How to Dispose of Furniture

If you’re getting ready to move, downsize or simply update your furnishings, you need to know how to dispose of old furniture efficiently. Depending on the condition of your furniture and your local disposal options, getting rid of furniture can be tricky. If you’ve exhausted every selling option and even your college freshman won’t take the old sofa, take a look at the following furniture disposal options to find the best solution.

Furniture Disposal Options

How you throw away furniture largely depends on how much you need to get rid of and how quickly you want to get the job done. Before getting started, take inventory of the furniture you’re removing, as well as any other junk you may be throwing out. Furniture in good condition can be donated, but if your items have major tears, scrapes or pet damage, it’s probably time to dispose of them. 

Once you have a good idea of what needs to be thrown out, take a look at the furniture disposal options below: 

1. Rent a Roll Off Dumpster

This is a quick and affordable way to get rid of furniture and other junk during a home cleanout. Most companies offer a few different dumpster sizes you can choose from. Once you’ve picked a size, the company will drop off your container in a spot of your choosing. Then, you can simply load your couch, chairs and everything else into the bin. When you’re finished, just call up the company and let them know it's ready for removal. This option is ideal for home cleanouts and major junk removal or decluttering projects, as it allows you to work at your own pace as you sort through your items.

2. Leave It at the Curb

If you have only a few smaller items, disposing of furniture may be as easy as dragging it out to your curb. But you should always touch base with your local service provider before doing so. Some municipal and private trash collection services will charge extra to get rid of furniture in addition to your regular trash. They may also limit you to a certain number of items or a certain time when your furniture can be dumped (for example, they may only do bulk pickups once a month or a few times a year). You might even be required to seal upholstered furnishings in plastic before curbside collection will accept it. 

In some areas, furniture cannot be dumped at the curb at all. 

3. Hire a Junk Removal Service

A junk removal service will send out two professionals to your house to determine the cost of removing your furniture. If you agree on the price, they will load up your items and haul them away. This is a good option for getting rid of a couple big-ticket items on the spot. But because junk removal prices are often based on the total volume of your items, it may not be the best choice if you’re working on a full home cleanout or an ongoing junk removal project. Do your homework before hiring a junk removal company for your furniture disposal. 

4. Take It to a Scrap Dealer

If you have metal chairs, tables or bed frames, you may be able to recycle your furniture at a local scrap metal dealer. Some scrap yards can even recycle steel spring mattresses, provided the cloth is removed beforehand. Before recycling metal furniture, you’ll want to determine whether the metal is ferrous or non-ferrous. Though most scrap yards will take either kind, non-ferrous metals will fetch you a higher price. To determine what kind you’re dealing with, hold a magnet to your furniture; if the magnet does not stick, it’s a non-ferrous metal.  

You can find a metal furniture recycling option near you using iScrap App’s scrap yard finder.

5. Haul It to the Landfill

With the right-sized pickup truck, you might be able to dispose of furniture yourself at the local dump. If you don’t need to get rid of that old couch right away, see if your area landfill offers free bulk waste disposal days and wait until then to dump it.

Always call before hauling your items to your nearest landfill, as some locations are not open for public dumping, or may not be able to dispose of certain types of furniture.  

Furniture Removal Costs

Trying to budget for your junk removal project? Furniture removal costs can vary greatly from location to location, but generally the cost to get rid of furniture is determined by:

• The number of items you’re getting rid of. 
• The total volume of your load.
• Whether you use a furniture removal service or dump it yourself. 

Check out the tables below for a helpful breakdown of the average costs of furniture disposal. 

How much does furniture removal cost?

If you're looking for a more convenient way to dispose of your furniture, a dumpster rental or junk removal service might be more up your alley. Most junk removal services can handle smaller pickups of one to two items for around $100 - $150. But if you need to get rid of more than just a couch or two, use the table below to compare large-scale furniture removal costs:

Most junk removal services can haul a full truckload of furniture, around 15 cubic yards, for about $550. A 20 yard dumpster, on the other hand, can handle up to 20 cubic yards of junk for an average rate of $415. This allows you to get rid of more furniture for less. If you are disposing of multiple large items, or if you’re working on a major junk removal project, the cost of a dumpster rental is often lower than other furniture disposal options. 

How much does it cost to dump furniture yourself?

