Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) play an important role in the UK’s packaging waste and recycling system. They provide evidence that an equivalent amount of packaging material has been recycled and help obligated producers demonstrate that they have met their recycling obligations.

The PRN system works alongside Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), helping to fund packaging recycling and support UK recycling targets. Requirements can vary depending on the amount and type of packaging a business supplies.

At Kite Packaging, we understand that packaging regulations can be difficult to follow. This guide explains PRN packaging, how the system works and what businesses need to know.

What Are Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs)?

Packaging Recovery Notes are certificates that provide evidence that packaging waste has been recycled. They are issued by accredited reprocessors for eligible waste packaging they process in the UK.

Rather than requiring obligated producers to physically recycle an equivalent amount of their own packaging, PRNs provide evidence that the required recycling has taken place elsewhere in the system.

Packaging recovery evidence is issued for different materials, such as plastic, paper, glass, aluminium, steel and wood. Obligated producers need the correct recycling evidence to meet their material-specific recycling obligations.

Money generated through Packaging Recovery Notes also helps support packaging waste recycling, including investment in recycling infrastructure and processes.

How Does the PRN System Work?

The PRN system connects producers with the recycling of packaging waste placed on the UK market. In simple terms, the process works as follows:

1. Packaging enters the market: Producers supply packaging or packaged goods in the UK.
2. Waste is collected: Packaging waste is collected and sent for recycling.
3. Materials are recycled: Accredited reprocessors process eligible packaging materials.
4. PRNs are issued: The accredited recycler generates recycling evidence for qualifying material.
5. Producers obtain evidence: Obligated producers obtain the required PRNs to demonstrate compliance with their recycling targets.

PRNs are material-specific. For example, recycling evidence generated from plastic can't simply be used to meet a paper packaging recycling obligation.

What Is a Packaging Export Recovery Note (PERN)?

A Packaging Export Recovery Note (PERN) serves a similar purpose to a PRN but relates to eligible UK packaging waste exported overseas for recycling.

PERNs are issued by accredited exporters rather than UK reprocessors. Together, PRNs and PERNs provide recycling evidence that obligated producers can use towards their packaging recovery obligations.

Who Needs to Buy PRNs?

Under the current Extended Producer Responsibility system, large producers have recycling obligations and must obtain enough Packaging Recovery Notes or PERNs to demonstrate compliance.

A business is generally classed as a large organisation for EPR if it has an annual turnover of £2 million or more and supplies or imports more than 50 tonnes of packaging in the UK. Obligated producers that meet the relevant criteria must report packaging data and meet their recycling obligations.

Small organisations have different EPR responsibilities and aren't required to buy PRNs to meet recycling obligations.

Using Packaging Compliance Schemes

Obligated companies can manage their recycling evidence directly or join a registered packaging compliance scheme.

Compliance schemes can help businesses calculate their obligations, obtain the required PRNs or PERNs and manage aspects of their compliance. This can reduce the administrative work involved in meeting packaging waste regulations.

Businesses managing their own obligations are known as direct registrants and are responsible for obtaining sufficient recycling evidence themselves.

How Are Packaging Recycling Obligations Calculated?

The number and type of PRNs an obligated business needs depends on its packaging data and the recycling targets set for the relevant compliance year.

Obligations are calculated separately for different packaging materials, which can include:

• plastic
• paper, board and fibre-based composites
• glass
• aluminium
• steel
• wood

The amount of each packaging material a producer supplies or imports helps determine its recycling obligation. The relevant annual recycling targets are then used to calculate the equivalent tonnage of recycling evidence required.

Businesses should maintain accurate packaging data throughout the calendar year. This helps ensure their obligations are calculated correctly and that they obtain the appropriate evidence for each material.

Why Do PRN Prices Change?

PRN prices aren't fixed and can change throughout the compliance year. Packaging Recovery Notes are traded on an open market, so prices are influenced by the supply of recycling evidence and demand from obligated producers.

Prices can also be affected by recycling performance, the availability of particular materials and wider market conditions. Commodity prices may influence the economics of the recycling process too.

As a result, the cost for businesses that need to buy PRNs can vary between packaging materials and across the calendar year.

PRNs and Extended Producer Responsibility

Packaging Recovery Notes form part of the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for packaging.

Large producers use PRNs and PERNs as evidence that they have met their recycling obligations. However, recycling evidence is only one part of EPR compliance.

Depending on their responsibilities, producers may also need to report packaging data and meet other requirements under UK packaging waste regulations. Businesses should therefore consider their PRN obligations alongside their wider EPR responsibilities.

Get Support With Packaging Compliance From Kite Packaging

Understanding PRNs, recycling obligations and wider packaging regulations can help your business stay on top of its compliance responsibilities.

At Kite Packaging, we provide guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility and other areas of packaging compliance. We can also help businesses review their packaging choices and explore options that support their environmental goals.

Need help finding suitable packaging for your business? Contact us to speak to our team.

PRN Packaging FAQs

Still have questions about PRNs and packaging recovery? Take a look at our frequently asked questions below or contact us for further support.

What does PRN stand for in packaging?

PRN stands for Packaging Recovery Note. It is evidence that an equivalent amount of packaging waste has been recycled by an accredited reprocessor.

What is the difference between a PRN and a Packaging Export Recovery Note?

A PRN relates to eligible packaging waste processed for recycling in the UK. A Packaging Export Recovery Note (PERN) relates to eligible UK packaging waste exported overseas for recycling by an accredited exporter.

Do all businesses need to buy PRNs?

No. Under EPR, large producers with recycling obligations need sufficient PRNs or PERNs to demonstrate compliance. Small organisations aren't required to buy PRNs for recycling obligations.

Where can businesses buy PRNs?

Obligated businesses can obtain PRNs from accredited reprocessors and exporters or use registered compliance schemes to manage recycling evidence on their behalf.

What is the National Packaging Waste Database?

The National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD) contains historic packaging waste and recycling data. Current PRN and PERN obligations are managed through the government's EPR for packaging services rather than businesses accepting evidence through NPWD.

When do businesses need to obtain PRNs?

PRNs and PERNs must be obtained for the relevant compliance year by the applicable deadline. For example, recycling evidence for 2026 obligations must be acquired by 31 January 2027. Businesses should check current government guidance for the dates applying to each compliance year.