The Right Way to Dispose of Furniture

As of 2019, Ireland recycles over 1.2 million tonnes of municipal waste.

That’s a great figure but there is still more work to do and you can do your part. When it comes to old furniture you no longer need, it’s easy to think it’s ok to leave it on the street.

This can cause more waste that doesn’t get recycled though. If this is news to you, then you might now wonder what it is you should do with your unwanted furniture instead.

That’s where we can help! Keep reading this guide on the right way to dispose of furniture.

Take It to the Recycling Plant

When disposing of old furniture, if you are able, it should go to your local recycling plant. Your local tip should be free to use but charges may apply for large household items or dangerous items.

It is worth checking what fees may apply before you make the effort to pack up and drive down. If you don’t have a van yourself, you may have to hire one so factor in this cost too.

In most cases, it won’t work out much more expensive to hire help. Disposing of furniture can soon add up, especially if you aren’t aware of hidden charges.

Council Waste Collection Services

If you can’t get to the recycling point, you can contact the local council for waste collection. Not every area offers this though, so make sure you contact them to confirm.

You’ll also need to book this service quite far in advance, so get in early. You could face a wait of 8 weeks in some cases. It’s worth looking into though as it can save you the hassle of taking bulky, large items to the tip yourself.

Some fees may apply and this can vary between different councils. There are also some specifications you’ll need to ask for so you can prepare the furniture.

In most cases, you’ll need to remove glass tops and panels from the furniture. This includes taking mirrors out of wardrobes. In fact, mirrors often won’t be an accepted item.

Items that are usually accepted:

• Doors
• Furniture (without glass)
• Carpets
• Electrical goods

Things that might not be accepted:

• Sheds & greenhouses
• Boilers
• Bathroom suites
• Kitchen cabinets
• General household waste

They will also ask that you dismantle any items with loose parts (including drawers) and do a safety check. No nails or split wood should poke out with the potential for injury.

Recycling Projects & Charities

Most recycling projects work alongside the local authorities as a joint effort. But, for the most part, they’re still independent projects worked by volunteers. The aim is to make a better community or boost a certain charity.

You can also support a charity by calling your local shop and asking if they take furniture. If it’s in good condition it’s more than likely they will accept it as stock. In most cases, as long as it’s safety tested, they’ll take electrical goods too.

The best part about that option is the profit made from selling your item will go into charity funds. A great charity to consider is Enable Ireland which has shops across the country, but there are many amazing local projects. Check out your local council website for details of recycling projects near you.

Hire a Man in a Van

For items that the council will refuse to take, or a charity can’t make use of, you can hire professionals. Usually, you’ll want to look for “Man in a Van” type services. There are many variations so check each company with care.

Usually, they will come to your home, collect the items in question, and dispose of them the right way. All you need to do is pay their fee.
Unless stated otherwise, you’ll have to dismantle the furniture yourself. You’ll need to make sure it’s safe to transport too.

Then there are comprehensive furniture removal services that will do all that for you. You just need to be sure what type of service you want, contact the company, and make sure they can give you what you need.

If Buying New Ask the Company to Take the Old Away

It’s the policy for a lot of furniture and mattress companies to provide a collection service. When they deliver your new item, they will dismantle and remove the old one it’s replacing.

In some cases, furniture disposal is a free, inclusive service. In other cases, you’ll need to pay extra for having them deal with the hassle of removal and disposal.

While a lot of companies aim to recycle the collected items or donate them, it’s not universal. You’ll want to check with the company what their exact disposal policy is and make sure you’re ok with it.

Sell Old Furniture Online

If you think the furniture is still worth some money, then list it online for sale. You can use sites like Preloved, eBay, and even Facebook Marketplace.
If you’re using eBay, you do need to pay selling fees.

Other sites like Preloved let you even list items free for collection, with no fees to pay out. It’s important that you put pick up only though if you aren’t willing to deliver.

Most sites will do the same thing so it’ll be down to personal choice. If you go with Facebook Marketplace, have a look for any local groups selling furniture too. If there are lots of similar items selling on one site but not another, go for the one with less competition.

Dispose of Furniture the Right Way

When you dispose of furniture it’s important to get it right. If you leave it on the street, you could find a charge for fly-tipping on your doorstep.

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure they say, so it’s possible to sell old items online. Charities can also make use of anything still in working order. For the larger items or those in a bad way, consider hiring professionals.

Contact us today at Man With a Van Dublin. We have over 10 years of experience with moves of all kinds, so we can help you with your furniture disposal needs.