Packaging Waste Recovery Notes

Packaging Waste Recovery Notes are the Government's way of making the packaging user pay to have the waste packaging recycled. This is how it works:

A drinks manufacturer that packages its drinks in glass bottles (for instance), is called an Obligated Company. If they use over a certain tonnage of glass every year they will have to buy a PRN to cover a percentage of the glass used. The percentage is determined by the government every year.

So where do you go to buy a PRN?

The only way to acquire a PRN is to recycle. So companies like us are able to produce a PRN for every tonne of Glass or Plastic packaging we recycle. We can then sell that PRN to the companies that used the Glass or Plastic in the first place.

Some Obligated Companies choose to do the Recycling themselves and issue their own PRN. If they aren't able to recycle enough they can come to companies like Recresco and we will sell them PRN's to make up the shortfall.

The Environment Agency is responsible for controlling the PRN system and you can find more information on the DEFRA website: www.defra.gov.uk

This is a simplified explanation of the complex PRN system. If you need a detailed in depth explanation, please contact our PRN department. prns@recresco.com