After an investigation found large levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in seating textiles and foams, the Agency warned councils in September that they must incinerate all upholstered waste domestic seating rather than sending these items to landfill (see letsrecycle.com story).
In a letter to councils, the Agency said it would undertake an assessment of compliance “across the sector” from January 2023.
The LGA says the this caused “some initial confusion” with the timetable for when councils needed to comply with rules on upholstered waste domestic seating. However, it said “they have since clarified that 31 December is not a ‘cut off’ date and they expect a period of adjustment where they will not be any enforcement action.”
Infrastructure
However, one area of concern remains on treatment infrastructure.
A report to go before an environment meeting on Thursday (17 November) says the LGA has identified a number of concerns about “gaps” in the country for shredding and incinerating waste soft furnishings.
The report explains: “Defra has commissioned research into the impact on councils and the Environment Agency is drafting regulatory position statements to help with interim solutions, such as setting up temporary storage facilities.
“The LGA is continuing to work with councils, Defra and the Environment Agency to ensure that the costs are fully understood and that there is a pragmatic approach to the transition period and a plan for addressing the shortfall in disposal infrastructure.”
POPs guidance
After the guidance was first published, the Environment Agency faced a backlash from large parts of the industry over timelines.
The Environmental Services Association, the trade body for the private waste sector, called for a 12-month delay to the rules over capacity concerns, the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) said it “struggled to see the benefit” of the guidance and waste management company FCC Environment said it seemed “disproportionate”.
As revealed by letsrecycle.com, the Agency sought to allay some of these fears earlier this month by detailing the “staged” approach to enforcement (see letsrecycle.com story).
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