What do the Regulations define as ‘Packaging’?
‘Packaging’ is defined as any product that is used or is intended to contain and protect goods, or to aid their handling, delivery or presentation.

What do the Regulations mean by the terms Recovery and Recycle?
Recovery refers to any number of processes which result in a net benefit being derived from used packaging; this includes energy recovery from the heat generated during burning and composting of packaging materials.

Recycling is a more precise term that refers to the reprocessing of used packaging so that the material produced can be re-used for its original or another purpose.

What are PRN's and where can I get them?
PRN refers to Packaging Recovery Note. Every time a registered re-processor produces a unit of packaging recyclate they produce a PRN. These PRN’s are proof that a unit of packaging has been received for reprocessing. PRN’s are then made available for purchase by obligated companies.

An obligated company who has a legal obligation, for example, to recover and recycle 100 tonnes of packaging in a particular year has to provide 100 tonnes of PRN's for that year. As a registered re-processor our parent company, St Regis, can provide PRN’s. The Severnside Facilities Management Centre will be happy to put you in touch with St Regis.

What Packaging is affected, and what business sectors are affected?
All types of packaging, irrespective of whether its consumer product packaging or industrial/transit packaging. Within the UK the legal obligation to recover and recycle used packaging is shared – along the supply chain – by all businesses involved in putting packaging on the market.

When did the Packaging Regulations come into being?
On the 1st January 1997. There was an amendment to the regulations on 14th December 1999, concerning the size of turnover of companies that were obligated.

What size of company is affected?
Initially the turnover threshold was £5 million, now that has been reduced to potentially affect any company with a turnover in excess of £2 million.

And If I reach the £2 Million threshold, what do I do then?
Calculate how much packaging you sell to customers or directly import around raw materials or components. If its more than 50 tonnes and you reach the financial threshold, you will be obligated under the regulations.

Will I have to recover and recycle all my packaging?
No. The amount you are required to recover and recycle depends on the activity performed for packaging which passes through your business. Under the regulations the percentage obligation related to each activity is as follows;

· A producer of material used for packaging – 6%
· A converter of materials into packaging – 9%
· A packer or filler of packaging – 37%
· A seller of packaged goods to the final consumer – 48%

Obligations are calculated by multiplying the weight of packaging by the appropriate activity share and by the recovery and recycling targets in force.

But what does being obligated mean to me?
You will have to register with the regulator, the Environment Agency, and prove that you are meeting the targets. You can join a registered collection scheme that can manage your obligations for you.

You will be required to provide data on the volumes of packaging handled, recovered and recycled.

How can I meet my obligations, register… and be safe?
There are two ways a company can reach its obligations. Firstly, companies can undertake recovery and recycling obligations in their own right – an individual complier.

Amendments to the regulations require producers with over £5 million turnover, and applying for individual registration, to include an operational plan showing the steps to be taken to comply with all their obligations. Alternatively, companies can join a collective scheme – such schemes can take care of your legal obligation for you.

Valpak is the largest compliance scheme under the regulations and can manage your liability for you. Click on the logo for more information about this compliance scheme.