Managing waste containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are often found in upholstered domestic seating (including sofas, armchairs and upholstered dining and office chairs). These items contain a chemical which is no longer used and has been banned since 2019.

The law requires that any soft furnishings with POPs that you want to get rid of are destroyed - particularly those bought before 2019. This must be done at a fully licensed facility (such as an Energy from Waste facility) and must not be landfilled.

If waste with POPs is not managed responsibly, it can cause damage to the wider environment.

Items that may contain POPs

Upholstered items that may contain POPs include 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 (if upholstered)
stools and foot stools (if upholstered)
home office chairs
futons
bean bags
floor and sofa cushions (not scatter cushions)
any other upholstered items that can reasonably be described as a form of seating used by households, and to which relevant fire regulations apply this might include child car seats, highchairs, and benches

Mattresses, curtains, blinds and beds are not domestic seating and are not covered by this guidance.

Items that do not contain POPs

The 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 POPs

Collections of bulky waste containing POPs

We can still collect all of the items listed above on a bulky waste collection. Please detail all of the above items when you make your bulky waste collection booking and leave items that may contain POPs separate from other items you may have requested to be taken.

If your POPs items are damaged

If items are damaged, ripped or torn, the damage must be repaired and have no foam exposed.

Please repair the item, for example taping it up, so we can safely collect and dispose of it. Any items that have not been repaired well enough, will not be taken and we will not be able to return. This will need to be re-booked for another collection.

If you are uncertain whether an item contains POPs, securely cover any damage put it out for collection separately.

Reusing upholstered domestic seating

Any upholstered domestic seating items that you no longer wish to hold can still be passed on for reuse provided the item is not damaged (beyond minor repair) and has a fire safety label attached. These can still be donated to charities and so on. Please visit the GOV.UK website for more detailed information.

Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs)

POPs can be taken to one of our HWRCs in Pallion or Wrekenton. The staff on the site will direct you to the correct skip. Please follow guidance.

Private licensed waste carriers

This change in legislation also affects private licensed waste carriers. Please ensure that anyone taking any waste away is licensed to do so as you can be fined if items are fly-tipped and traced back to you.

For further details on POPs guidance and legislation, please visit the GOV.UK website.