Foam-system changeover

Moving from PFAS (AFFF) foam to fluorine-free foam? We plan the changeover with you, arrange rinse-water testing by an independent laboratory (or work from your own lab's results), and collect the old concentrate, rinse water and contaminated parts and PPE for high-temperature destruction in the UK. You get one documentation pack at the end.

Request a quote →Check rinse-water results

1100°C min.
2 sec

What's in the bundle

PlanWe agree the scope with you or your contractor: which systems, how much foam and rinse water, how it is held on site, and when it is collected.Before work starts

Sample and verifyRinse-water samples are tested by an independent laboratory we arrange, or by your own lab. The results are compared with the verification target you set for the system.During flushing

Collect and destroyOld concentrate, rinse water and flushings, and contaminated parts and PPE, collected and destroyed by high-temperature incineration in the UK.IBCs / drums / sacks

DocumentOne pack for your records: the plan, the lab results, consignment records and certificates of destruction.At the end

Free check

Already have rinse-water results? Check them against the GB POPs waste limits with our free POPs check in rinse-water mode. Several samples on one certificate get one line each. The certificate is read in your browser and not sent to us.

Who does what

Your fire-protection contractor does the flushing and refill on site. We plan the waste side with them, arrange the testing if you need it and the collections, and keep the paperwork in one place.

We know of no legal “clean” level for a flushed foam system. You set the verification target, for example with the system owner or the foam supplier, and the lab results show each rinse against it.

We work with permitted UK high-temperature facilities; the destination is confirmed on your consignment paperwork.

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.
Source: Environment Agency: RPS 376, published 7 Sep 2026
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. To check your own lab results against these limits, use our free POPs check.
Source: Environment Agency: Identify and classify waste containing POPs, updated 8 May 2025

How it works

1EnquireSystem type, foam and rinse-water volumes

2PlanWe check acceptance, agree the scope and send a fixed quote

3Flush and sampleYour contractor flushes the system; the rinse water is tested by an independent lab (ours or yours)

4Collect and destroyBy registered hazardous-waste transport, to high-temperature incineration in the UK

5DocumentOne pack: plan, lab results, consignment records, certificates of destruction

Questions

Is there a legal “clean” level for a flushed foam system?

Not one that we know of. The verification target is your own figure, agreed with the system owner, your contractor or the foam supplier. The lab results show each rinse against it.

Which POPs limits apply to rinse water?

The law sets a lower PFOA limit for firefighting foam mixtures, but doesn't say whether rinse water counts. Our free POPs check uses the stricter foam limit for rinse water by default and shows the general-limit result alongside.

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

Where does the waste go?

We work with permitted UK high-temperature facilities; the destination is confirmed on your consignment paperwork.

Request a quote

Tell us about the systems. We check the details for acceptance and reply within 2 working days. Rough figures are fine.