Disposing of an upholstered seating item at a household recycling centre?
From 1st of December 2024 new legislation comes into force regarding the process of storing and disposal of Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating such as sofas and armchairs. These items are often treated with fire retardant chemicals known as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These chemicals have not been used since 2019 but can remain in the environment for a long time if not dealt with properly.
The guidance issued by the Environment Agency states that all waste upholstered domestic seating containing POPs must be collected separately and must be destroyed via incineration.
Due to space restrictions only our seven larger recycling centres will be able to accept this type of waste from 1st December 2024. These can be found here.
Upholstered seating is any item of seating whether from businesses or households that is no longer in use and ready for disposal. Items classed as waste upholstered domestic seating are:
- Sofas and settees
- Sofa beds
- Armchairs
- Kitchen & dining room chairs
- Office chairs
- Stools & foot stools
- Office chairs
- Beanbags, floor & sofa cushions
- Futons
This is also to include any made part of or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam.
The following items are not covered by the new guidance and are still accepted at ALL our recycling centres: • Mattresses • Curtains and blinds • Beds • Deckchairs • Seating that is not upholstered e.g. wooden chair.
For more information visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/seating
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