Disposal of upholstered domestic seating
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that are known to stay intact and do not break down. Waste containing these must be managed responsibly. They have the potential to cause damage to human health and the wider environment.
The POPs found in waste upholstered domestic seating are usually as a result of the use of a flame-retardant chemical. This chemical is called Decabromodiphenyl Ether (decaBDE). It has been banned since 2019 and is no longer used.
The potential for pollution and harm to the environment from POPs increases at the waste management and disposal phase. Therefore, waste upholstered domestic seating needs to be collected separately from other furniture. It will be sent to energy recovery facilities where it will be safely burnt to generate electricity. This ensures the chemicals are destroyed or transformed so they cannot be released into the wider environment.
Upholstered domestic seating in the home
The risk of exposure to POPs from any upholstered domestic seating in the home is low. The potential for pollution and harm increases at the waste management phase when the items may become broken up or damaged ahead of disposal and therefore there are new procedures for how to manage this waste.
New sofas purchased from 2019 are still flame retardant and will still meet the requirements of the Fire Safety regulations. The chemicals used in this process are not classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). All domestic seating produced must meet stringent UK flammability tests that comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
Any potential risk to health from exposure to chemicals in the home can be greatly reduced through good housekeeping. This includes regular vacuum cleaning and washing hands before meals. Also ensure any damage to upholstery is repaired as soon as possible.
It is still safe to donate and purchase second hand furniture through your local reuse/charity shops as long as the items are not damaged such as tears in the fabric.