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CMUK (Visual Safety), the Poole-based first aid kit supplier, has been fined more than £6,000 for packaging waste offences dating back to 2006.

The company was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £2,609 in costs and £768 in compensation by Bournemouth Magistrates court after pleading guilty to three offences under the Packaging Waste Regulations.

The Environment Agency contacted CMUK in July 2007 to request details of the company's annual turnover and type and quantity of packaging it handled.

"We saw we were at fault and joined a compliance scheme as soon as the agency wrote to us," said CMUK director Martyn Bright.

The company confirmed that while it had registered for 2007 it had not registered for 2006 when the turnover for the relevant year (2005) was £4.3m.

It was estimated that CMUK used 82 tonnes of packaging in 2005 and had avoided recycling charges and costs of £982.

Under the regulations companies that handle 50 tonnes or more of packaging and with an annual turnover of £2m or more must register with the Environment Agency or sign up to a recognised waste recycling compliance scheme.

Bright said: "I would have thought that companies that registered late would have been treated better and that the agency should be chasing those companies that don't register at all."

Tessa Bowering from the Environment Agency said: "It is important companies are aware of their waste packaging responsibilities and do all they can to reduce the amount of packaging they use and take all necessary steps to ensure packaging is recycled."