The company, which is based at Viking Way, Swansea manufactures and supplies convenience food products. Ethnic Cuisine pleaded guilty to two offences under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997, and was also ordered to pay 750 towards the Agency's prosecution costs.
The Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations affect any business which has an annual turnover of 2 million or more and handles 50 tonnes or more of packaging materials per year. Such businesses must register annually with either the Agency or an approved compliance scheme, and then subsequently ensure the recovery and recycling of packaging waste to meet their obligations. The court was told the company was not aware of these Regulations until contacted by the Environment Agency in 1999.
Speaking after the case, which was heard last week, Steve Nelson, Tactical Planning Officer for the Agency's South West Wales Area said: “These Regulations ensure that businesses involved in the manufacture, supply and use of packaging share the environmental costs of the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. It is important for businesses to ensure they are always fully aware of, and thereby discharge, their environmental obligations”.
Register for free to comment