Fluorend / Sectors / Fire & rescue
Fire & rescue · Fire-protection contractorsAFFF foam disposal
Changing to fluorine-free foam? We take the old AFFF, the flushings from the changeover and the contaminated PPE off your hands, and see it destroyed by high-temperature incineration in the UK. Collection, paperwork and certificate of destruction through one company. Small lots welcome.
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Storing PFOA foam waste in England? Since 7 September 2026 the Environment Agency's RPS 376 lets you store it while it waits for high-temperature incineration, if you meet the conditions. One of them is sending the EA written confirmation that an appropriately permitted site will accept the waste. Once your waste is accepted, we send you the permitted site's written confirmation of acceptance, with the expected destruction date where available, so you have the paperwork RPS 376 asks for.
What we take
For fire-protection contractors
Doing AFFF-to-fluorine-free changeovers for your customers? Send the old foam and flushings to us. You get one fixed quote per job, collection on an agreed date and a certificate of destruction for your customer's records.
Why it matters now
- 5 Jul 2025In force
PFOA foam use banned. Using firefighting foams that contain PFOA, and systems contaminated with them, has been banned since 5 July 2025 under the UK POPs regulation. Old PFOA foam can't be used, so it is waste, and the PFOA in it must be destroyed.
Source: Environment Agency: Using persistent organic pollutants (POPs), updated 26 Jan 2026; UK POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 as it applies in the UK
- 7 Sep 2026In force · England
RPS 376: storing PFOA foam waste. The Environment Agency now lets producers store PFOA foam waste while it awaits high-temperature incineration, if they meet its conditions. These include secondary containment for liquids, emailing the EA before relying on it, and sending the EA written confirmation that an appropriately permitted site will accept the waste. It covers concentrates, mixtures and flushings, plus PPE, absorbents, containers and equipment that haven't been decontaminated. The EA says UK high-temperature incineration plants are currently working at capacity for these wastes, and that they are not allowed to be exported for disposal. Review due by 5 July 2027.
- May 2025In force
POPs waste must be destroyed. Waste at or above the POPs limits is POPs waste, and the POPs in it must be destroyed or irreversibly transformed. Limits include PFOS 50 mg/kg; PFOA and its salts 1 mg/kg (0.025 mg/kg in firefighting foam mixtures); PFHxS and its salts 1 mg/kg. Mixing doesn't help: a mixed load must be managed as POPs waste, even if the mixing diluted it below the limit.
Source: Environment Agency: Identify and classify waste containing POPs, updated 8 May 2025
- Jun 2026Proposal
UK foam restriction proposed, not yet law. HSE's Agency Opinion concludes that restricting PFAS in firefighting foams is appropriate, with transition periods set by sector. It proposes 18 months for fire and rescue services and for training and testing, and 5 years' use for portable extinguishers (6 months to place them on the market). The socio-economic consultation closed on 7 September 2026. Defra's decision is expected in 2027. Until then, non-PFOA fluorinated foams are not banned in Great Britain.
Source: HSE: UK REACH restriction on PFAS in firefighting foam (consultation and Agency Opinion, June 2026); Defra: PFAS Plan, updated 17 Aug 2026
Rules last checked 30 October 2026. Proposals can change before they become law. Outside England, rules differ: tell us your site postcode.
How it works
Questions
Can we still use PFOA-containing AFFF?
No. The Environment Agency states that use of PFOA foams and contaminated systems has been banned since 5 July 2025.
Source: Environment Agency: Using persistent organic pollutants (POPs), updated 26 Jan 2026
What about fluorinated foams without PFOA, such as C6?
They are not banned in Great Britain today. HSE has proposed a UK REACH restriction with an 18-month transition for fire and rescue services and for training and testing. It is a proposal: Defra's decision is expected in 2027.
Source: HSE: UK REACH restriction on PFAS in firefighting foam (consultation and Agency Opinion, June 2026); Defra: PFAS Plan, updated 17 Aug 2026
How do we know if our foam contains PFOA?
The Environment Agency suggests asking the supplier or manufacturer, testing the material, or getting it analysed by a laboratory. Send us the safety data sheet or any analysis with your enquiry.
Source: Environment Agency: Identify and classify waste containing POPs, updated 8 May 2025
Can we store waste foam while we arrange disposal?
In England, RPS 376 allows producers to store PFOA foam waste awaiting high-temperature incineration if they meet its conditions. These include secondary containment, notifying the EA before relying on the RPS, and sending written confirmation that a permitted site will accept the waste. Outside England, rules differ.
Can we dilute flushings or mix them with other waste?
No. You must take all reasonable steps to avoid mixing POPs waste with other waste. If it is mixed, the whole load must be managed as POPs waste and the POPs destroyed, even if the mixing has diluted them below the limit.
Source: Environment Agency: Identify and classify waste containing POPs, updated 8 May 2025
More answers on the PFAS waste FAQ.
Get it off site
Tell us the waste type, quantity and site postcode. We check it for acceptance and send a fixed, all-in quote within 2 working days. Small lots welcome.