Whether you’re dealing with property damage after a natural disaster, replacing furniture that’s been ruined by pets or kids, or simply upgrading worn-out furniture, you’re likely wondering how to get rid of old, broken furniture in a way that’s both easy and eco-friendly.
Getting rid of old, broken furniture can be tricky, especially depending on your local furniture disposal options and how severe the damage is.
Truthfully, only used furniture in good condition can be donated or sold. But if your sectional couch or guest bed has splits, scratches, tears, stains, water damage, or pet damage, there are still plenty of ways to get rid of it responsibly.
Before dragging your broken furniture to the curb or tossing a waterlogged dresser into a dumpster, check out these furniture disposal options to help you decide what to do next.
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How to get rid of old furniture
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How Do You Dispose of Old Broken Furniture?
Before making any decisions about the disposal method, it’s important to take stock of the furniture you’ll be throwing away, as well as any other items around your home that you may want to dispose of.
How you dispose of furniture depends mostly on what it is, the amount of it you have, what materials it’s made of and, honestly, how much time you have.
Your first thought was probably to drag your old broken furniture out to your curb. This is usually a workable option, but only when you have a few small items to get rid of.
However, you should contact your garbage pickup service or local solid waste office before placing any large items on the street. Most municipal and private trash collection services limit the number or volume of items residents can leave out and often charge additional fees for picking up furniture and other bulky waste, on top of regular trash pickup.
There are likely to be additional restrictions when leaving bulky items at the curb for pickup. You may be limited to a specific week or even just one month a year when furniture can be collected from your curb.
You may also be required to seal furniture in special plastic bags or to dismantle it before it will be picked up by the garbage service.
Some cities and municipalities completely prohibit curbside dumping of furniture and other bulky waste altogether due to the environmental impact and other reasons.
Regardless, we don’t recommend getting rid of broken furniture on the curb since it’s typically taken to landfills. It’s much better to try recycling your old furniture, like squeaky bed frames or patio furniture, instead of just tossing them out to end up in a landfill.
🚛 The Curb Alternative: Local waste management services do not go inside to remove furniture for you. Read how LoadUp’s in-home furniture removal helps you skip hauling it to the curb!
How to Recycle Broken Old Furniture
Broken furniture disposal doesn’t have to be bad for the environment. Because furniture such as sofas, mattresses, and recliners contain parts that are easily recyclable, they can be taken apart for the pieces that can be recycled.
If you have the right tools and some extra time, you can take apart your already broken furniture and bring the usable pieces to be recycled. Materials like wood, springs, metal parts, foam, fibers, and fabric can often be dropped off at your local recycling facility or scrap yard.
However, taking furniture apart and locating the right recycling facility can be time-consuming and feel like more trouble than it’s worth. That’s why many people hire junk removal companies such as LoadUp to handle furniture removal, whether through recycling or proper disposal.
If you decide to dispose of your old broken desk or handle furniture removal on your own, be sure to check with your city officials ahead of time about any local regulations, disposal programs, or specific requirements you should be aware of.
Some cities and municipalities offer pickup services for furniture and other bulky waste items, typically for a fee. In some areas, your furniture and junk may be taken to a recycling facility by the local solid waste department instead of being sent straight to a landfill.
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Who Will Pick Up Old Broken Furniture?
Plenty of people simply don’t have the time, vehicle, tools, or patience to deal with furniture disposal on their own. That’s why many choose to call in professionals who can quickly haul it away and ensure proper disposal.
This furniture disposal method saves time and energy, but it’s important to choose a removal service that arrives prepared to safely take it out of your home without causing damage and makes an effort to keep your old furniture out of the landfill.
How to get rid of old furniture for free near me
Some furniture stores will haul away your old sectional or bed set when delivering the new one you purchased from them. When shopping for new furniture, ask if the store offers free furniture removal. Even if it’s not a standard service, they might agree to take your old pieces as an incentive for the sale.
Although, be aware that your old broken furniture may end up in the city dump this way. Some stores recycle some materials used in your old furniture, but others will simply have it dropped off at the nearest landfill.
Related Article: Furniture Stores That Take Away Old Furniture
You can also schedule a pickup with a junk removal company. Using a junk removal service is kind of like hiring movers, except your old broken furniture gets removed from your home without damaging anything and properly disposed of instead of moved into another home.
Best part is, you won’t have to waste time searching furniture recycling near me on Google. Junk removal services like LoadUp work to find the best local recycling and donation centers in your area for you.
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When you use junk removal to get rid of your old broken furniture, a small team of professionals will come pick up your furniture or other bulky junk and haul it away for responsible disposal. However, it’s important to make sure they are licensed, background checked, and insured professionals.
While that dude you came across on Craigslist may have quoted you a low price, you’ll likely regret deciding to have him pick up your old furniture once it’s all said and done.
Also, confirm with any junk removal company you consider that their quoted price is all-inclusive. Some junk haulers, especially franchises, are known for providing a “free onsite estimate” that is much lower than the final price paid.
As long as you do your homework, you can find a junk removal company named LoadUp 😉 that offers fair upfront pricing, professional service, and eco-friendly disposal methods to make getting rid of your old broken furniture a breeze.
Do you need a broken bulky item hauled?LEARN MORE ❯
What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Old Broken Furniture?
Whether you have a twin mattress or a huge collection of old furniture, LoadUp is your best bet for fast, easy, and eco-friendly furniture removal and disposal.
We’ll take your old broken furniture from anywhere. We also try donate any damaged furniture can to donate or recycle it for you instead of sending it to a landfill. We also believe in upfront, transparent prices that do not change throughout the junk removal experience.
This means no more haggling with salesmen, no random people showing up late and unannounced, and no more junk haulers that don’t call, show up or respect your time. Our Loaders are broken furniture removal pros who are thoroughly background-checked and insured.
That way you know you’re in good hands while they take care of hauling your old broken furniture. Plus, since they skip landfills and donate items to local charities or recycle them, LoadUp’s prices are typically 20-30% lower than other junk haulers and franchises.
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