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Agency in packaging non-compliance warning

“Potential non-compliance” with packaging waste recovery regulations has been raised by the Environment Agency, which has warned that it takes the issue “very seriously”.

Glass PRNs in particular have caused concern

Last week, data published by the Agency showed that while all material targets were met, glass re-melt and plastic fell short without using carry-over evidence from the previous year.

While the two materials missed their material targets without carry over, there was 64,555 tonnes of glass re-melt and 64,671 tonnes of plastic carried over into 2022.

Compliance specialists said this could suggest some non-compliance from producers (see letsrecycle.com story).

The EA investigates all allegations

– Environment Agency 

‘Seriously’

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said any “potential non-compliance” would be investigated, with enforcement action taken if necessary.

If the Agency takes the enforcement undertakings route, it has previously said it ‘cannot influence who receives the money or direct how it is spent’

A spokesperson said: “We take potential non-compliance with packaging waste recovery regulations very seriously and the EA investigates all allegations.

“Where regulations are breached, appropriate action is taken in line with our enforcement and sanctions policy.”

Enforcement

The Agency regularly publishes enforcement undertakings it has accepted, where companies are made to donate to environmental charities if they are found to have breached packaging regulations.

However, this is often criticised for not ensuring funds are put pack into the PRN system.

The Environment Agency did not specify specific punishments, but said appropriate action would be taken in line with its enforcement and sanctions policy.

Glass re-melt

Glass re-melt saw prices as high as £190 towards the end of last year, prompting concern from some obligated parties over compliance costs.

According to some compliance specialists, the data suggests that there could have been some “significant non-compliance” in the year, potentially with some businesses refusing to buy PRNs because of what they perceived as overly high prices.

Plastic

With 66,000 tonnes of carry over into 2022, down from 90,000 the previous year, some have said it will be another tight year for plastic, with prices in recent weeks reaching as high as £170.

This comes as the price for recycled plastic has also “gone into orbit”, with prices for the most in-demand grades such as HDPE natural and clear and light blue PET reaching £720-820 and £460-520 per tonne respectively for March – more than double that reported a year ago in March 2021 (see letsrecycle.com prices).

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