Dumping furniture on your own can be a great way to save money on disposal costs. But remember that some landfills and curbside services do not offer furniture disposal. If your local providers do, they may be limited in what furniture they can accept, or the number of items they can take each week. Always call ahead to confirm whether your items can be dumped.

Furniture Donation Options

If you’re looking for a way to get rid of your couch without throwing it out, there are plenty of options for donating your old furniture. But first, you’ll need to assess the condition of your items. You can donate a piece of furniture if: 

• The item can be used as-is, with no need for repairs.
• Upholstery is free of major rips, stains and odors.
• Wood is free of major scratches or gouges.
• The item has never been infested with bedbugs or other pests.

If your old couch didn’t pass the donation inspection, revisit the furniture disposal options above.

Once you’ve inspected your items, here are a few places where you can donate old furniture: 

1. Charities and Nonprofits

You can typically donate gently used furniture to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or other charities in your area. Depending on your location, you can find many organizations that accept donations and some that will even pick up the furniture for you. If you’re looking for a place to get rid of furniture charitably, start your search here:

These donation centers usually offer furniture pickup:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStores 
• Salvation Army (Also allows for drop-off)
• National Furniture Bank Association (Also allows for drop-off depending on location)
• Vietnam Veterans Association (Small furniture only)
• Local Furniture Banks

These donation centers typically require furniture drop-off:

• Goodwill    
• Local Shelters

2. Local Schools, Churches or Community Theaters

If you have old computer desks, tables or chairs in good condition, some local organizations may be able to put them to good use. Many schools, churches and theater departments often operate on small budgets, and may be able to use your old furniture for an upcoming event, meeting or show. When in doubt, it never hurts to ask – give your community organizations a call to see if they have a need for your gently used items.

3. Animal Shelters

If your items are too banged up for charity, some animal shelters accept worn-out recliners, loveseats or couch cushions for their furry residents to curl up in. Call your nearby humane society or shelter to see if your old furniture can make a difference with local animals in need. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Furniture Disposal

Where can I dump old furniture?

Furniture should only be dumped or recycled at an approved recycling or disposal location, such as:

• Your local landfill or transfer station. 
• Scrap metal yards. 

Furniture should not be dumped on:

• Public property, including parks and wildlife preserves.
• Private property that isn’t your own.

Not sure where to dump furniture near you?
Check out the city recycling guides below to find a landfill or transfer station in your area:

• Ann Arbor Recycling Guide
• Atlanta Recycling Guide
• Austin Recycling Guide
• Cleveland Recycling Guide
• Denver Recycling Guide
• Nashville Recycling Guide
• Orlando Recycling Guide
• Phoenix Recycling Guide
• San Jose Recycling Guide
• Syracuse Recycling Guide

Can I recycle furniture?

Most furniture is difficult to recycle due to the amount of unnatural chemicals and materials used to make them. You can, however, recycle old furniture into new pieces with a little creativity and elbow grease. Check out these posts for some fun recycled furniture ideas:

• Two Easy Ways to Build a DIY Kitchen Island
• 10 Awesome Trash to Treasure Projects 
• 7 Creative Furniture Upcycling Ideas
   

Are there any fees associated with disposing of furniture?

In some areas, landfills charge a fee to dismantle any upholstered furniture you throw away. This is done to decrease the amount of space furniture takes up in the landfill. This fee will apply whether you’re renting a dumpster to get rid of furniture or using curbside or bulk collection. Call us at 877-220-6380 for more information.

What is the best way to load furniture into a dumpster?

When using a dumpster to get rid of old furniture, try to place large items in the container first and distribute items evenly in the container. Also make sure all materials are level with the dumpster’s top edge — nothing sticking up over the top or hanging over the sides.

Can I mix other items in with furniture in a roll off dumpster?

In most cases, yes. If you’re working on a home cleanout, most locations can dispose of furniture right along with general refuse and other household clutter. However, some materials are never allowed to be disposed of in a roll off dumpster, including hazardous or flammable waste. Be sure to keep these prohibited items out of your container.

Are there any types of furniture that can’t go in a dumpster?

While wooden furniture is almost always allowed, some areas may not take upholstered furniture. Get in touch with our team to learn more about what furniture disposal options are available near you. 

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