Companies that fail to invest in recovering and recycling their packaging waste received a stark warning this week after the Environment Agency issued its largest fine yet to a company for breaching of recycling regulations.

Telford-based wine importers Western Wines was forced to pay over £230,000 in fines and costs to the Environment Agency, more than double the previous largest fine for a packaging offence, after it failed to pay for recovery and recycling of packaging waste.

Any company with at least a £2m turnover or that uses 50 tons of packaging or more annually, is required by the regulations to contribute to UK recycling.

The company, which imports South African wine brand Kumala, pleaded guilty to nine charges under the Producer Obligations Regulations, after failing to pay recovery and recycling costs between 2003-2005.

"The aim of these regulations is to make businesses take responsibility for the packaging used in their operations and reduce the amount of packaging waste going to landfill," said EA spokesman David Lloyd.

David Hudson, an environment manager for the EA, said that the fine should act as a warning to other firm to ensure they understand recycling regulations and are fully compliant.

Western Wines is now part of US conglomerate Constellation Brands and is fully compliant with the regulations.