Why your old sofa can't go to landfill

What are POPs?

Persistent Organic Pollutants are long-lasting chemicals that were used in some flame retardants in foams and fabrics. They don't break down, build up in the food chain, and can harm people and wildlife.

What changed?

The Environment Agency now requires waste upholstered domestic seating — sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen and dining chairs with upholstery, stools, footstools, futons and office chairs — to be treated as POPs waste. In practice that means it must be incinerated or sent to energy-from-waste, not landfilled or shredded with general waste.

What does that mean for you?

• Don't leave a sofa on the street — it's fly-tipping, and you can be fined.
• Only hand it to a licensed waste carrier who will send it to a compliant facility.
• Expect a small handling fee — ours is just £15 per sofa on top of the volume.

Can it be reused instead?

Yes! Sofas in good condition with fire safety labels attached can go to charity shops and reuse projects. Reuse always beats disposal — and we check every sofa before it goes anywhere.