Sustainability & Responsible Furniture Disposal

At Reynolds, we believe that buying new furniture should not mean forgetting about what happens to the old. As a long-established, family-run furniture retailer in Bognor Regis, we understand the importance of looking after our customers, our local community and the environment.

When we offer furniture disposal as part of a delivery, we aim to handle old furniture as responsibly as possible. Where furniture can be reused, recycled or broken down into recyclable materials, this will always be our preferred route. However, not all furniture can be recycled, and some items must now be disposed of under strict environmental regulations.

Furniture Collection & Disposal Service

When customers choose our disposal service, you will be charged a dosposal fee and a seperate collection fee.

This means we are not simply charging to “take furniture away”. The fee helps cover:

• The collection of the old furniture from your home
• Transport and handling
• Sorting and separation where required
• Disposal through the correct waste channels
• Compliance with current environmental regulations

We know disposal costs can sometimes feel expensive, but furniture waste particularly sofas, armchairs and other upholstered seating has become much more complex and costly to deal with in recent years.

Can Old Furniture Be Recycled?

Where possible, we will always look for the most sustainable disposal option.

Many types of furniture can often be recycled, especially items containing materials such as:

• Wood
• Metal
• Some plastics
• Glass
• Certain cabinet furniture components

If an item is still in good, usable condition, we may try donating it, passing it on, selling it, or using a local charity or reuse scheme where appropriate. 

Why Sofas and Upholstered Furniture Are Harder to Dispose Of

Upholstered domestic seating, such as sofas, armchairs, sofa beds, recliner chairs, footstools, dining chairs with upholstery and loose cushions, may contain Persistent Organic Pollutants, often known as POPs.

POPs are chemical substances that break down very slowly and can be harmful to the environment if they are not disposed of correctly. UK Government guidance says upholstered domestic seating may contain POPs in areas such as foam, fabric, leather, synthetic leather, covers and backings. 

The most common POPs found in waste upholstered seating include flame-retardant chemicals such as DecaBDE, HBCDD, PentaBDE and TetraBDE. These were historically used in furniture materials, particularly foams and coverings, to help meet fire safety requirements. 

What Changed With Furniture Disposal Rules?

From January 2023, new compliance procedures came into effect for waste upholstered domestic seating. Local authorities and waste companies had to change the way they handle these items because some upholstered seating has been found to contain POPs above legal limits. 

Government guidance states that waste containing POPs must not be recycled or reused in the usual way — the POPs must be destroyed. 

This is why many upholstered items can no longer simply go into general waste or standard recycling. They often need to be kept separate and sent for specialist treatment, which may include controlled incineration.

Why Is Furniture Disposal So Expensive?

Furniture disposal is expensive because it involves much more than removing an item from a home.

The cost can include:

• Labour — large items such as sofas, beds and wardrobes often require two people to remove safely
• Transport — bulky items take up significant space in vehicles
• Waste transfer costs — licensed waste companies charge to process furniture correctly
• Separation of materials — some items must be sorted into different waste streams
• Specialist disposal for upholstered furniture — sofas and armchairs may need to be treated as POPs waste
• Environmental compliance — businesses must follow legal requirements for storing, transporting and disposing of waste

For upholstered seating, the cost is especially affected by the POPs regulations. These items may need to be collected separately from other bulky waste and handled through specialist disposal routes, rather than being recycled or landfilled as standard waste. 

Will My Old Furniture Go to Landfill?

Where possible, we will always aim to avoid landfill.

However, some furniture cannot be reused or recycled. This may be because of its condition, contamination, damage, mixed materials, or current waste regulations.

If an item cannot be recycled or reused, it may need to be disposed of through landfill or another approved waste route. 

Our Sustainability Commitment

As an independent furniture retailer serving Bognor Regis, Chichester, West Sussex and the surrounding areas, we care about doing things properly.

Our approach is simple:

• We aim to recycle furniture wherever possible
• We encourage reuse where furniture is still in good condition
• We use responsible disposal routes for items that cannot be recycled
• We follow current UK waste and environmental guidance
• We are honest with customers about why disposal carries a cost

We know sustainability is not about making perfect claims. It is about making better, more responsible choices wherever possible.

Why does Reynolds charge for furniture disposal?

Our disposal charge covers collection, transport, handling and the cost of using the correct waste disposal routes. Furniture disposal has become more expensive because many upholstered items, such as sofas and armchairs, may contain POPs and must be handled separately under UK environmental guidance.

Can old sofas be recycled?

Some parts of a sofa may contain recyclable materials, but upholstered seating is now more difficult to recycle because it may contain Persistent Organic Pollutants in the foam, fabric or coverings. Government guidance says waste containing POPs must not be recycled or reused in the usual way and the POPs must be destroyed. 

What are POPs in furniture?

POPs stands for Persistent Organic Pollutants. These are chemical substances that break down very slowly and can be harmful to the environment. In upholstered furniture, POPs may be found in foam, fabric, covers or backing materials. 

Does all old furniture go to landfill?

No. Where possible, furniture is reused, recycled or separated into recyclable materials. However, some items cannot be recycled due to their condition, materials or legal disposal requirements. Upholstered seating may need specialist disposal rather than standard landfill.

What furniture items are affected by POPs rules?

UK Government guidance applies to upholstered domestic seating. This can include sofas, armchairs, sofa beds, recliner chairs, upholstered dining chairs, footstools, cushions and similar household seating containing fabric, leather, synthetic leather or foam.