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How to Dispose of Your Couch (and Other Old Furniture)

Use our guide to understand how to get rid of your furniture the right way.

An tattered old couch waiting for disposal.

The Complete Furniture Disposal Guide

Can you donate used furniture? Do you need to wrap your couch before tossing it? How much does it cost to get rid of old items? Learn the answers to these questions and more with our helpful furniture disposal guide. We’ve broken down your furniture removal options, from selling or recycling to renting a dumpster. Let’s get into it.

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7 Best Furniture Disposal Options

Finding the best disposal option for your furniture depends on what you're throwing away. Before you decide to toss everything curbside, consider a different disposal method. If your furniture is in good condition, someone else could get some use out of those unwanted items.

A roll off dumpster to toss old furniture.

Rent a Roll Off Dumpster

Pros: Upfront pricing and scheduled guaranteed pickup.
Cons: You have to load it yourself.
Cost: Starts at $390

Learn More

Order Online

Two junk removal workers moving old furnitue.

Hire Junk Removal

Pros: They do the heavy lifting for you on your schedule.
Cons: Price is subject to change.
Cost: Minimum price of $133-$372

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A trash can for scrapping unwanted furniture.

Scrap It

Pros: Quickly completed on your schedule.
Cons: Need a truck for moving.
Cost: Free

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A computer to post a listing for used furniture.

Post a Listing Online

Pros: A convenient and free disposal solution.
Cons: Removal time is buyer-dependent.
Cost: Free

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A truck full of old furniture to take to the landfill.

Haul It to the Landfill

Pros: You can work at your own pace.
Cons: You do the heavy lifting and driving.
Cost: $10 to $50 per ton

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A "Free" sign to put on furniture.

Leave It on the Curb

Pros: Your local trash services will pick up.
Cons: You must wait for bulk collection.
Cost: $0 to $50 depending on your area

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A outstretched hand with a heart.

Donate It

Pros: You repurpose furniture.
Cons: There may be additional costs for collection or removal.
Cost: Free

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Furniture Disposal FAQs

Where can I dump old furniture?

Can I recycle furniture?

Are there any fees associated with furniture disposal?

Where can I throw away furniture for free?

Can I put furniture in a dumpster?

What’s the best way to load furniture into a dumpster?

How do I get rid of broken furniture?
Are there any types of furniture that can’t go in a dumpster?

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7 Ways to Get Rid of Your Couch and Other Furniture

1. Rent a Roll Off Dumpster

With a variety of sizes to choose from and an upfront quoted price, renting a dumpster is an affordable and convenient way to remove all your old or broken furniture. This is especially helpful for completing larger projects, like home cleanouts, and removing bulky furniture items. Large pieces are often difficult to transport and may be ineligible for curbside pickup, but are easily disposed of in a dumpster.

Once you’ve picked a dumpster size that fits your needs, we will drop off the container in a convenient spot. Then, you can easily load your couch, chairs and everything else into the bin. When you’re finished, schedule your pickup online and we’ll haul it away.

Couch and Boxes Sitting Inside Dumpster

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Roll Off Dumpster for Furniture Disposal?

You can expect to spend about $520 on average for a 20 yard dumpster rental, which is our most popular size. If you need a different size, prices range from $295 to $780 depending on the roll off container you select.

Benefits

Things to Consider

  • Work at your own pace.
  • Best for large or multiple items.
  • No need to be home for delivery or pickup.
  • You load debris yourself.
  • Guaranteed furniture removal at an upfront cost.
  • Dumpster sizes and weight limits vary based on location.

Getting Rid of a Lot of Furniture?

2. Hire a Junk Removal Service

Need someone to do the heavy lifting for you? A junk removal service will send professionals to your home to move your furniture. Upon arrival, a mover will determine your cost, and if you agree to the price they’ll move the furniture and haul it away.

Using this service to get rid of several large pieces of furniture is efficient but isn’t the most cost-friendly option. Junk removal services base their prices on the total volume of your items. This means it may not be the best choice for large-scale projects.

How Much Does It Cost for a Junk Removal Service to Get Rid of Furniture?

A junk removal service costs anywhere from $100 to more than $600, with a minimum spend of $60 to $150. Your cost depends on the amount of debris you have and the combined weight of your items.

Benefits

Things to Consider

  • Scheduled removal of your furniture.
  • The expected price may increase on arrival.
  • No heavy lifting.
  • Best for smaller-scale jobs.

3. Take It to a Scrap Dealer

If you have metal chairs, tables or bed frames, you may be able to recycle your furniture at a scrap yard. Some scrap metal dealers can even recycle steel spring mattresses or couch springs. This is only possible if you remove the cloth and other material before bringing it to the scrap yard.

To scrap your furniture, you’ll need to know if the metal you’re recycling is ferrous or non-ferrous. Most scrap yards accept either, but non-ferrous metals cost more to dispose of. Hold a magnet to your furniture. If the magnet doesn’t stick, it’s a non-ferrous metal.

You can find furniture recycling options near you using the iScrap App’s scrapyard finder.

Pile of Broken Chairs and Other Household Junk

Benefits

Things to Consider

  • A sustainable disposal option.
  • The nearest scrap yard may be far away.
  • Scrap yards will pay you for the material.
  • Requires a truck and could take multiple trips.

Pro Tip:

If you’re tossing a bulky piece of furniture, taking it apart can make the disposal process easier. This allows you to donate or repurpose parts of the item, like scrapping couch springs.

4. Sell or Give It Away Online

If your couch is still in good condition, consider selling or giving it away online for free so someone else can use it. Sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or your local Subreddit are good options to sell furniture locally. This way, when you sell an item, the buyer can remove the furniture for you.

