data. Once this has been done we calculate your obligation and purchase the relevant amount of PRN’s on your behalf. Once we have received accurate data from you we absorb your legal liability for complying with the Regulations.