Decision details

From 1 January 2023 new regulations from the Environment Agency required waste upholstered domestic seating (WUDS) that is contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to be incinerated to destroy the POPs and prevent their escape into the environment.  Landfill of this waste is no longer permitted.

Due to the late publication of the regulations before implementation, arrangements with our contractors were put in place at very short notice for the shredding and haulage of WUDS, and incineration of WUDS at Ardley ERF under the residual waste treatment contract with Viridor. Continued spend under the Viridor contract has met a key decision threshold requiring approval.  

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting.

The Chair noted that this was a good example of policy being developed at short notice due to the Environment Agency activating guidance.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, noted that the guidance would be continually monitored for changes, and agreed to the recommendations.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the utilisation of the residual waste treatment contract for the treatment of Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating containing Persistent Organic Pollutants and,

b)    Delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Highways in Consultation with the Head of Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer to enter into any necessary documentation with Viridor Oxfordshire Limited to secure such utilisation