Valpak helps firm take advantage of civil sanctions

The powers, which came into effect on January 4 2011, allow businesses to volunteer to pay for the cost of environmental offences rather than face costly legal action (see letsrecycle.com story).

The company concerned, which Valpak could not name but has its registered office in London, voluntarily submitted an offer earlier this year to make amends for prior offences under the Packaging Waste Regulations. It is believed that the offer is currently one of only five to have been accepted, despite suggestions that quite a large number of Enforcement Undertakings have been received to date by the EA.

Having failed to comply with the Packaging Waste Regulations on behalf of some of its packaging handling subsidiaries, the company corrected the omission in December 2010 before enlisting Valpaks assistance in putting its case to the Environment Agency. Its offer was officially accepted in May this year.

Project

Valpak will now run an environmental project on the companys behalf and has selected North Tyneside council as its partner for this. The offer of 21,000 will be used to run a communications campaign in the North Tyneside area to increase plastic bottle recycling rates.

North Tyneside council was chosen because it is one of the local authorities that Valpak has previously worked with, through the North East Purchasing Organisation (NEPO), on waste electrical and battery recycling initiatives. However, this project is the first that focuses on packaging recycling between the parties.

Stephanie Haines, policy advisor for Valpak, said: This is a really positive change for obligated companies that have been non-compliant in the past and wish to do the right thing by the environment. Our relationship with the authorities involved in NEPO has allowed us to match the funding offered by our member to a great cause, and we are excited to see the impact that this money will have in North Tyneside.

Cllr Ed Hodson, North Tyneside councils cabinet with responsibility for waste and recycling, said: Were delighted that residents in North Tyneside are recycling more of their waste than ever before. However, we know that some residents remain unaware that plastic bottles are the only plastic material we can currently recycle. Were keen to ensure that more people wash their cans and bottles out and crush them before placing them in their recycling bin. By this means, there will be no nasty residues that might contaminate the waste paper due for recycling and there will be more room in householders bins for other recyclable waste.

Were pleased to accept this funding and look forward to working with Valpak to get recycling advice across to our residents.

Rules

Any company that is based in England and Wales that was non-compliant on and before April 6 2010 can take advantage of the new rules.

Valpak is the UKs largest environmental compliance scheme, managing the recycling obligations of over 5,000 UK businesses under producer responsibility laws. The company was the first scheme established to help businesses comply with the Packaging Waste Regulations in 1997 and now holds a 50% share of the market.