This guide describes the UK PRN (Packaging Waste Recovery Note) system – the mechanism used in the UK to implement the requirements of the European Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste 94/62/EC.
The system uses principle of producer responsibility – that packaging producers are required to contribute financially to the recovery and recycling of packaging materials so that UK as a whole achieves the European packaging recycling targets. This includes acquiring unique evidence of recycling or recovery – a packaging waste recovery note (PRN or PERN for material that is exported) – from properly accredited reprocessors (or exporters for recycling overseas) in exchange for a financial transaction.
The guide was produced by the Advisory Committee on Packaging, an independent committee appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment. You can download the PRN System Guide from the Environment Agency website.
(Look under Activity, then Task Force 2.)