How to Get Rid of Used Furniture

Are you ready to part ways with an old piece of old furniture that is taking up too much space or doesn’t match the aesthetic in your new apartment? Before you send it off to be thrown away, consider if it can be donated or traded as is to someone in the community. 

There are better options than throwing out a piece that may have some wear and tear but is otherwise still in good condition. Whether you donate or trade an item, furniture recycling is a great way to help the environment and someone in your community. 

If you can, avoid sending it to the landfill and give it a second life with someone who needs it by taking advantage of one of the furniture removal options below. 

Donate it

If you opt for donating your old furniture, you have the option of taking it to a designated drop-off location or having someone pick it up for you. You can call a donation company or furniture removal company to get the job done from your driveway. Donating also allows for extra deductions on your taxes. 

A few locations that accept donations include: 

Furniture Bank Association of North America (FBANA): FBANA helps you locate the nearest furniture bank in your area. They provide furniture to those in need for free or significantly reduced prices. Their services include picking up donations from the homes of those donating. 

Goodwill and the Salvation Army: If there is no FBANA location in your area, you might consider your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. They have a drop-off station where they sort through all the items for reselling. Check to see if your location provides a pick-up service as well. 

Habitat for Humanity Restore: This organization restores gently used furniture and other household items to sell for a reduced price. 

Other places that encourage furniture recycling are homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters. They are always in need of donations for those staying in the shelter. Consider how you can help before throwing out something in good condition. 

Sell or Trade Old Furniture

Tossing out old furniture produces more waste that could otherwise be reused. Selling or trading the loveseat you no longer want can help someone in search of hand-me-downs and can bring in some extra cash. Websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace are great avenues for furniture recycling.

If you’re not comfortable meeting with a stranger to make the sale, you can also make a post on your social media accounts or ask your friends if anyone might be interested. Some thrift stores also accept furniture and will give you some cash depending on the type and quality of the piece. 

Trade networks are also a great option if you’re more interested in trading it for a new addition. You can check out many websites that can help you exchange it for something better. 

Junk Removal

Using a furniture removal company gives you the option to get rid of the furniture you no longer want without having to do it yourself. They will pick up any unwanted old furniture. All you have to do is give them a call and schedule an appointment for them to come to pick up your items. 

Most companies partake in furniture recycling and will have details on the website about how they handle their donation and recycling process. 

Take it to the Landfill

Taking your old furniture to the landfill should be saved as a last resort. Sometimes you don’t have other options. The sofa you’ve had for years might now be infested with bed bugs, and you don’t want to deal with the problem. Maybe no one is interested in taking it because it is no longer salvageable. 

You have a few ways of getting it there. You can check with your neighborhood or city’s curbside program to see what their limitations are for large furniture removal. If they don’t pick up items as large as the couch you’re trying to throw out, you might have to take it to a designated drop-off location. 

Consider Your Options 

Used or old furniture doesn’t automatically become trash unless it has sustained severe damage. Home furnishings that have noticeable wear and tear or are simply unwanted can be donated, traded, or picked up by junk removal companies that can take care of it for you. 

Consider your options before hauling your couch to a landfill. Sometimes your junk can turn out to be someone else’s treasure.