Croydex Group Plc, of Andover, was prosecuted at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court earlier this week and fined 1193 in fines and costs, for not complying with the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations.
The manufacturing company pleaded guilty to failing to register during 2000 under the packaging waste compliance scheme. But Croydex said that it had been an unintentional breach as although it had missed the deadline for registration it had followed other obligations during the year.
The magistrates said that in view of the guilty plea the fine had been reduced from 750 to 500, with costs of 693.
Environment Agency solicitor Dan Wiley said: “We all have a duty to care and protect the environment for future generations. The reduction in the turnover threshold level to 2m means that even smaller companies must now ensure that they are fully compliant with the Packaging Waste Regulations. The Environment Agency will be continuing its campaign of enforcement against those who fall outside the law.”
Packaging accounts for twelve million tonnes of waste in the UK each year and the Producer Responsibility Regulations were introduced in 1997 to ensure that the environmental costs of producing, using and disposing of packaging fall directly on those who produce or use it.
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