Advice on What to Do with POPs Waste.
The Environmental Agency (EA) has provided a recent update to be regarded by all local authorities and waste management companies regarding waste items that contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Specific guidance has been issued for soft furnishings including sofas, cushions, and some textiles. At Acumen, we are leading experts in all types of waste management. Please see below our advice on how you and your business should handle POPs waste compliantly.
What are POPs?
- POPs are organic substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms, and may cause long-term adverse effects on our health via contact with food-chains and the environment.
- Items containing POPs are banned from landfill.
- UK manufacturers of these items stopped using POPs between 2002 and 2011, but imported items had some POPs chemicals as late as 2019.
- POPs regulations have been in place since 2007.
- The EA has clarified that it will be measuring compliance against these regulations. It therefore issued new guidance in December 2022 regarding identifying, classifying, handling and disposing of POPs waste.
What do waste producers need to do?
- As a waste producer, it is your responsibility to know if the soft furnishings waste you produce may contain POPs.
- Waste containing POPs must not be comingled with any other waste streams.
- If you have any kind of upholstered waste, assume it is POP waste and contact us regarding compliant removal.
What is Acumen and Beauparc’s plan?
Acumen’s parent company, Beauparc, has taken the initiative to repurpose a dedicated POPs processing facility within its UK network. Beauparc will bulk material from other sites within the group, which include Lincolnshire, Widnes, Peterborough, Birmingham, Liverpool and other Leeds sites for processing and disposal.
If you are using out waste services, tipping sites, or app and want to know more about your POPs waste solutions, please contact us directly by calling on 01977 529586 or emailing us at customerservices@acumenwaste.co.uk.
