Change to Harborough’s Bulky Waste Collection Service due to new national legislation

The Environment Agency has issued guidance regarding the disposal of Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating (WUDs) containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

From 1st January 2023 this waste will no longer be accepted at landfill and must be destroyed through incineration. To comply with the guidance, Councils need to make changes to how this waste is collected and disposed/treated.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissues of humans and wildlife and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.

There is an international agreement, The Stockholm Convention, under which the UK has committed to manage waste containing POPs in a way that prevents these impacts from occurring.

Harborough District Council is working on how it can collect this type of waste and transport it to comply with the new guidance. Once a decision has been made, the Harborough District Bulky Waste Service web pages will be updated.
This decision to use legislation at short notice has affected the waste industry for disposal and councils who collect bulky waste or private companies, such as furniture outlets.

In addition, Harborough District Council will now have to undertake additional work to review the online diarised collection system due to these national legislation changes.

Cllr Jon Bateman, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for Environment and Waste said “These new requirements have quickly been put in place to protect our community, our health and the wellbeing of our wildlife. Whilst it may be inconvenient, we must comply to prevent the serious environmental impacts. We will keep residents updated with regards to this non-statutory waste removal service”.

In the lead up to Christmas, it is a timely reminder that fly-tipping is a crime and householders are legally responsible for any household waste produced on their property.

If booking a waste removal service, ask to see a valid waste carriers license. When shown, make sure you check the registration number is valid on the waste carriers register - which can be done on the Environment Agency website here: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

To report fly-tipping in the Harborough district visit: www.harborough.gov.uk/tipoff