Ever asked where can I take my old sofa? Perhaps you’re moving to a new home and need to get rid of some furniture, or maybe you’re upgrading your living room and your old couch no longer fits in. Whatever the case, figuring out what to do with an old sofa can be a daunting task. More reason why I’ll share from my wealth of experience how to get rid of that old piece of furniture. I believe this would give you clearer ideas on how to make space for something new and give your old sofa a second life.
How can I get rid of my old sofa?
According to the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacture, and Commerce (RSA) Action and Research Centre, a whopping 83% of sofas end up being disposed of instead of being reused. It can be tempting to simply leave your unwanted sofa on your doorstep with a “take me” sign, but the harsh reality is that this often results in the sofa being sent to a landfill. The space covered by sofas in landfill can fill the Wembley Stadium over says mattress recycling specialist TFR Group. You don’t want to add to the problem, right? So let’s dive into creative ways you can dispose of your sofa including gifting someone:
01. Donating your sofa to charity
Donating your old sofa is a great way to give back and help those who really need it. But before you jump on this option, make sure your sofa is in good shape to be reused. Also, clean it up and free it from all dust and dirt.
Look for local charities in your area that accept furniture donations. The Reuse network has a ton of charity organizations passionate about giving used items a second life and helping people in need. Some, like the British Heart Foundation, even offer free pick-up, so that’s clutch.
One insight I’ll give on how to get your old sofa collected is to ensure it’s in reusable condition – no major damage or anything. Plus, it needs to have a fire label attached or it may not get accepted. Reason is that the charity might not be able to sell it without the label and it might end up in a landfill.
02. Take the sofa to a recycling center at a tip
If you’re a sustainability freak like me, you’ll love this. Sofas contain materials like metal frames, foam padding, and fabric you can repurpose at the recycling center to create new items. This comes at a fee of course. But then it’s usually less than the cost of hiring a junk removal service. Do confirm also if you need to book a visit online and provide proof of residency.
03. Ask the council to take your sofa away
Often called bulk waste pick-up service. You can contact the council and arrange for them to pick up your old sofa if you reside in England or Wales. Cost is free or sometimes at a varying small fee depending on the center. This option is simple as many councils have collection centers where you can book online. And instead of dumping your sofa on the street or landfill, you only need to drop it on your doorstep a night before the collection.
04. Disassemble your Sofa
Sofas are bulky and heavy. You may have a hard time moving from through the door and into the Van for disposal. Taking your sofa apart is a good move to make it easier to transport. But then this is hard, and things may get messy. I’ll advise you to grab a hand glove and be careful if you choose this method to stay safe from sharp objects.
How to go about it depends on the sofa. Does it have legs or is a bed sofa? As a rule of thumb, you should start by removing the cushions. Strip off all the covers so you can see what’s inside. If the sofa has legs, remove them. Then, use a screwdriver or wrench to remove the screws holding the frame in place. Once the frame is dismantled, fold the fabrics and assemble the parts in your vehicle.
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05. Check if your new sofa company will take the old one away
Don’t know where to take old couches? If you’re replacing your old sofa with a new one, check if the retailer delivering your new sofa will collect the old one. I know furniture companies like John Lewis and DFS offer this service at a fee. Some also work with clearance companies that recycle sofas. Either is fine and better than having your sofa end up in a landfill. You only have to reach out to the retailer you made your purchase from and ask if they can take the old one away too. They might ask questions about like how big it is or what condition it’s in. And if it fits their criteria, they’ll usually schedule a time to come for it.
06. Sell as secondhand
Your furniture is in a good condition? Then putting it up for sale is a great way to make some extra cash and give your sofa a new life. The first thing potential buyers are eager to see is the good picture. So, like I always do for my old furniture, clean it thoroughly. Make sure it’s looking the best and take pictures of it from different angles.
Also, you could try a dedicated second-hand marketplace like Letgo or list them online. Some popular options include Gumtree, eBay, and Shpock. To make the sale more attractive, be willing to negotiate slightly with transportation or delivery if necessary.
