£7.4k packaging waste fine for two Suffolk businesses

The two companies belong to local holding company Betts Group, which is not in any way related to the international FMCG firm of the same name.

Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations, firms that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year and have a turnover that exceeds £2m are required to register with the Environment Agency of packaging compliance scheme.

Environment Agency prosecutor Anne-Lise McDonald said companies that were linked through holding companies or were subsidiaries had their turnover and packaging use aggregated.

“The aim of the packaging regulations is to achieve a more sustainable approach to dealing with packaging by ensuring businesses take responsibility for the packaging used in their operations,” said McDonald.

“This in turn reduces the amount of packaging produced and the amount going to landfill.”

Hatcher produces commercial vehicle parts and Broadwater manufactures glass reinforced mouldings and assemblies.

According to the Environment Agency, both companies “pleaded guilty to failing to join a scheme during 2008 and 2009 but said they were unaware of the regulations”.

They also asked for three similar offences to be taken into account.

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