From Sunday 1 January 2023, Rutland County Council is asking all residents to ensure that waste upholstered domestic seating is not brought to local waste and recycling centres as part of a mixed load, if at all possible, as this may result in the whole load having to be incinerated - including any recyclables.
This change is due to a new law that requires all councils incinerate all upholstered domestic seating being disposed of as waste.
The law has been introduced across the country after the Environment Agency raised concerns about high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in seating textiles and foams.
The Environment Agency warns that POPs remain intact in the environment for long periods and if not disposed of properly become widely distributed geographically.
All upholstered domestic seating taken to Rutland’s household waste and recycling centres is sent to an Energy from Waste facility to provide heat and power for homes and businesses
Upholstered domestic seating includes sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen and dining room chairs, futons, beanbags and cushions which have any type of fabric or foam.
Further information can be found on our Household Waste and Recycling Centres page.