Hazardous Waste Rules - What Does It Mean for Skip Hire?

Are you planning to clear out the living room? And the old sofa is finally heading to the skip. It might seem simple; however, it isn’t. By simply hiring a skip, you cannot dump your old sofa. There are rules for skip hire in Rushden regarding the disposal of hazardous waste. Upholstered furniture like sofas, armchairs and cushions is now classified as hazardous waste.

When you plan the disposal, make sure yoy get acquainted with the rules that the skip hire company follows regarding the management of hazardous waste.

Why are sofas considered hazardous?

The presence of fire-retardant chemicals, particularly POP-BFRs, in the design and manufacturing of old sofas makes them hazardous material when being disposed of. These chemicals are widely used in foam fillings to meet the required fire safety standards. However, it becomes difficult to break down these chemicals during disposal. Hence, it can be harmful if they end up in a general landfill.

Because of this, sofas, armchairs, and cushioned furniture are now handled and treated as hazardous materials. Even if the piece looks ordinary from the outer end, it is not suitable for general disposal.

How do skip hire companies handle this?

1. Extra charge

Most skip hire companies charge separate charges for collection, handling, and disposal of the hazardous waste. Most skip hire companies add a small additional charge for sofas, armchairs and cushions. It’s not about making the job expensive; rather, it helps the companies to find genuine ways to dispose of the waste.

2. Informating companies

If you know that you’re going to discard upholstered furniture during your house clearance, then it is essential that you inform the skip hire company. This will help the company to make paperwork beforehand and start the disposal accordingly. Getting a surprise on the day of collection can make it difficult for the skip hire company to make arrangements for the hazardous furniture pieces.

3. Using unfair means

Sometimes, in order to avoid extra costs, homeowners end up hiding the upholstered furniture pieces. However, availing unfair means and trying to sneak in the furniture pieces might make it non-compliant and cause delays. The company might also refuse clearance. This will unnecessarily slow down the home clearance process.

However, before planning to discard the old furniture, check and make sure that it has been damaged completely. If there is any chance of revival, then it is better to restore the furniture rather than discarding it.

Planning a clearance? Get in touch with professionals.
If you’re planning a full house or a garden clearance, get in touch with ABSS Skip Hire. We offer a wide variety of skip sizes with a quick and reliable same-day delivery service at unbeatable prices. We also offer garden and property clearances, demolition services, asbestos removal, a wait-and-load service and aggregate supply. Reach out to us for skip hire services at unbeatable prices. We have a team of friendly members who can help you with queries. We also offer same-day disposal services.