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Big Businesses Fined for Ignoring U.K. Recycling Law

The British government’s Environment Agency successfully prosecuted 53 companies last year for not recycling or recovering packaging waste, an increase of 66%. Read More

The British government’s Environment Agency successfully prosecuted 53 companies last year for not recycling or recovering packaging waste, an increase of 66%.

Large businesses are required by law to register with the Agency and provide evidence of recycling and recovery of packaging.

Household names including T-Mobile and Tigi International, sister company to hairdressers Toni and Guy, were among companies prosecuted between April 1, 2002 and April 1, 2003.

Fined imposed during that year totaled £366,505 (about $604,000 USD).

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) regulations are designed to encourage companies to reduce the amount of packaging they use and make greater effort to recycle and recover.

Any business with a turnover of £2 million or more, and which handles over 50 tons of packaging materials is liable under the legislation and must register with the Agency.

There has been a consistent rise in prosecutions over the last three years, which David Stott, agency chief prosecutor, attributes to the increased efforts of officers in enforcing the regulations.

“When the regulations first came in, companies often claimed they were unaware of the new legislation regarding waste. This excuse is no longer acceptable to our officers or to the courts,” he said.

He added that the average fine was now three times higher than it was two years ago as judges and magistrates are encouraged to consider how much firms are saving by avoiding environmental responsibility.

Jeff Cooper, producer responsibility policy manager for the agency, said: “We are committed to fulfilling our obligation to meet the national target of 50% of packaging waste recovered and recycled, and to supporting businesses that comply with waste regulation by prosecuting those that do not.”

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