Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating

From the 1st December 2024, the Environment Agency requires waste upholstered domestic seating (e.g. sofas and armchairs- see below for full list) to be segregated and transported separately from other waste streams.

Facilities to separately collect this material will be provided at the following Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

  • Exmouth, Knowle Hill
  • Exeter, Pinbrook Road
  • Tiverton, Ashley
  • Barnstaple, Seven Brethren
  • Bideford
  • Ivybridge
  • Okehampton
  • Newton Abbot, Brunel Road

Waste upholstered domestic seating (e.g. sofas and armchairs- see below for full list) will not be accepted at any HWRC not listed above.

Waste upholstered domestic seating includes:

  • Sofas
  • Armchairs
  • Futons
  • Sofa-beds
  • Upholstered dining chairs, office chairs and garden chairs
  • Beanbags
  • Floor cushions
  • Upholstered stools and foot stools
  • Why is this happening?

    The Environment Agency has confirmed the widespread presence of large quantities of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and other hazardous chemicals in the textiles and foam of waste upholstered domestic seating (e.g. sofas and armchairs). These chemicals, often used as fire retardants, persist in the environment, accumulating in human and wildlife fatty tissues, causing health and environmental harm.

    The Environment Agency requires that this material be destroyed by incineration to prevent lasting environmental harm and impacts on the food chain.

    The Environment Agency requires that waste upholstered domestic seating must be segregated and transported separately from other waste streams from 1st December 2024. This segregation will require additional containers and facilities to be provided. Due to space constraints only the following sites will be able to accept waste upholstered domestic seating:

    • Exmouth, Knowle Hill
    • Exeter, Pinbrook Road
    • Tiverton, Ashley
    • Barnstaple, Seven Brethren
    • Bideford
    • Ivybridge
    • Okehampton
    • Newton Abbot, Brunel Road

    Waste upholstered domestic seating cannot be disposed of at any HWRC not listed above.

  • What is considered to be Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating?

    Waste domestic seating is any item of seating of a household type from households that is waste. For example:

    • sofas
    • sofa beds
    • armchairs
    • recliner chairs (electrical or mechanical)
    • upholstered kitchen and dining room chairs
    • upholstered garden furniture
    • upholstered stools and foot stools
    • office chairs that are fire resistant to domestic standards
    • futons
    • bean bags, floor and sofa cushions

    This includes any part made of or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam.

  • Waste items not covered by these changes.
    • Items that are not upholstered, for example, a wooden chair without a cushioned or textile back, seat, or arms
    • Deckchairs
    • Mattresses
    • Curtains
    • Blinds
    • Beds
    • Bedding, e.g. duvets and pillows

    You can still take any of these items to any HWRC.

  • Which sites can accept Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating from 1st December 2024?
    • Exmouth, Knowle Hill
    • Exeter, Pinbrook Road
    • Tiverton, Ashley
    • Barnstaple, Seven Brethren
    • Bideford
    • Ivybridge
    • Okehampton
    • Newton Abbot, Brunel Road
    • Which sites cannot accept Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating from 1st December 2024?
      • Sidmouth
      • Honiton, Sutton Barton
      • Exeter, Exton Road
      • Crediton, Punchbowl
      • Ilfracombe, Killacleave
      • South Molton, Maclins Quarry
      • Torrington, Deep Moor
      • Holsworthy, Anvil Corner
      • Kingsbridge, Torr Quarry
      • Totnes
      • Tavistock, Crowndale
      • Why are DCC implementing these changes?

        Devon County Council is required by the Environment Agency to ensure that all waste upholstered domestic seating is segregated and transported separately from other waste streams, in order to comply with environmental legislation.

        This segregation will require additional containers and facilities to be provided. Due to space constraints only a limited number of sites will be able to accept waste upholstered domestic seating.

        • How can I dispose of my waste upholstered domestic seating if I cannot use my nearest HWRC?

          If you cannot travel to a HWRC that accepts waste upholstered domestic seating, the following alternatives may be available to you:

          • District Council bulky waste collection service
          • Retailer collection/take-back
          • Donate/sell items via Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle, eBay etc
          • Charity donation
          • Skip hire, hippo bag service, commercial waste company etc
        • Can I still donate my upholstered seating to HWRC resale shops?

          We can only accept good quality upholstered domestic seating (with appropriate fire safety labels) for reuse at the following sites.

          • Exmouth, Knowle Hill
          • Exeter, Pinbrook Road
          • Tiverton, Ashley
          • Barnstaple, Seven Brethren
          • Bideford
          • Ivybridge
          • Okehampton
          • Newton Abbot, Brunel Road

          If you consider your item to be reusable, please speak to a member of staff on site.

          We will be unable to accept upholstered seating for reuse at any other site.