This article was published in a recent issue of The Recycling Association’s magazine . The article’s author Peter Spink is a Principal Technical Officer in the Environment Agency, and is regularly involved in consultation and guidance to the recycling industry - especially in the area of compliance with Packaging Waste regulations.

It is always useful to get different perspectives on the regulations, along with an insight into the EA’s involvement with PRNs and PERNs. Packaging Waste and PRNs/PERNs can be a confusing part of recycling, and Pete’s report gives a good overview of the objectives of the regulations as well as the EA’s involvement in policing them.

In the last 12 months, we have really sensed that regulator activity has stepped up a few gears - with increased monitoring and action against obligated producers, UK reprocessors and exporters alike. It could well be argued that the increased policing of PRNs/PERNs is a major factor in the lower packaging tonnages currently being reported.

No doubt the sluggish economy is playing a part by genuinely lowering volumes of packaging waste being collected - but minimising the amount of “dubious” PRNs and PERNs being issued is also having a significant effect. In the past increased PRN prices have attracted disreputable operators and tempted them into fraudulent activities. A strong, consistent approach by the Environment Agency and the Scottish, Northern Irish & Welsh agencies will help to deter these activities and punish those caught.

Oatley Resources is a member of The Recycling Association. More details on the association can be found at www.therecyclingassociation.com