Disposal of upholstered domestic seating
Important changes to storage and disposal
There is new guidance for the storage and disposal of upholstered furniture, including sofas, chairs and beanbags. You will see changes at the Household Waste Recycling Centres where these will be separated from other waste for disposal. Follow any signs and instructions from staff on-site.
Some Household Waste Recycling Centres can no longer take these items, check individual centres for details.
These changes follow guidance from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. They relate to the storage and disposal of waste upholstered domestic seating containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Items classified as waste upholstered domestic seating
The following items are classified as waste upholstered domestic seating:
- settees, sofas, sofa beds
- armchairs, including electric reclining chairs
- home office chairs and upholstered kitchen and dining room chairs
- futons and pouffes
- upholstered stools and footstools
- beanbags
- floor and sofa cushions
This includes any part made of or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam.
The above items must go into a separate container at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC).
Mattresses, curtains, blinds and beds are not classed as domestic seating and are not affected by the new regulations.