Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) guidance:
Managing disposal of waste upholstered domestic seating containing POPs
Following recent guidance from the Environment Agency (EA) regarding the disposal of upholstered domestic seating which often contains Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and other hazardous chemicals. From 1st of January 2023, this waste cannot be disposed of in a landfill, and it is required to be incinerated. POPs remain intact in the environment for long periods and if not disposed of properly become widely distributed geographically. They accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife and have harmful impacts on human health and on the environment. The Law requires that POPS are destroyed. This means waste containing POPs must be incinerated and must not be re-used, recycled or landfilled.
Following recent guidance from the Environment Agency (EA) regarding the disposal of upholstered domestic seating which often contains Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and other hazardous chemicals. From 1st of January 2023, this waste cannot be disposed of in a landfill, and it is required to be incinerated. POPs remain intact in the environment for long periods and if not disposed of properly become widely distributed geographically. They accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife and have harmful impacts on human health and on the environment. The Law requires that POPS are destroyed. This means waste containing POPs must be incinerated and must not be re-used, recycled or landfilled.
What items may contain POPs?
Upholstered items of domestic seating waste may contain POPs. This includes items with any part made of or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam. Such as sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen and dining room chairs, stools and foot stools, home office chairs, futons, bean bags, floor, and sofa cushions.
*Mattresses, curtains, blinds and beds are not domestic seating and are not covered by this guidance.
Please note following items are unlikely to contains POPs:
• items that are not upholstered, for example, a wooden chair without a cushioned or textile back, seat, or arms
• deckchairs
• wastes from manufacturing new domestic seating that the manufacturer can demonstrate do not to contain POP
• items that are not upholstered, for example, a wooden chair without a cushioned or textile back, seat, or arms
• deckchairs
• wastes from manufacturing new domestic seating that the manufacturer can demonstrate do not to contain POP
Can POPs still be collected with bulky waste?
Yes, we can still collect all of the items listed above on a bulky waste collection. Please leave items that may contain POPs separate from other items you may have requested to be taken.
What if my POPs items are damaged?
If items are damaged, ripped or torn, the damage MUST be repaired with no foam exposed. Please repair the item, for example taping it up, this enables us the safe collection and disposal of the item. Any items that have not been sufficiently repaired will not be taken and we will not be able to return. This will need to be re-booked for another collection.