Nestlé-owned kosher food firm hit with £27k packaging waste fine

The firm had made a saving of more than £25,000 by not registering.

The company said it had not been aware of the regulations. “Osem U.K. was not aware of the regulation when it came into force. The Environment Agency did not communicate it directly to the company,” the firm said in a statement.

“When the Environment Agency was asked how they advertised the regulations, they told the Basildon Magistrates that they have done it through Trade Associations.”

The statement added that the company was not governed by any trade associations and the court recognised this was an “honest oversight”.

Following the hearing, environment officer Dawn Dorman said: “Although these regulations have been in force since 1997, we continue to find companies who are unaware of their responsibilities.”

Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations, firms that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year and have a turnover that exceeds £2m are required to register with the Environment Agency or packaging compliance scheme.