Your Guide to Old Furniture Disposal
Getting rid of old furniture can be a challenge — but our in-depth disposal guide will help you find the right solution in no time.
Ultimately, the best way to get rid of furniture depends on two things: the condition of the item and your area's local guidelines. Read on to find the easiest and most cost-efficient disposal options for outdated couches, busted dining room table sets, old mattresses and everything in between.
Tossing a Specific Item?
Couches | Mattresses | Tables | More
5 Ways to Get Rid of Furniture
1. Sell It
If your furniture is clean and in good condition, you can hold a garage sale or contact a local resale shop to sell it. Don’t feel like coordinating a large sale or drop-off? Consider advertising with an online service instead.
2. Donate It
If you’re looking for a free furniture disposal option, donating items in good condition can make a huge difference for someone in need. Contact local shelters, furniture banks or larger organizations to make the most impact in your community. If you can't find a local organization accepting furniture, these national organizations with local presence are also quite helpful:
3. Toss It Curbside
This option is typically the most convenient in residential settings, but you'll need to research your local regulations first. At apartments, furniture is not accepted in front load dumpsters or compactors and depending on your area, you’ll need to consider possible restrictions, such as:
- Specified bulk collection days at your home.
- Extra fees for furniture pickup with regular trash.
- Rules for wrapping upholstered furniture in plastic.
- Limits on the number of furniture items left curbside.
4. Hire a Junk Removal Service
If you only need to toss a few items but can’t lift them yourself, you might consult a junk removal company. They’ll come to your home and remove the items for you. However, space in their truck is usually limited and you may not receive a complete price upfront. This process typically involves:
- Varied rates for individual items.
- You sorting items prior to the scheduled day.
- A final price given upon completion of the job.
- Team members entering your home to remove the furniture.
5. Rent a Dumpster
You can typically throw bed frames, chairs, desks, dressers and tables in a dumpster all at once for convenient disposal. Mattresses may not be accepted in certain areas due to local landfill regulations. When you contact us, we'll let you know if we can accept your furniture, then we’ll walk you through the rental process. With a residential dumpster rental, you can:
- Work at your own pace.
- Toss unwanted items as you go.
- Get rid of multiple bulky items all at once.
- Know exactly what you’re paying upfront.
How Much Does Furniture Disposal Cost?
If your furniture is destined for the trash, there are a few ways to toss it. While renting a dumpster is typically the fastest way to toss large amounts of junk, you might consider alternate disposal methods for single items. Let's take a look at the average prices for each.
Dumpster Rental | Junk Removal Service | Curbside Bulk Pickup |
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Depending on local landfill regulations, transporting debris to the dump yourself may be an option. Keep in mind that you will be charged a fee per ton, plus the costs of gas and labor.
Furniture Disposal Tips by Material
Sometimes thinking about what your furniture is made out of helps you come up with disposal options. For example, a table with a glass top supported by a metal frame could be taken to a donation center that accepts building materials, where it would be separated and each material used for a new purpose. If you’re interested in recycling your furniture, check out the table below for some common rules and regulations surrounding the material you’re hoping to dispose of.
Keep in Mind: If you’re tossing a lot of furniture at one time, a dumpster rental is often the best option to get rid of all your unwanted items.
Common Materials | Rules and Regulations | Best Disposal Suggestion | |
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Bed Frames |
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Book Shelves |
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Side Tables |
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Entertainment Centers |
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Dressers |
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Desks |
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How to Dispose of a Table
Wondering how to get rid of heavy tables? From dining room sets to large coffee tables and lawn furniture, tossing these bulky items can be difficult. To help you find the best disposal option for your situation, we collected a variety of resources, including some environmentally friendly ways to get rid of your junk.
Where Can I Find Table Disposal?
Dumpster Rental
Order a roll off dumpster to quickly toss your table, along with any other junk. For larger pieces, consider removing drawers or disassembling legs.
Junk Removal Services
Junk removal companies often charge extra for bulky items. A large dining room set may be too big for one truckload, which can quickly become costly.
Local Dump
Hauling your old tables to the landfill yourself can be labor-intensive and bulky items may cause damage to your vehicle. Check local regulations and disposal fees.
Other Table Removal Options to Consider
Can I Sell My Old Table?
If your furniture is clean and in excellent condition, you may be able to make some extra cash selling it at a yard sale or local consignment shop. To successfully sell your furniture online, it’s important to make your pieces stand out from the rest with competitive pricing, quality photos and specific details, like noting any imperfections.
Furniture Disposal FAQs
How do I get rid of furniture I don’t want?
Start by asking yourself if you can sell, donate or recycle your unwanted furniture. You can place it outside for curbside collection if your city offers bulk trash service. If you are working on a large junk removal project, rent a dumpster to toss tables, chairs and sofas all at once.
Can I donate furniture?
Local nonprofits and thrift stores often accept your old furniture if it is in good condition. Additionally, national organizations such as The Salvation Army, Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity may even offer free pickup services. If the furniture is in disrepair, consider recycling the piece at a local center instead of donating.
Where can I throw away old furniture?
If your furniture is past its prime, you can take it to a recycling center or the landfill. To save yourself the hassle of hauling it to the dump yourself, consider renting a dumpster.
Can I repurpose my old furniture?
Yes, but you’ll need to consider your budget and craftiness beforehand. Sometimes repurposing is as simple as deciding that an old nightstand is going to be a kids table. Other times, you may need to get some tools and make adjustments.
More Bulk Item Disposal Resources
Need some quick tips? Check out these blog posts and disposal guides.
Dumpster Rental Resources:
Bulk Waste Disposal Guides: