Furniture Disposal Guide

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If your old furniture is in good condition, you might be wondering, “Where can I donate my old furniture?”

Donating unwanted furniture to local charities is an environmentally friendly and hassle-free way to dispose of an old couch, bedroom set or dining room table. The truth is, typically about 60% of used furniture can be donated.

What charities accept furniture donations? Some non-profits clean and refurbish lightly used furniture for families in need, or those affected by disasters or financial hardship. If a charity is unable to accept a furniture item due to current demand, consider donating to organizations like Goodwill or the Salvation Army who resell furniture to support community and sustainability initiatives. By donating your used furniture, you contribute to improving both community welfare and waste reduction.

Although, many organizations will pickup donated furniture items for you, many are backed up months in advance and are picky about what they accept. If you want something donated right away, the fastest option is to book a donation pickup with LoadUp.

Nationwide Charities LoadUp Supports

Goodwill

Accepts donations of used furniture, appliances, household or office items and used clothing.

The Salvation Army

Accepts donations of furniture, clothing, automobiles, household goods and appliances.

Habitat for Humanity

Accepts donations of used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials and more.

Furniture Bank Assoc.

Each location has specific requirements on the furniture that they are willing to accept.

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When it comes to moving or downsizing, oversized and worn-out furniture often ends up in local landfills. However, given the significant number of old furniture items discard each year, it’s important to consider the consequences landfill dumping has on the environment and how to reduce it.

The Facts: The average weight of a typical piece of furniture ranges from 100 to 300 pounds resulting in approximately 2 yards of waste. Most furniture items are made using chemicals including formaldehyde, some heavy toxic metals, flame retardants and more. When furniture is tossed in a landfill, the area is exposed. That’s why furniture recycling is the key to a sustained environment.

*Most new furniture is now manufactured without harmful chemicals, but a significant portion of items being thrown away today still contain them.

Contribute to a safer Earth by recycling your furniture today!
Learn More ❯

City Recycling Programs

In response to landfill overcrowding and growing environmental concerns, numerous cities in the United States have implemented eco-friendly furniture recycling programs to reduce waste and energy consumption. Even cities without specific environmental initiatives now boast state-of-the-art recycling centers that promote and advocate for sustainable practices.

Certain programs offer the option of picking up your old furniture items for recycling for a fee. However, you will need to transport items to the transfer station yourself. To avoid any inconvenience, it’s advisable to contact your local recycling center beforehand and confirm whether they are accepting your items. This will save you from dragging your desks, coffee tables, and other furniture to the curb unnecessarily.

Furniture Items Not Recyclable:

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Why not try to recoup a dollars by reselling furniture that is still in pristine or good condition? You could even use the money you make from selling old furniture to help pay for new items. There are a few easy ways to sell your used furniture, but it will require some effort on your part. The truth is, less than half of furniture gets resold.

Craigslist functions similar to a local newspaper’s classified section. It’s free to list your unwanted furniture in your city’s for sale section and interested buyers will contact you through the website. Always meet buyers in a public area rather than inviting them to your home for pick-up.

OfferUp is a mobile app that allows you to sell items without selling fees or shipping costs, with exchanges done in person. One notable advantage of using OfferUp is the ability to review both buyers and sellers to gauge their trustworthiness before completing the transaction.

Facebook Marketplace connects you with local individuals in the area. To increase your chances of selling, make your post public, repost in online yard sale groups, keep the price competitive, include an appealing photo, full description, and promptly respond to all inquiries.

NextDoor connects you with local individuals that live in your direct neighborhood giving you a better chance of people nearby wanting your new-to-them items quicker. Conveniently, anything you do not sell, you can move to the free section of NextDoor to get rid of quicker.

View Hot Tips for selling your used furniture online!
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There are often friends or neighbors seeking affordable furniture without wanting to spend a significant amount and are generally willing to handle the logistics for free items. This alternative is similar to donating your used furniture, with the difference being that you cannot claim it as a tax deduction.

Help a Student

College students often appreciate free items and (not that we condone it) we’ve all seen a couch burning party after a major sports team win!

Keep It in the Family

Ask friends and family if they know someone in need of the used item, they may just have a spare room the old bedroom set is perfect for themselves!

Boost a Fundraiser

Keep an eye out for a church or community thrift sale to donate it to. It’s a win-win situation: you get to declutter and contribute to a good cause at the same time.

Be a Good Neighbor

Post a photo and description of your furniture on NextDoor, FreeCycle or neighborhood Facebook groups for folks who would love to pick it for free.

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If you’re looking to upgrade your living room without breaking the bank on new furniture, consider fixing up the furniture to enhance it’s appearance. These quick improvements can give your furniture a fresh look and make it more comfortable until you’re ready to make a new purchase.

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Repurposing old furniture that’s still in good condition is a great way to give it a second chance on life and keeps it out of a landfill. Get creative with simple DIYs and everyday tools to upcycle your furniture.

Creative ideas for repurposing furniture

• Transform an old dresser into a bathroom vanity
• Use an old wooden chest as toy storage solution
• Turn a headboard into a garden bench
• Repurpose couch cushions into a pet bed
• Turn an old hutch into a coat closet
• TV Stand into plant/book shelf

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Dumping old furniture in public places, on the curb or even in a dumpster may seem tempting, but it’s not a good idea. It can cause problems for the environment or come with a fine. It’s better to find a responsible way to dispose of it.

To save time, effort, and money, consider hiring a professional furniture removal service to do the job for you.

Reasons to Hire LoadUp Professionals

Our team of licensed and insured professionals will handle the entire removal process, from pick-up to disposal. We accept a wide range of furniture items and provide affordable and comprehensive services for all your disposal needs. View Pricing ❯

We will take one piece of furniture or offer an entire property clean-out. We can get rid of any unwanted items you no longer need. Whether it’s a sofa, chair, table, or any other junk, we’re here to help. What We Take ❯

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Dumping your old furniture in a dumpster is a no-go. First, it’s illegal, looks bad in the neighborhood, and doesn’t solve the problem and it is not a responsible method of disposal.

Environmental Impact

Your choices can greatly affect the environment through chemical run-off from pollution and creating a trashy eyesore in your community. It’s important to consider the impact of your actions and opt for responsible disposal methods.

When disposing of your old, used, and unwanted furniture, please consider these facts before making the mistake of improperly dumping it:

• Sofas are filled with dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde.
• Chemical runoff contaminates soil and local water supplies.
• Each couch takes up an average of 52 cubic feet of landfill space.
• Over 20 million tons of furniture end up in landfills every year.

Do the Right Thing!

Improperly dumping furniture is not only illegal but also detrimental to the community and our planet. It’s crucial to be responsible and explore alternative options for disposal. Consider the options mentioned in this furniture disposal guide to make environmentally friendly choices and preserve our planet for future generations.

If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact us and our friendly, dedicated LoadUp support team will help you find the furniture disposal solution that’s just right for you!

General FAQ: Furniture Removal Options