Carluccio's charged over alleged packaging breach

2nd October 2008, 9:01am

Restaurants have been given a stark warning of their legal obligations after Italian chain Carluccio's was charged for breaching recently introduced waste regulations.

Producer Responsibility Obligations Regulations came into effect last year and require all businesses with a turnover of more than £2million and those who process over 50 tonnes of packaging to register with either the Environment Agency or another approved compliance scheme.

Businesses must show that they are making the effort to reduce and recycle waste and this is something, according to the Environment Agency, that Carluccio's failed to do.

Carluccio's PLC has been charged for three breaches which were failing to register as a producer of packaging waste, failure to supply a certificate of compliance and failure to take steps to recover and recycle packaging.

James Adams, environment management team leader at the Environment Agency said: "By not registering, the company has avoided registration fees and recovery and recycling costs which directly supports the growth of the recycling industry."

A spokesperson for Carluccio's said: "Carluccio's is a responsible company that takes all of its legal obligations very seriously. Any failure to comply with the current regulations was wholly unintentional and, as soon as it was brought to our attention, we immediately acted and registered with the Environment Agency."

The case is due to be heard on 22 October 2008 at 10.30am at City of Westminster Magistrates Court. It has been listed on a "guilty or adjourn" basis and will only proceed on that day if Carluccio's plead guilty.

Related Articles:

• 05 Feb 2010 - Restaurant chain Carluccio's is on target to open five more stores this year
• 14 May 2009 - Behind the scenes at Carluccio's

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