The Environment Agency in the Midlands have accepted their first Enforcement Undertaking from a Derbyshire packaging firm.
An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer from a company to make amends for not meeting environment regulations. This can be achieved by compensating communities affected, restoring the environment or donating to a suitable charity.
In 2010, the Environment Agency found that DA Pak Ltd of Ashbourne, Derbyshire should have been registered under the Producer Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations SI 2007/871.
After an investigation, the company admitted that they had failed to register under the regulations in 2009 and 2010 and hadn't met their obligations. The company offered £2000 towards the Environment Agency's investigation costs and a donation of £1251 to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
Hannah Wooldridge, Environment Officer said, "Enforcement Undertakings are a new tool we can use for certain environmental offences. In this case we got a great outcome for the environment, without going through the courts. These sanctions will not replace prosecuting the worst offenders that damage the environment, but they do allow us to be far more flexible in how we deal with offences. We're committed to helping businesses stay on the right side of the law, and these new tools help us to save time and money, whilst contributing to a better environment for all."
