The company was fined £6,000 for a total of six offences of failing to recover and recycle packaging waste.

It was also ordered to pay costs of £2,631 and compensation of £9,130 for offences that were taken into consideration dating back to 1997.

The company pleaded guilty to six charges brought against them by the Environment Agency at Blackpool Magistrates.

It failed to register with the Environment Agency as a producer of packaging waste, and meet requirements to recover and recycle packaging waste with respect to each of the two years between 2006 and 2007.

Businesses who do not fulfil their obligations under packaging regulations are risking fines of up to £15,000 per year.

Packaging waste covers all manner of material, in Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s case everything from wrappers used on soaps in its hotel, to drink bottles and food containers count.

The Environment Agency is urging all businesses to check if the packaging regulations apply to their activities and if so to take steps to avoid any breaches.

Businesses that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging waste and/or have a turnover of more than £2 million per year need to be registered with the Environment Agency or a compliance scheme to meet their obligations and must demonstrate they have recovered and recycled a percentage of packaging waste based on the amount of packaging handled in the previous year.

Claire Balmer from the Environment Agency said: “The regulations are in place to encourage a reduction in the amount of packaging used by business and to decrease the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.

“Although these regulations have been in force since 1997 many businesses still ignore or remain unaware of their responsibilities.

“We hope this case will highlight the need for other businesses to consider whether they are obligated under the Packaging Regulations.”

David Gibbs

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