Defence PFAS waste
Foam stocks, system flushings, training-ground residues and contaminated PPE from defence sites. We take it off your hands and see it destroyed by high-temperature incineration in the UK, with collection, paperwork and a certificate of destruction through one company. We can work direct or under your estate contractor.
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What we take
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.
- 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 5 years for defence land sites and 10 years for military vessels. HSE's opinion records that the MoD intends to phase out land-based PFAS foam use within the standard 5-year period, and that MoD fuel storage sites fall under separate major-accident rules rather than COMAH. 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
- 24 Sep 2025Evidence
Why incineration. The Environment Agency's evidence review found high-temperature incineration can achieve destruction efficiencies above 99.99% for PFAS in firefighting foams at 1,100 °C with a 2–3 second residence time. It calls it the only proven method for large-scale PFAS destruction. Activated carbon and ion exchange don't destroy PFAS; they leave PFAS-rich residuals.
Source: Environment Agency: Rapid evidence assessment of PFAS incineration, 24 Sep 2025
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
What transition is proposed for defence?
Under HSE's proposed UK REACH restriction, 5 years for defence land sites and 10 years for military vessels. Both are proposals; 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
Can PFOA foam waste be sent abroad for destruction?
No. The Environment Agency states that PFOA foam wastes are not allowed to be exported for disposal. We see it destroyed in the UK.
Can you work under our estate or FM contractor?
Yes. We can work direct or under your prime contractor. Tell us the contract requirements up front, including site access and any security requirements, and we'll confirm what we can meet before we quote.
What paperwork do we get?
Consignment records for the collection and a certificate of destruction for each job, for your duty-of-care records.
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.