Many items of upholstered seating contain high levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These were used as flame retardants in covers and foams.

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulations 2007 place strict controls on this type of waste, which means that we now have to collect these items separate, to other household waste.

What types of seating does this include?

Any upholstered furniture, including;

• Sofas
• Sofa beds
• Armchairs
• Kitchen and dining room chairs
• Stools and foot stools
• Home office chairs
• Futons
• Bean bags
• Floor
• Sofa cushions

The following items do not contain Persistent Organic Pollutants;

• Deckchairs
• Mattresses
• Curtains
• Blinds
• Beds
• Items that are not upholstered (for example a wooden chair without a cushioned or textile back, seat, or arms)
• Waste from the manufacture of new domestic seating that are known not to contain POPs