Waste from sofas, cushions and other soft furnishings should be treated — and discarded — like e-waste, says Phys.org, reporting on a review led by William Stubbings at the University of Birmingham.

Both electronics and sofa waste contain brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which can harm the environment and humans.

At least two thirds of e-waste in the UK has to be treated before it can enter landfill, while furniture waste isn’t regulated.

According to Phys.org, UK households dispose of almost a million metric tons of furniture and textiles each year, most of which ends up in landfill. The rest is incinerated.

In June, the EPA identified safer alternatives to the flame retardants now used in consumer and commercial products, including building insulation and products with flexible polyurethane foam, to help industries choose safer chemicals.

Photo Credit: old sofa via Shutterstock