There’s no denying that getting rid of outdated and unneeded furniture is a hassle. It is hefty and clumsy. So much so that, even if you’ve managed to get some assistance, simply taking stuff outside might be a back-breaking task.
Whether you’re moving, acquiring new furniture or appliances, or simply decluttering, it might be challenging to know how to get rid of large, unwanted items.
How Can I Safely Dispose of Furniture?
The amount of furniture you need to dispose of and how soon you want to finish the task will determine how you dispose of it. Make a list of the furniture you’re taking out and any other trash you need to toss out before you start.
Consider the furniture disposal options listed below once you’ve determined how much furniture you need to get rid of.
1. Leave It at the Curb
If you simply have a few tiny pieces, hauling furniture to the curb may be all that is required to remove it. However, you should first speak with your neighborhood service provider. In addition to your usual garbage collection, certain municipal and private trash collection providers will charge extra to dispose of furniture.
Your furniture may only be able to be thrown out for a particular amount of time or a limited number of things. For instance, bulk pickups are only done in many places a few times a year or once a month. Even before curbside pickup would take upholstered furniture, you might need to wrap it in plastic. Find out whether leaving the furniture at the curb is even permitted where you live.
2. Take It to a Drop-Off Site
Bring your furniture to a drop-off site if pickups are unavailable in your city. Most counties have a landfill or garbage dump where large waste items, such as furniture, are accepted.
However, remember that since these drop-off sites do not pick up furniture, you will need to make arrangements for the furniture yourself. This kind of furniture disposal may be preferable to a curbside collection if you reside in a remote region.
To find a drop-off location, check in with your local waste management or check online on Earth911. You can likely drop off your furniture for free if you’re a resident.
3. Rent a Dumpster
This is a simple and inexpensive method to dispose of furniture and other garbage during a house cleanup. Most dumpster rental sizes range from 8 to 40 yards that you can select from. Once you’ve decided on a size that works for your project, the company will deliver the container to your chosen location. Then you can easily pack the sofa, chairs, and other items into the bin.
When you’re finished, simply schedule a pickup online, and the items will be picked up. This option is perfect for house cleanouts and removal of a large amount of furniture or decluttering jobs since it allows you to sift through your belongings at your own speed.
Before you contact a dumpster rental service, it might help to check the Average Cost of Dumpster Rental.
4. Bring It To Scrap Merchant
If your furniture is made of metal, such as chairs, tables, or mattresses, you might be able to dispose of it at a nearby scrap metal dealer. Some scrap yards will even recycle metal spring mattresses if the fabric is first removed. Before recycling metal furniture, you should first verify if the steel is ferrous or non-ferrous.
Although the majority of scrap yards will accept any sort of metal, disposing of non-ferrous steel furniture will cost more. Hold a magnet up to your furniture to see the type you are working with. Non-ferrous metal is one that a magnet will not attract.
The scrapyard locator on the iScrap App can help you locate a local option for recycling metal furniture.
5. Landfill It
There are situations when you have no option. Maybe there are bedbugs on that old sofa. Maybe there’s no saving it. In any case, before you dispose of your furniture in a landfill, make sure you have exhausted all other options.
You might also be able to dispose of items yourself at the neighborhood landfill if you have the correct size of pickup vehicle. Check to see whether your local landfill has free bulk garbage disposal days if you don’t need to dispose of your old sofa right away, and wait until that time to do so.
Give them a call before transporting your items since some are closed to the public or may not be able to get rid of certain kinds of furniture.
6. Put It on Your Curb with a Free Sign
This is a common move among urban residents: they keep a piece of furniture out on the curb, turn around to go inside, and when you check on it through the window, it’s already gone.
This approach can occasionally be effective, but only in particular circumstances. However, only modestly sized items like small tables, document cabinets, and chairs should be used for this. If it’s larger than that, passing motorists won’t be able to stop and dump it in their cars swiftly. Additionally, you want to make sure you’re in a busy place.
7. Engage the Services of a Professional Waste Disposal Company
This service is especially handy if you are unable to legally hire a skip or put your furniture on the curbside.
So, suppose you want to dispose of a significant amount of furniture quickly and easily. In that case, all you should do is find a qualified and trustworthy garbage disposal agency in your neighborhood. A dependable garbage pickup and disposal service may help with one-time disposal of your furniture and recurring pickup.
A dependable trash collection and management service is a relatively simple, inexpensive, timely, and cost-effective planned solution to allowing large waste items like furniture to wind up in landfills.
8. Haul It Yourself
It’s also possible to physically transport old, unwanted furniture if a big enough dump truck or flatbed is available. Before loading up, make sure you know where the furniture is going—whether it’s to a recycling facility or scrap dealer—and that the disposal site is equipped to handle the quantity and variety of furniture you’re throwing out.
Some recycling and dumping facilities, like garbage removal services, could only take items on particular days or under particular circumstances. You should also examine the operating hours if it is going to a donation center.
9. Donate Your Furniture
If your item is still in usable condition, there’s no need to throw it out. The best option for you would be to donate it or sell it.
Usually, you may give gently used furniture to a local charity like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or the Red Cross. Many charities accept contributions, and some will even pick up the items for you, depending on where you live.
Some local groups might be able to make excellent use of any old computer desks, tables, or seats that are in good shape. Many churches, schools, and theatrical groups have tight budgets, so they might be able to use some of your old furniture for a forthcoming gathering or performance. It never hurts to inquire when in doubt. Ask your neighborhood groups whether they could utilize your fairly used products by giving them a call.
Some animal shelters may accept worn-out couches, loveseats, or sofa cushions for their furry friends to cuddle in if your items are too worn to donate. Contact your local humane society or shelter to find out if your old furniture can help out neighborhood animals in need.
10. Sell It
You can also put an ad up on Craigslist and sell it. Depending on the price and condition of the item, you might get more buyers than expected.
A smart, effective way to sell secondhand furniture is through online platforms. Check the prices being charged for furniture that is comparable to yours and set your furniture’s pricing accordingly. You might make some money with this form of furniture disposal, which is an added benefit. The downside of this method is that you will have to live with the furniture until it sells.
You can consider giving it to your friends or people around you who might not mind an old couch to put in the garage or something. It can appear to be junk to you. To someone else, however, it is a fully functional dining set. or a sofa. Or couch. This is something that college students appreciate as well. To be certain, make sure to look and ask around.
Conclusion
One of the most crucial ways to protect the environment is by recycling, but many people are unaware of the best practices for doing so with used furniture. A lot of people, rather than properly disposing of their furniture, just dump it around because of the hassle that comes with it.
Illegal dumping can harm your local environment and result in thousands of dollars in fines. Don’t dump your items illegally if you cannot leave them at the curb or at your local landfill.
