Veolia AFFF Disposal Solutions
Veolia offers specialised AFFF disposal solutions designed to help industries comply with the latest regulations and ensure environmental safety. In a UK first, Veolia has launched a new service to treat Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) fire suppressants containing certain PFAS* with an expected 99.999% efficiency.
The specialist treatment at Veolia's High-Temperature Incinerator (HTI) at Ellesmere Port uses temperatures of 1100 degrees Celsius to dispose of AFFF extinguishers and fire suppressants.
High-Temperature Incineration:
Veolia's HTI facility at Ellesmere Port uses temperatures of 1100 degrees Celsius to dispose of AFFF extinguishers and fire suppressants. Veolia’s state-of-the-art process has been approved by the Environment Agency, with a wide-ranging monitoring and testing programme for all emissions and residues, expecting to achieve up to 99.999% destruction efficiency.
Regulatory Compliance:
Veolia is committed to helping businesses meet stringent regulatory requirements associated with AFFF disposal. Our services ensure compliance with UK regulations, including the ban on AFFF containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a type of PFAS.
Capacity Management:
Our Ellesmere Port facility has limited capacity for AFFF disposal, and we work closely with customers to manage this capacity effectively. Businesses are encouraged to plan ahead to secure their disposal needs.
What is AFFF?
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) has long been used for tackling flammable liquid fires, especially in high-risk industrial environments. However, the use of these foams, which contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will be banned in the UK this year as they have potential bioaccumulative toxicity which may impact both the environment and human health.
What is the AFFF ban in July 2025?
Effective 4 July 2025, the UK has introduced a ban on AFFF fire extinguishers containing PFOA - a type of harmful PFAS, requiring affected sectors to manage the safe disposal and replacement of these materials. This significant regulatory change aims to mitigate environmental and health risks associated with these persistent substances.
Which industries are most affected by the AFFF ban?
AFFFs are a firefighting foam that has been extensively used for a number of years to combat flammable liquid fires across a range of applications covering the aviation, petrochemical, military, oil and gas, fire service and industrial sectors. These industries are among the most impacted by the ban on AFFFs containing PFOA, with further restrictions anticipated to cover other PFAS-based foams in the future.
Timeline for AFFF Regulations
2019 - PFOA Designated a POP
PFOA, found in some AFFFs, was added to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation.**
2020 - AFFF Restrictions Introduced
Sale of AFFF extinguishers containing PFOA banned in the UK.
Use of AFFF containing PFAS including PFOA for training prohibited.
July 4th 2025 - AFFF Fire Extinguishers Ban
AFFF containing PFOA - a type of PFAS can no longer be used for any purpose.
Existing stock must be securely contained and disposed of.
Sites must notify the Environment Agency and use an accredited disposal company.
Action Steps for Compliance
1. Audit Your Equipment: Identify and catalogue all fire suppression systems and extinguishers currently using AFFF (containing PFAS, including PFOA).
2. Consult with Experts: Engage with fire safety professionals to explore PFAS-free alternatives suitable for your specific operational needs.
3. Plan for Safe Disposal: Coordinate with licensed hazardous waste disposal services to ensure environmentally responsible removal of non-compliant equipment.
Need Assistance?
Our team is here to guide you through the transition, offering expertise in compliant and facilitating safe disposal processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When has PFOA-based AFFF been banned in the UK?
The full ban on PFOA-based AFFF use in the UK came into effect on 4 July 2025. After this date, AFFF containing PFOA can no longer be used or stored and must be disposed of by a licensed contractor.
Why has AFFF containing PFOA been banned?
AFFFs are firefighting foams that have been extensively used for a number of years to combat flammable liquid fires across a range of applications covering the aviation, petrochemical, military, oil and gas, fire service and industrial sectors.
However, PFAS-based AFFFs have potential bioaccumulative toxicity which may impact both the environment and human health. With safer alternatives now available, the use of AFFF containing PFOA - a type of PFAS - has been banned in the UK since July 4th 2025, with further restrictions for other PFAS-based AFFFs likely to follow to protect people and the planet.
How should I dispose of PFAS-based AFFF?
AFFF containing PFAS, including PFOA, must be disposed of by a licensed hazardous waste company. Veolia offers compliant disposal through high-temperature incineration at our permitted facility in Ellesmere Port.
Is AFFF disposal capacity limited?
Yes. In a UK first, Veolia is able to treat certain PFAS using temperatures of 1100 degrees Celsius at Veolia Ellesmere Port, which is playing a crucial role in addressing the estimated 10,000+ tonnes of AFFF applications requiring treatment across the UK.
Can Veolia help with regulatory paperwork?
Absolutely. We assist with everything from environmental notifications to waste tracking and compliance documentation.
**The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty focused on protecting human health and the environment from harmful chemicals. In 2019, the Convention added PFOA (a type of PFAS) to its list of restricted substances, and in 2023, PFHxS was also added. PFOS, another PFAS compound, was listed in 2009. Under the Convention, parties must take measures to eliminate or restrict the production and use of these chemicals.
The listing of these PFAS chemicals acknowledges their persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic nature, as well as their ability to travel long distances in the environment. Countries that are party to the Convention are required to develop action plans and implement control measures to phase out these substances, though some specific exemptions are allowed for essential uses.
*Substances included in the Environment Agency approved process are:
• Perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)