07. Give it away online for free
You’ve tried the options above, read guidelines on how to sell old sofa, and no one is turning up? Then giving your old sofa for free online is a win-win situation. You get rid of furniture you no longer need, and someone else gets a free piece of furniture. Plus, you’re doing your part to reduce waste and help the environment. There are many websites where people can pick it. Some will even match you with individuals who need it. You only have to write a good description and upload pictures of the sofa from different angles. I find the following website very popular and suitable:
- Freecycle
- Facebook Marketplace
- Olio
- Trash Nothing
- Freegle
- Upcycle
FAQS:
Q: Who will pick up old furniture for free near me?
Depending on the condition of the furniture and where you live, you can explore many options on where to get rid of your sofa. Check in with your local government council to see if they offer a bulk pick-up service. If they do, and your furniture is in a good condition, you’re covered. Organizations like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity are also worth considering. Some will even pick it up from your doorstep.
As an alternative, I have had friends who use a private company that deals with removing and disposing of junk. A quick online search will do, and lastly, you can try to give it away on online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Freecycle. That way, someone in your local area who wants the item can come and pick it up from you.
Q: Who will pick up donations in my area for free?
There are actually a few non-profit organizations and charities I know that offer free donation and pick-up services in some areas. Some options are:
- Salvation Army
- GreenDrop
- Goodwill
- Habitat for Humanity
- Pick Up Please
- AMVETS The Arc
- Furniture Bank
Check their website to be sure they are available in your location. And of course, there are local charities and non-profits too in your area that may accept donations and offer pick-up services. You can ask around and call to confirm their policies before you plan to donate.
Q: Do Goodwill stores pick up donations?
Policies and resources vary across goodwill stores, with pickup available in some areas but not all. I’ll advise you to double-check with a goodwill representative in your community to confirm if this service is available in your area.
But in general, getting your donations picked up by Goodwill won’t cost you a dime, and they usually take a wide range of stuff – things like clothes, electronics, furniture, and household items.
Q: How do I dispose of a couch in Colorado Springs?
Check with a local waste management couch pickup company in Colorado or hire a professional junk removal company. This can be a good option but may come at a cost. And if you don’t want to dispose of it or are scared it may end up at the Colorado springs landfill, donate them and help someone in need.
Regardless of the method you choose, ensure to check in with local authorities. I recommend you do this to stay informed of the guidelines and regulations guiding the disposal of your coach.
Q: How do I get rid of a couch in Denver?
If the coach is in shape, you could consider donating it or reselling it on online marketplaces. Denver has several options at your service for resale shops and charities. And I highly recommend reuse because of its vast network of charity organizations passionate about giving used items a second life.
You can also enter the keyword ‘couch disposal near me’ in the browser search box for local results. Other options you can consider are Armchair Samaritan, Metro Denver, Denver Rescue mission, and The good used couch.
Q: How do I get rid of a large couch in my house?
First, figure out if you want to give it out or sell it. Post it on online market stores to see if anyone is willing to buy or contact charities like the goodwill stores. You’ll have to dispose of it yourself if no one wants it.
For the fastest and cheapest way to get rid of old furniture, consider disassembling it to make disposal easier. Remove the foams, grab a saw, and remove the legs of the couch so it can pass through the door and into your vehicle. And if you just want to chill, hire a junk removal service to come to haul it away. It would save you stress but of course at a fee.
Q: Can the sofa be dismantled?
Yeah, it’s totally possible and a good move especially if you have nowhere to throw away a couch for free or can’t sell it. Taking it apart is no big deal, but then you need to consider the specifics of the sofa you have- not all of them are made to be easily broken into pieces. Mine then was so complicated that I needed a saw to dismantle to coach. If your sofa has removable legs or arms, or cushions, you can take that off, lucky you.
Final Words
There are a number of ways to dispose of your sofa. If you’re wondering “where can I take my old sofa?” Repurposing for recycling, selling, or a giveaway for free are possible options I highlighted in the article for you to explore. Only make sure the method you choose is convenient for you and aligns with your personal values and sustainability goals.
