Most companies find it impractical to meet their packaging waste obligation through their own recycling efforts. Instead the UK Packaging Regulations uses the Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN) system enabling companies to pay for the recovery and recycling of an equivalent amount of packaging and so offset their obligation.

PRNs are certificates issued by accredited reprocessors when packaging waste is recycled or recovered. These PRNs are put onto the open market to be purchased by obligated companies, as evidence that they have met their calculated obligation. This can be done directly, or through a compliance scheme like Valpak.

Buying PRNs can be a complex process, but fortunately at Valpak our experts can purchase PRNs on your behalf. Long term contracts with reprocessors enable Valpak to buy PRNs in bulk thus securing a better price for our members.

PERNs can be issued by UK businesses who export the material and can certify that it is going overseas to be recovered or recycled. PERNs are an accepted evidence of compliance by the environment agencies.