FAQs

Packaging FAQs

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• How do I know if I am affected by the UK Packaging Waste Regulations?

  Your organisation is affected by the UK Packaging Waste Regulations if it handles more than 50 tonnes of packaging each year and has a company or group annual turnover that exceeds £2 million. Take a look at our 'who is affected' web page to find out if your organisation is obligated. Alternatively, please call one of our friendly technical advisors on 08450 682 572.

• I am obligated. How do I register with a Packaging Compliance Scheme?

  Joining Valpak’s Packaging Producer Compliance Scheme couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is fill out our online enquiry form, and a new member pack will be sent to you as soon as your request has been processed. If you would like to speak to one of our friendly technical advisors before joining, please call 08450 682 572.

• I handle over 50 tonnes of packaging each year but my turnover is just under the threshold. What should I do?

  Your organisation is not obligated. However, you have the option to become a non-obligated Valpak packaging compliance member for FREE. Non-obligated Valpak members receive regular legislation and information updates, plus Valpak will remind you to review your company activities on an annual basis. We will also help you with your annual review and will help you to establish whether or not you are obligated in the future. Call one of our friendly technical advisors on 08450 682 572 to find out more.

• I have a turnover of over £2 million but handle just under 50 tonnes of packaging. What should I do?

  Your organisation is not obligated. However, you have the option to become a non-obligated Valpak packaging compliance member for FREE. Non-obligated members receive regular legislation and information updates, plus Valpak will remind you to review your company activities on an annual basis. We will also help you with your annual review and will help you to establish whether or not you are obligated in the future. Please call one of our friendly technical advisors on 08450 682 572 to find out more.

• Why should I join Valpak’s Packaging Compliance Scheme?

  Joining Valpak will give you access to a variety of services which will help you with packaging data preparation and submission, audit planning, purchase of Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs), regulation updates and reporting to the regulator for annual packaging compliance certification.

  You will have access to FREE Packaging Data Workshops and, if your organisation discards of packaging waste, you may be able to offset some of your compliance bill via our Members' Compliance Evidence Policy (MCEP) service. We will also take on your legal obligation and, if you are using the Green Dot symbol, we will waive your UK Green Dot licence fee.

  More Valpak membership benefits can be found on our 'How Valpak Can Help' web page.

• What are the Consumer Information Obligations (CIOs)?

  Obligated packaging 'sellers' (organisations that supply packaging to an 'end user') are required, by law, to provide recycling information to consumers. This requirement is otherwise known as the Consumer Information Obligation (CIO). Valpak offset our 'seller' members’ CIOs, for FREE, via our consumer facing recycle-more website. Call one of our friendly technical advisors on 08450 682 572 to find out more.

• Who is affected by the Consumer Information Obligations?

  Obligated packaging 'sellers', organisations that supply packaging to 'end users', are affected by the Consumer Information Obligations (CIOs). If you would like to find out more information, please contact one of our technical advisors on 08450 682 572.

• What is a Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN)?

  PRNs are otherwise known as certificates of recycling evidence. These certificates / notes are generated by accredited reprocessors when packaging waste is recycled or recovered. The PRN system enables obligated companies to fund packaging recovery and recycling costs by purchasing the right number of PRNs to match their packaging obligation. If you would like to find out more information, please contact one of our technical advisors on 08450 682 572.

• Can I generate Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs) from my own packaging waste?

  Yes. You can generate Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs) from your own packaging waste. Valpak have set up a Members’ Compliance Evidence Policy (MCEP), which enables Valpak members to register their own waste PRNs with us, so that they can offset some or most of their packaging compliance bill. If you would like to find out more about this service, please call one of our technical advisors on 08450 682 572 or complete our online enquiry form.

• I can generate PRNs from my own packaging waste. Can I use these to offset my compliance bill?

  Yes. You can generate Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs) from your own packaging waste. Valpak have set up a Members’ Compliance Evidence Policy (MCEP), which enables Valpak members to register their own waste PRNs with us so that they can offset some or most of their packaging compliance bill. Find out more about Valpak MCEP.

• Can I outsource my packaging data submission to Valpak?

  Yes you can. At an additional cost, you could outsource as much or as little of your packaging data submission process to Valpak Data Solutions. To find out more, please call one of our techincal advisors on 08450 682 572 or complete our online enquiry form.

• How much will packaging compliance cost my business?

  Compliance costs are based on the type and amount of packaging that you handle during a calendar year, plus the type of activity or activities that you perform on packaging. All packaging 'producers' pay a set registration fee, which goes direct to the relevant environment agency, and the Valpak membership fee covers the administration costs of running the packaging compliance scheme and service costs. For a competitive, no obligation cost forecast please contact us on 08450 682 572 or email info@valpak.co.uk.

• How do I gather my data?

  If your organisation is obligated, you will need to find out how much packaging your organisation handled for the whole calendar year (January to December) prior to data submission. You can find this out by looking at, for example, your purchase figures, sales figures, bill of materials, waste figures, imports and exports and sales to different customer types. If you would like more comprehensive advice and support, contact one of our friendly technical advisors on 08450 682 572.

• How do I fill in the packaging data form?

  Valpak offer FREE Packaging Data Workshops to all members of our Packaging Compliance Scheme. These workshops provide delegates with practical advice on data collection methods and demonstrate, using case studies, how to complete the packaging data submission form. In addition, our expert technical advisors offer year round technical support via our dedicated Contact Centre. Please call 08450 682 572 for more information.

• Why do you ask me to send in my packaging data before the agency registration deadline?

  Valpak is required, as part of our operational plan, to spend time checking our members' data submissions prior to submitting this data to the relevant agencies. Submitting your data promptly each year, by the 28 February, gives Valpak necessary time to check your data submission and to ensure that any amendments required are made before the deadline.

  The agencies also require Valpak to obtain a verification form.  This should be signed off by an authorised person, such as a director, and returned to us after the data has been finalised. Valpak does appreciate that in certain circumstances members do have a problem with obtaining data of sufficient quality by this date. If this is the case please call one of our technical advisors on 08450 682 572.

• What are the civil sanction powers?

  In the past, any company obligated under the UK Packaging Waste Regulations that was found not to be complying with these regulations would have faced criminal prosecution.

  The introduction of civil sanction powers in January 2011 now means that there are more options available to Environment Agency enforcement officers for dealing with non-compliant companies.

  This is a positive change for obligated companies that have been non-compliant in the past and are concerned by the threat of prosecution.

  There are now three routes that the Environment Agency (EA) can choose to go down when dealing with non-compliant companies. Find out more here or call one of our technical advisors on 08450 682 572.

• I am at risk of being prosecuted by the Environment Agency. Can Valpak help?

  Yes we can. Valpak can also assist you with your Enforcement Undertaking. We can:

  • check and /or submit your EU Offer Form to the Environment Agency on your behalf
  • calculate the costs you have avoided by not complying with the UK Packaging Waste Regulations
  • source and suggest appropriate environmental projects for you to fund
  • help to coordinate the funding of the environmental projects

  If you would like more details about how we can help you with any of the above, please contact one of our dedicated technical advisors on 08450 682 572 or complete our quick enquiry form.