Renovating or decorating your home can be really exciting. Picking a new colour scheme, new carpet, and new furniture – but it can mean that you may have to dispose of old tired furniture in readiness for all your new statement furniture.
It’s important to dispose of your old, unwanted furniture responsibly. So, we have compiled some of our top tips on how to dispose of furniture in the most economically and environmentally friendly ways!
Tip One: Council Waste Collection
In cases where you only have a small number of items, council waste collection may be a suitable option for you to dispose of your furniture.
How to dispose of furniture by way of council waste collection:
A council waste collection can be a convenient way to dispose of most types of old furniture. However, our first tip is to book in advance! The length of time for collection will vary from local authority to local authority. In some cases, you may have to wait around 8 weeks for collection. The local authority may also charge you a small fee to collect your items, this is usually between £20-£25 – but again it can vary depending on your local authority.
Our second tip on how to dispose of furniture using council waste collection is to ensure that any glass or mirrors are removed from the old furniture or secure them with strong tape. If you have wardrobes with mirrors these will have to be removed entirely as they generally will not collect them. You may also have to dismantle drawers and ensure that no nails or screws are sticking out as they may refuse to remove the furniture altogether.
Our final tip on how to dispose of furniture via council collection is to check with your local authority what they will and won’t collect. In most cases, they will collect old furniture, doors, carpets and electrical equipment. But they won’t collect old bathroom suites, kitchen units or general household waste.
Tip Two: Independent Recycling Charities and Organisations
Depending on your local area, you are likely to find a charity or organisation that will collect your unwanted furniture, free of charge. They will then repurpose, sell or donate the furniture where it is needed. In South Yorkshire, there are lots of charities such as Rotherham Hospice, AGE UK, British Heart Foundation, and St Luke Hospice to name a few!
How to dispose of furniture through independent recycling:
Donating your old, unwanted furniture to an independent recycling organisation such as a charity is a great way to not only remove your unwanted furniture but to give something back to your local community. Any profits from the re-sale of your furniture go to the charity to help them in furthering their work in the local community.
Our first tip is to look online and check that they will travel to your address. You might find this information on their website, or you may have to give them a call. You will have to book a collection with them and they will require a booking.
Our second tip is to ensure that you enquire about what they will and will not collect. This can vary from organisation to organisation. Some will collect old sofas etc. but only if they have fire safety tags and are in good condition. It is unlikely that they will collect old mattresses or furniture that requires restoration.
Tip Three: A Local Waste Management Company
If your project involves throwing out a lot of old furniture, then hiring a skip or man in a van may be the most appropriate and cost-effective route for you.
Depending on how much furniture you want to throw away, skip sizes range in sizes from 4-yard skips, and 6-yard skips to 8-yard skips.
How to dispose of furniture in a skip or with a man in a van:
Our first tip on how to dispose of furniture in a skip is to ensure that you order the right size. Ordering a skip too small could mean that you end up having to order a second skip to accommodate your waste. Ordering a skip which is too big will mean spending money that you don’t need to! At KCM, we recommend speaking to one of our advisors before you book your skip so they can provide you with their best recommendations.
Our second tip is to check with your provider what can and cannot go in your skip before you book one. Most skip companies can accommodate the majority of waste, but you’re likely to find that mattresses, for example, are not allowed. However, you can fill your skip with as much old wooden furniture, glass and mirrors as you need to. All waste is carefully recycled after it is collected so you can be sure that all of your waste will be dealt with responsibly.
Our final tip is to check whether you need a permit if you cannot accommodate the skip on your own driveway or private land belonging to you. The majority of reputable skip hire companies such as ourselves, will look after this for you when you book.
Responsible Recycling
At KCM, we pride ourselves on providing a reputable, professional and friendly service to all of our clients. Whatever project you have in hand, we can provide the assistance you need to ensure that your waste is collected and recycled responsibly.
If you are disposing of old furniture, our man-in-a-van and skip-hire service is ready to help you get that project underway.