Major changes, such as moving, cleaning, or renovating your home, can leave you wondering what to do with old furniture. If you want to know the best ways of removing furniture and how to get rid of it easily—and responsibly—you’ve come to the right place.
Here are the six best ways to get rid of furniture you no longer want.
How to Get Rid of Furniture: 6 Best Ways to Do It Responsibly
1. Rent a Roll-Off Dumpster
Renting a roll-off dumpster is one of the easiest ways to get rid of multiple pieces of furniture because you can throw everything into one large container and have someone else haul it away for you. Nearly all types of old furniture can be disposed of in a dumpster, except for mattresses, because they can contain bedbugs, bodily fluids, and other contaminants that make them unsafe for standard disposal.
Sourgum offers roll-off dumpsters in multiple sizes, from 10 yards (four pickup truck loads) up to 40 yards (16 pickup truck loads). Each rental includes delivery, pickup, disposal, and a base weight limit. All rentals come with a complimentary rental period, and you can extend it at a flat daily rate if needed. When you are done, simply reach out and we’ll pick up the dumpster and handle disposal.
Our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees, and every customer receives a copy of the dump ticket if weight limits are exceeded. Order online or give us a call at (732) 366-9355, and our team will be happy to help with any questions.
2. Use a Junk Removal Service
Just like the name says, junk removal services remove your junk. Instead of worrying about hauling heavy furniture or finding a place that will take it, junk removal services offer a simple solution.
Our junk removal team takes care of everything from start to finish. The crew does all the lifting, loading, and hauling so you don’t have to. We handle most non-hazardous household items, storm debris, and construction waste, and we also provide commercial junk removal for offices and job sites.
Responsible disposal is part of every job we do at Sourgum, so items are salvaged, donated, or recycled whenever possible, and only what cannot be reused goes to a landfill.
Get a quote online or call us directly at (732) 366-9355 to schedule.
3. Haul It Away Yourself
Hauling it yourself is the cheapest way to get rid of old furniture, but you’ll probably need a pickup truck with a large bed or a small van in order to do it. This means you’ll have to do some heavy lifting, so it’s a good idea to call up some friends and for assistance with loading and unloading.
You’ll also have to figure out the logistics of where to drop it and how much you have to pay for dumping fees, which vary depending on your location. Another option is finding out if your local landfill has free bulk waste disposal days, and then dump your furniture then.
4. Schedule Curbside Pickup
If you need to get rid of furniture and live in a city that offers bulky waste curbside pickup, this might be the best option. Keep in mind that some cities only pick up one or two pieces of furniture and will only provide pickups during a certain time of the month or year, so again, you’ll have to do some research beforehand.
Additionally, look into your city's regulations, as there may be specific rules on disposing furniture this way. For example, some municipalities require you to seal any upholstered pieces of furniture before curbside collection. Some municipalities may require a bulky waste permit to pick up your furniture. These permits are typically low cost and available for purchase online, but you’ll have to confirm these details out before putting your furniture on the curb.
5. Sell at a Garage Sale or Online
Want to keep your old furniture out of the landfill? Selling it is a simple option. You can also look into recycling furniture as another way to reduce waste and give your items a second life. Consider listing your furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Setting a fair price or marking it as “free to pick up” can help it move quickly.
If you’d rather sell in person, try hosting a garage sale. Advertising your sale with signs or a quick online post will help bring in more visitors. It’s also worth noting that many buyers will expect to transport the furniture themselves, so make sure items are easy to access and ready to go.
6. Donate It to Charity
Instead of disposing of your furniture, you can give it away for free and know it’s going to someone who needs it. Here is a list of common places that accept furniture donations:
Local thrift stores
Salvation Army
Green Drop
Pickup Please
Local shelters
Habitat for Humanity Restores
Veteran services such as AMVETs
Churches
Goodwill
Furniture Bank Network
How to Dispose of Furniture For Free
Depending on where you live, you may have several options for disposing of old furniture. Start by searching "waste wizard" and [your city] on Google to see if any free tools come up. Your city's official website may provide information on proper furniture removal channels. Here are some examples for specific cities:
New York:
NYC Sanitation Department: Visit their website to find details on the items you wish to dispose of and the designated collection day.
NYC Bulk Item Disposal: The official NYC government website provides a schedule for curbside furniture pickup. Simply place the items curbside between 4:00 pm and midnight before your collection day.
Chicago:
Recycle by City: Easily request a free bulky item pickup from the city of Chicago.
Load Up: This service offers quick pickup upon request, making it a convenient option for furniture removal.
New Jersey:
Donation Town: Donation Town in New Jersey offers free donation pickup for household items.
Reuse Opportunities: New Jersey State lists organizations that accept everything from books to furniture.
