Desperate to get rid of furniture they no longer want or need, people sometimes resort to illegal dumping. For example, they may cut the furniture into pieces and throw it in the trash or leave it on the sidewalk hoping someone will take it.
Unfortunately, illegal dumping harms the environment and people living in the neighborhood where it takes place. Better solutions are available.
Donate to Charities Helping People Escape Homelessness
People become homeless for a range of reasons, but one thing they all have in common is that they cannot afford to pay for a place to live. Furnishing an apartment or house is expensive, especially when buying new is the only option.
People can feel good about donating the furniture they no longer need to a non-profit that helps others get back on their feet and into an affordable place to live. Some organizations even offer to pick up the furniture and will provide a tax-deductible receipt for the donor.
Bring Unwanted Furniture to an Environmentally Friendly Recycling Center
When homeowners and renters cannot find a charity that needs old furniture, delivering broken or outdated items to a local recycling center is another good option.
Most recycling centers can take all types of furniture and electronic items like broken television sets. Anyone wanting to exercise this option should check with the recycling center first to ensure it has the resources to accept each item.
Repair or Refurbish Old Furniture
Just because a piece of furniture is unsightly or unusable right now does not mean that the owner must get rid of it. Some furniture repairs are simple enough for anyone who is handy with tools to complete.
Tearing off or covering outdated fabric could work for couches, living room chairs, and kitchen chairs. The process can even be fun for those who enjoy mixing vintage and modern looks for something truly unique.
Repurposing old furniture can also be fun and is great for the environment. Here are just a handful of ideas:
- Used discarded wooden crates as outdoor patio furniture
- Turn an old door into a headboard for a bed
- Use old furniture from the house in the garage, office, or playroom
- Use old wooden pallets to elevate a mattress
Sell Furniture in Good Condition
Placing an ad on a site like Craig’s List or holding a garage sale are two ways people can offload furniture they no longer want and earn money for new furniture at the same time. They should take the time to clean the furniture and repair any minor problems before offering it for sale to someone else.
Arrange Pick-Up with a Local Junk Hauler
Junk hauling companies have extra-large trucks that can fit multiple pieces of furniture from the same home. They can accept almost anything, and their employees do all the heavy lifting.
Old furniture will not end up in a landfill because the company will do everything possible to avoid that. Most junk haulers have contracts with all local recycling centers and coordinate drop-offs with local charities as well.