An investigation by the Environment Agency in 2022 found that the company had failed to register as a producer of packaging in 2004. The regulations require a business to take steps to ensure their waste is recovered and recycled.
Budweiser Budvar claimed it was unaware of the regulations until the agency stepped in.
Following the investigation, the company has now contributed £414,003.54 to Keep Britain Tidy for use in their ‘Great British Spring Clean’ campaign. The sum was paid as part of a reactive Enforcement Undertaking – a legal agreement between the Environment Agency and an offender as an alternative action to prosecution or other monetary penalty.
Donation and legal costs
Money donated to the charity was based on the amount saved by Budweiser Budvar in not recycling or recovering packaging waste, plus a penalty of 30%. The company was also required to cover the Environment Agency’s costs.
Jake Richardson of the Environment Agency said: “In this case, we investigated and found they [Budweiser Budvar] had failed to comply with the regulations and had consequently not paid its rightful share towards the recycling of its packaging.
“When the company realised this, it wanted to do the right thing and so it submitted an Enforcement Undertaking offer, which ensured that all avoided recycling costs were donated to a project that will enhance, restore and protect England’s natural environment.”
Full compliance
According to the Environment Agency, Budweiser Budvar is now fully compliant with the Packaging Regulations and has put processes in place to ensure continued compliance in the future.
“Enforcement Undertakings, when appropriate, allow a better resolution for the environment than a prosecution and help offenders who are prepared to take responsibility for their actions to put things right voluntarily, in a way that, in some cases, directly benefits the environment and local communities,” Richardson added.
Meanwhile, the UK Government has published illustrative base fees ahead of the full rollout of new extended producer responsibility legislation.
