Disposal of upholstered domestic seating
Disposing of upholstered domestic seating
Reuse
Reuse is still the preferable option for good quality furniture. We support reuse wherever possible, prioritising waste prevention and reuse over other methods of disposal
Charities will still be able to accept furniture in good condition for reuse, provided the items meet conditions set out in the guidance to ensure they are suitable. Make sure the item you are passing on is not damaged and has a fire safety label attached.
If you are buying second-hand, check that the item has a fire safety label attached. It should also be in good condition with no rips or tears. This increases the risk of exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Takeback schemes
You can contact the retailer you purchased your item from for information on manufacture take-back schemes. Check the manufacturer website when purchasing a sofa or other upholstered domestic seating item. It is likely that take-back schemes will differ from company to company and there may be a small charge.
Disposal at Household Waste Recycling Centres
Upholstered domestic seating must ONLY go into the correct, designated skips. Do not put this type of waste into the general waste skip or into any other container. It must not be mixed with other waste. Ask a member of staff on arrival at the site to direct you to the appropriate skip to dispose of this waste
Upholstered domestic seating should be kept whole where possible. Any damaged parts must be kept contained to minimise the risk of textiles or foam escaping into the environment on transit through to disposal. Taking upholstered seating items apart increases the risk of releasing the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) into the environment. This increases your risk of being exposed to them
Disposal at home
Do not dispose of your unwanted upholstered domestic seating in your kerbside recycling or general waste bin.
The guidance requires that any upholstered domestic seating is kept intact and separate from all other waste where it is reasonable and feasible to do so. Your upholstered domestic seating can be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) or collected through our bulky uplift service.
Bulky Waste Collections
We will still collect unwanted upholstered domestic seating in the bulky uplift service.
The way that we collect bulky waste complies with the legislation. Items that may contain POPs that are damaged, ripped or torn should be covered with sheeting and secured with tape.