1997 saw the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations, known as the Packaging Waste Regulations, come into being, which for the first time set targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. These targets have had a large effect on recycling within the UK.

The overall aim of the legislation is to increase the levels of recovery and recycling of packaging waste. Depending on the nature of an organisations business and the weight of packaging they handle, companies are required to meet specific recovery and recycling targets.

Central to the legislation is the packaging waste recovery note, or PRN. A PRN is evidence that an amount of packaging has been recovered and recycled. Each year all obligated companies must provide the correct amount of PRN’s required for the amounts of packaging they are obliged to recover and recycle. PRN’s are produced by accredited packaging recyclers each time they receive and recycle one tonne of material. Our parent company St. Regis are a registered supplier of PRN's.

To find out about the legislation visit our Packaging Waste Regulations FAQ's section.