To get the most out of your listing share plenty of details. In the description, include the measurements and be honest about any damage. You can also take photos of any flaws. Lots of clear, well-lit photos are best. This way, the buyer knows exactly what they’re getting. If fast removal is the goal, consider pricing the piece lower or offering it for free if the buyer will pick it up.

Benefits

Things to Consider

  • Free or low-cost disposal option.
  • Removal time depends on the buyers.
  • Buyers can give the furniture a second life.
  • Your furniture may sit longer than you’d like.

5. Haul It to the Landfill

You can dump your furniture at a local landfill if you have a pickup truck. If you don’t need to get rid of the furniture immediately, contact your local landfill. Many offer free bulk waste disposal days. This way, you can toss your items for free.

Always call the landfill before tossing your items. Some locations don’t offer furniture disposal or have item restrictions. Many landfills are also limited in the amount of debris they can take or aren’t open to public dumping.

How Much Does It Cost to Haul Furniture to the Landfill Yourself?

Knowing where to throw away furniture on your own can be a great way to save on disposal costs. You can expect to spend $10 to $50 or between $40 and $60 per ton at landfills. This doesn’t include the cost of a truck rental, gas or driving time.

Benefits

Things to Consider

  • Low-cost or free disposal option.
  • Requires access to a truck.
  • Dispose of multiple items at once.
  • The nearest landfill might be far away.
  • You can remove the furniture on your schedule.
  • It could require multiple trips.

Pro Tip:

Illegal dumping can harm your local environment and result in thousands of dollars in fines. If you can’t leave your items at the curb or landfill, don’t dump them illegally. Enlist the help of a furniture removal or dumpster rental service. Your city may also offer free collection events.

6. Leave It at the Curb

If you have a few smaller items to toss, getting rid of them may be as easy as bringing them out to your curb. But always check in with your local trash collection provider before doing so.

Some municipal and private trash collection services charge extra to dispose of furniture with your trash. Companies can also limit the number of items they will collect. For example, some cities only do bulk pickups once a month or a few times a year. You might even have to seal upholstered furnishings in plastic before collection.

Old Furniture and Bag Sitting on the Curb

How Much Does It Cost to Dump Furniture at the Curb?

Depending on your area, curbside collection can cost anywhere from $0 to $50 per item. Please note that in some areas you cannot dump furniture at the curb at all.

Benefits

Things to Consider

  • A free or affordable disposal option.
  • Some cities may not offer curbside collection.
  • You don’t have to transport the furniture or move it very far.
  • Your furniture may sit longer waiting for bulk collection dates.

Important Furniture Disposal Tip:

Always call before donating large furniture items. Also, never dump your items at a donation center without permission. This puts the burden of furniture disposal on the charity if it can’t accept the item. Unsure what you can and can't donate? Check out our guide: What to Donate to Goodwill — And What to Throw Away.

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How Much Does Furniture Removal Cost?

Removing furniture can cost anywhere from $0 to more than $1,000 depending on what you’re throwing away and your location.

There are a few key factors that will affect the cost of your project. In general, the price to toss furniture is determined by:

  • The total number of items tossed.
  • The total weight of your load.
  • Whether you use a professional service or remove the items yourself.

Average Cost to Throw Furniture Away

Disposal Option

Cost

Roll Off Dumpster

$520 on average, with prices ranging from $295 to $780.

Junk Removal Service

Minimum of $60 to $150, or $600+ for a full truckload.

Scrap Your Furniture

$0

List Furniture Online

$0

Take Furniture to a Landfill

$40 to $60 per ton on average.

Leave Furniture Curbside

Between $0 and $50 per item, depending on your area and if your area offers curbside collection.

Donate Your Furniture

$0 but this doesn’t include the cost of a pickup truck or gas for transport. Reach out to your donation location to see if they offer free pickups.

What’s the Easiest Way to Get Rid of a Couch, Table or Other Furniture?

The easiest way to get rid of furniture depends on your access to a truck, your budget and any physical restrictions. Consider each of these to determine the best disposal option for you.

  • If you need someone to move furniture for you quickly: A junk removal company is a logical choice. While their price is subject to change, they will remove your furniture for you by a scheduled date. Just keep in mind larger projects might need multiple trips, which will drive up the cost.
  • If you have gently used furniture: Sell it on an online marketplace or donate it to a local charity or nonprofit organization.
  • If you can remove the furniture yourself: A 10 yard or 20 yard dumpster can haul a large amount of trash from a home cleanout or decluttering project. Another option is to move your items curbside or to a landfill or scrapyard.

If you're looking for the most convenient way to dispose of your furniture, a dumpster rental or junk removal service is likely the best way to go.

  • Most junk removal services can handle smaller pickups of one to two items for around $80 to $400 per piece. They can also haul a full truckload of furniture, around 15 cubic yards, for about $600 to $800.
  • A 20 yard dumpster can handle up to 20 cubic yards of junk for an average rate of $617. This allows you to get rid of more furniture for less.
  • A 10 yard dumpster can fit up to 10 cubic yards of junk at an average cost of $540. This option is great for smaller projects.

Tips to Get Rid of Tricky Furniture Items

Some furniture items can be particularly challenging to get rid of. Whether they're bulky, awkward or just unusual, find ways to get rid of difficult items below.

How to Throw Away a Mattress

How to Get Rid of a Couch

How to Get Rid of a Bed Frame

How to Get Rid of a Pool Table

How to Throw Away an Old Chair

How to Get Rid of a Piano

Rent a Dumpster Online for Furniture Removal Order Online

Have Something Else to Throw Out? Find the Right Disposal Guide Below:

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