Filenews 14 November 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Old furniture, mattresses and carpets that today are either transported to green places, or given for use to charities, or even disposed of uncontrollably, will now be managed, in the context of preventing waste generation and promoting reuse and repair.
According to the principle of "Extended Producer Responsibility", liable producers are those who place products, furniture, mattresses and carpets on the market, i.e. producers and importers. On the basis of this Authority, the Department of the Environment is proceeding with an important initiative so that the obligated producers create collective management systems for the waste derived from these products. In this direction, it submitted for public consultation the draft Regulations for the Management of Waste of Furniture, Mattresses and Carpets. The draft is available for comments on the e-Consultation online platform and will remain open until 26 October 2025.
The regulations are based on the provisions of the Waste Law (Law of 2011 to 2022) and are part of the implementation of the principle of extended producer responsibility. The aim is to organize an integrated waste collection and management system, with an emphasis on prevention, reuse, recycling and energy recovery.
According to the draft, producers and importers who place products such as furniture, mattresses and carpets on the market are required to participate in collective waste management schemes. These bodies will be responsible for organising collection points, ensuring that waste is transported to treatment plants and promoting its reuse and recycling.
At the same time, distributors and distributors are obliged to receive the old products from consumers when buying new ones, at no additional charge, either directly or by covering the cost of transport.
The regulations provide for the operation of Green Points and reuse centers, while cooperation with local authorities is encouraged to organize collection points and conduct information campaigns.
The competent bodies will also be responsible for providing certificates to producers and collection points to ensure transparency and recording of the quantities they manage each year.
The Regulations aim to prevent waste generation, reuse and recycling of materials, reduce the impact on the environment and human health, avoid the uncontrolled disposal of furniture, mattresses and carpets, strengthen the "polluter pays" principle, and integrate citizens into the cycle of good waste management.
The implementation of the Regulations is expected to contribute to the achievement of national and European environmental targets, while laying the foundations for a more sustainable management of bulky waste.
Stakeholders, organizations, businesses and citizens are invited to study the draft and submit their views and suggestions through the e-Consultation platform, thus enhancing transparency and inclusivity in the decision-making process.
The plan provides that for each collective system, the Minister will set license conditions with the objectives of preparation for reuse, recycling and recovery. Targets for at least 50 % of the quantities disposed of in the previous three years may be set annually.
