An Ipswich packaging company has offered to pay nearly £20,000 to two environmental charities after admitting it had contravened Regulations.
The infringement of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations SI 2007/871 by Bauder Ltd, was self-reported to the Environment Agency in November 2015 and investigations were undertaken.
Environment Agency officers found that Bauder had committed the offences of failing to register under the Regulations, and failed to take reasonable steps to recover and recycle packaging waste under the Regulations over a 16 year period.
Having taken into account the circumstances of the case, in particular the company's lack of previous convictions, the Environment Agency decided that in this instance it would be appropriate to deal with the matter by way of an enforcement undertaking.
Nikki Collins, senior technical officer for the Environment Agency, said enforcement undertakings "allow those who commit offences to stop offending, come into compliance and to take steps to prevent a recurrence".
"When appropriate, they allow a quicker resolution than a prosecution and help offenders who are prepared to take responsibility for their actions to put things right voluntarily, in a way that directly benefits the environment and local communities".
Bauder Ltd offered to contribute £10,000 to Suffolk Wildlife Trust for use in its work to restore 1,000 acres of reserve land at Carlton Marshes on the fens, and £9,377.42 to Buglife, a charity working to protect wildflower-rich meadow and grassland created in the East of England.
