July 2025

Due to environmental regulations being enforced by SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), Aberdeenshire Council must now handle waste upholstered seating differently to protect the environment.

These items may contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) - harmful chemicals that must be destroyed safely by incineration and kept separate from other items of waste and recycling streams.

What are POPs?

Persistent Organic Pollutants are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and pose a risk to the environment.  They are commonly found in older upholstered domestic seating and include flame retardants, plasticisers and dyes.  Regulatory measures introduced by SEPA now require special handling and disposal of these items.

What is affected?

All waste upholstered seating is affected by these regulations - anything that is designed to be sat on including:

sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen/dining room chairs, home office chairs, futons, beanbags, stools and footstools, floor and sofa cushions, highchairs with upholstery, electric recling chairs.

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

Beds and mattresses are not included.

With regards to the household recycling centres, we are advising customers to do the following:

• Please check before visiting which sites can accept these items.


• Portsoy, Alford & Insch cannot accept any due to space limitations.


• Rips and tears should be taped up prior to deposit


• Use the skips marked for upholstered seating - if you need assistance, speak to site staff


• Follow instructions provided by site staff


• Any incorrectly disposed of upholstered item could lead to extra disposal costs to the council and potential loss of recyclable materials

Further information is available through the council website, on-site and through social media channels.