Environment Agency penalises recycler for illegal contaminated-waste exports
Waste exporters must classify contaminated plastics as Amber List before shipment
Change
On 26 May 2026, the Environment Agency said MV Recycling (UK) Ltd was ordered to pay £30,400 after pleading guilty to attempted exports of contaminated plastics misdeclared as Green List waste.
Why it matters
The prosecution turns waste classification into the operative compliance failure. Plastics contaminated with household waste and electrical goods could not be exported as Green List waste and required prior notification, Environment Agency consent and a financial guarantee as Amber List waste.
Implications
- — Recycling companies exporting plastic waste must classify contaminated material as Amber List before shipment — misdeclaring contaminated plastics as Green List waste led to prosecution and fines.
- — Waste exporters must obtain prior notification and Environment Agency consent before exporting Amber List material — contaminated plastics cannot lawfully be exported under the lower-risk Green List route.
- — Companies using recycling exporters for PERN evidence must verify that exported waste is correctly classified — the Environment Agency linked the case to businesses using recyclers to fulfil recycling quotas.
Who is affected
- — Recycling companies exporting plastic waste from the UK
- — Waste exporters handling contaminated plastics
- — Businesses relying on recycling exporters for packaging export recovery notes