Record fine on packaging waste
Environment Agency bosses have warned firms to follow waste packing rules after a record fine for a Telford company.
Environment Agency bosses have warned firms to follow waste packing rules after a record fine for a Telford company.
Western Wines was fined £225,000 - the highest for any packaging offence nationally - and ordered to pay costs at Shrewsbury Crown Court after the company admitting nine charges relating to packaging waste regulations. The charges were brought by the Environment Agency.
The wine importer and wholesaler was fined £225,000 and ordered to pay £3,230 costs and £2,486 compensation to the agency.
The court heard that in 2005 the agency wrote to Western Wine, then of Hawksworth Road, Central Park, asking it to fill out a questionnaire in regards to packaging regulations.
The reply indicated it might have committed offences.
The company provided a response confirming it was not registered in 2003, 2004, and 2005, did not meet its recovery and recycling targets, or submit any certificate of compliance with the regulations in those years.
The company had avoided registration fees of £2,486 and recovery/recycling costs of £185,059.
The company's response stated it had overlooked its legal obligations due to rapid changes in the business.
David Lloyd, an Environment Agency officer involved in the investigation, said after the case: "The seriousness of this offence is shown by the large fine. It is the highest fine for any packaging offence.
"The aim of these regulations is to make businesses take responsibility for the packaging used in their operations and reduce the amount of packaging waste going to landfill. This is becoming increasingly important as landfill capacity is stretched to the limit."
The court heard that the firm had been taken over by another company.
In mitigation, the company said it had co-operated fully with the agency and was now fully compliant.
Western Wines, which was set up in 1980, was sold to Canadian firm Vincor International in 2005 for more than £133 million. US giant Constellation Brands later bought Vincor and closed the Telford operation.