Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that do not break down. If waste containing these is not managed responsibly, they can cause damage to the environment.

POPs are found in upholstered seating and are usually part of flame-retardant treatments. The main POP we see in this furniture is decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), which has been banned since 2019.

Some waste furniture has levels of POPs above the legal limit. As a result, new rules mean we are required by law to collect, store and transport furniture containing POPs in a specific way.

The types of furniture that contain POPs

The majority of soft furnishings in your home will have fire retardants applied to them in order to meet Fire Safety standards. It is possible that some of these items will have fire retardants that contain identified POPs but not at levels that can cause concern to the environment. Any soft furnishing item bought new after 2019 should not contain fire retardants using the current list of identified POPs.

The legislation requires that upholstered furniture as described below is segregated at the point of disposal. This is to ensure that all items potentially including POPs are fully and safely destroyed, which is why you will be asked to place your item in a different location for disposal when you visit a household recycling centre (HRC).

The domestic items covered under the legislation is only related to waste upholstered domestic seating, as these items were found to contain the highest levels of POPs.

Waste upholstered domestic seating includes:

• Sofas
• Armchairs
• Futons
• Sofa beds
• Upholstered dining chairs and office chairs
• Beanbags
• Floor cushions
• Upholstered stools and foot stools

There is no requirement to treat other soft furnishing items from your home differently when disposing of them.

How to dispose of upholstered domestic seating

Any upholstered domestic seating items that you no longer need can still be passed on for reuse provided the item is not damaged (beyond minor repair) and has a fire safety label attached.

Donating to charity

You are still able to donate upholstered domestic seating items to charities and local organisations for reuse. Items need to be of good quality and meet conditions set out in law to ensure the item is suitable for reuse. For example, there is no damage to the fabric, and the fire safety label is still attached.

Fire safety labels on sofas and armchairs must state compliance with The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993).

Please check with the organisation to see what they will take before donating.

There are other outlets for reuse, including websites such as Gumtree, eBay, Freegle or Facebook Marketplace.

The potential for pollution and harm to the environment from POPs increases at the waste management phase and this is why there are new regulations for how to manage this waste.

Takeback schemes

You can contact the retailer you purchased your item from for information on manufacture take-back schemes.

Please check the manufacturer website when purchasing a sofa or other upholstered domestic seating item. It is likely that take-back schemes will differ from company to company and there may be a small charge.

Disposal

Items not suitable for reuse can be disposed of through your local household recycling centre. Remember to book your slot before visiting.

All of Herefordshire's household recycling centres are able to accept waste upholstered domestic seating.

Ensure the items are kept whole where possible. Any damaged parts must be contained to minimise the risk of textiles or foam escaping into the environment on transit through to disposal. This can be done by wrapping with plastic, such as bin bags, over the exposed areas and taping in place.

To ensure the items containing POPs are safely handled and stored, they must be segregated from other general wastes. Please follow any instruction given by site staff and signage at the household recycling centre. If you are unsure where to place the item or need any assistance please ask a member of staff.

Alternatively, you can book a large item collection.

Do not put waste upholstered domestic seating in kerbside bins

The law requires that any waste upholstered domestic seating is kept separate from all other waste where it is reasonable and feasible to do so.

Do not dispose of your unwanted upholstered domestic seating in your recycling or residual waste bin instead take it to a household recycling centre or book a large item collection.

Keep the furniture whole and do not cut it up

It is important that waste upholstered domestic seating is kept whole where possible.

Taking upholstered seating items apart increases the risk of allowing the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to be released into the environment and may increase your risk of being exposed to them.

How we dispose of furniture items containing POPs

Waste upholstered domestic seating containing POPs, which is brought to one of the household recycling centres or collected on our large item service, will be sent for energy recovery in line with legislative guidance.

Any waste containing POPs will be safely incinerated to generate electricity, ensuring these chemicals are destroyed or irreversibly transformed and cannot be released into the wider environment.

Health risks from POPs

The risk of exposure to POPs to the public from any upholstered domestic seating in the home is low. The potential for pollution and harm increases at the waste management phase when the items may become broken up or damaged ahead of disposal and this is why there are new procedures for how to manage this waste.

Any potential risk to health from exposure to chemicals in the home can be greatly reduced through good housekeeping; such as regular vacuum cleaning, washing hands before meals and ensuring any damage to upholstery is repaired as soon as possible.

Flame retardancy and furniture made after 2019

All domestic seating produced must meet stringent UK flammability tests that comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

Any items purchased after 2019 will still meet the requirements of the Fire Safety regulations, but the chemicals used in this process are not classified as persistent organic pollutants.