Can you recycle sofas & armchairs?

Usable sofas with the fire-safety label attached are collected free by furniture charities (British Heart Foundation, Emmaus, local reuse networks). Without the label charities legally can't resell them — then it's council bulky collection or the recycling centre.

Tips

• Check under the cushions for the fire label before calling a charity
• LoveJunk-style apps and council collections beat unlicensed 'man with a van' — you're liable if your waste is fly-tipped

Which bin does it go in?

Charity furniture collection if it has its fire label; otherwise council bulky waste or recycling centre.

Before throwing it away, see reuse, repair and donation routes.

Background: The decluttering disposal checklist.

Also searched as: sofa, settee, couch, armchair, furniture.