Many items of waste upholstered seating contain high levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from the flame retardants that were historically used in upholstery covers and foams.

The Environment Agency has recently changed their enforcement position on The Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulations 2007 regarding domestic upholstered seating. Due to the changes, Nottingham City Council now have to collect these items on a separate vehicle to other household bulky waste, which means if you book a collection with upholstered and non-upholstered items, it will be collected in two parts.

What types of seating does this include?

Typical items include sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen and dining room chairs, stools and foot stools, home office chairs, futons, bean bags, floor cushions, and sofa cushions.

If an item of seating is upholstered you should assume that it contains POPs, and book the collection as POPs waste, unless you can demonstrate that it does not contain POPs.

The following items are NOT considered upholstered seating:

• Items that are not upholstered (for example a wooden chair without any cushioned or textile back, seat, or arms)
• Deckchairs, mattresses, curtains, blinds, and beds
• Wastes from the manufacture of new domestic seating that are known not to contain POPs

We collect white goods and normal bulky waste separately to upholstered seating items, so your items may be collected at different times or on different days.