The Packaging Waste Regulations, which came into force in 1997 and saw targets set for the first time in 1998, have been a strong influence on recycling in the UK over the past few years.

The regulations require obligated companies of four types to ensure that they can account for recycling and recovery of material as part of a Europe-wide effort to achieve packaging recovery rates of 60% by December 31 2008.

Conflicts have arisen in the way the legislation has developed in the UK. The all important packaging waste recovery note — the PRN — is the evidence that obligated businesses need to account for a portion of recycling or recovery. The PRN is issued by reprocessors such as paper mills and steelworks. Export PRNs (PERNs) can be issued for material sent abroad for reprocessing, subject to approval from the Environment Agency. The conflict has arisen because many waste paper merchants and metals recyclers think they should be able to issue the PRN.

letsrecycle.com brings experienced and expert analysis of the packaging waste sector and will closely follow developments this year.

Click on the links to find out more about the packaging waste regulations today plus access the Environment Agency's list of accredited reprocessors and the letsrecycle list of compliance schemes.