Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 16 January 2023

BULKY WASTE collections in Hinckley and Bosworth will be collected and disposed of in a new way.

That is due to newly-introduced legislation brought in by the Environment Agency and Defra which is now being enforced to help protect the environment – and it affects the collection of upholstered furniture, including sofas and chairs.

The environment protection agencies have stressed that at present, pollution and damage can be caused to aquatic environments when a fire-retardant product known as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) is found in upholstered furniture and taken to landfill.

But now, the product, which is typically found in sofas, armchairs, upholstered dining chairs, office chairs, bean bags, and upholstered furniture, must be incinerated and not taken to landfill.

Any residents who are booking a bulky item collection which includes upholstered furniture will now see this being collected separately from other large items.

Coun. Bill Crooks, the Borough Council’s Executive Member for Street Scene Services, said: “I am pleased to say that officers have acted quickly after this news of a change in legislation, and we will continue to operate our bulky waste collection, which I know is a service residents really value.

“The key change will mean that items containing POPs will need to be collected separately.

“We hope this will mean minimal disruption to our service however residents need to be aware of the changes. We are currently updating our online booking system to highlight these updates.

“The booking system remains the same. This change in legislation also affects private licensed waste carriers. Please ensure that anyone taking any waste away is licensed to do so as you can be fined if items are fly-tipped and traced back to you. Ask to see a carrier’s licence.”