Disposal Guide
How To Get Rid Of Old Furniture
Not sure how to get rid of that old furniture you don’t need anymore?
Maybe you’re moving, and that old sectional couch isn’t in your plans, or maybe you’ve decided to upgrade that antique dresser to something new.
It can be tough to know what to do with used pieces, especially if it’s something nobody wants. So what’s the best way to get rid of old furniture in the Ottawa area?
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the best ways to dispose of your old, unwanted furniture in Ottawa.
Rent A Dumpster For Furniture Removal
Renting a dumpster bin in Ottawa can be one of the best solutions for getting rid of old, unwanted furniture.
A 10-yard dumpster should have enough space to load a few pieces of furniture like couches, desks, tables, entertainment centres, beds, dressers, wardrobes, and chairs. If you have a bunch of furniture or large sectionals, a 20-yard dumpster might be needed.
Dumpsters make it easy to handle big, bulky pieces of furniture without needing to make multiple trips to a landfill.
How To Get Rid Of Old Furniture With A Dumpster Bin:
- A dumpster bin is conveniently delivered to your location at the time you request it.
- You put your unwanted furniture in it through the convenient barn doors.
- The rental company picks it up and handles transportation, logistics, and disposal.
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Curbside Ottawa Garbage Pick-Up
In Ottawa, you can put old furniture at the curb where Ottawa’s curbside garbage collection service will take it.
However, keep in mind the city has started a new rule that allows for three items of garbage at the curb every two weeks. A bulky furniture item counts as one of those items.
For more details, visit the City of Ottawa’s garbage disposal page.
While this is a free option for homeowners, it’s not the best solution for businesses or if you’re trying to get rid of more than one piece of furniture.
If you’re not in the City of Ottawa, check the rules on furniture removal for local garbage pickup services.
Donate Your Furniture To Charity
If your furniture can still be used, consider donating it. Many charities and nonprofit organizations in Ottawa accept gently used furniture to help those who need it.
Furniture donations keep them out of the landfill and also help support your community.
Please contact a local donation center beforehand to confirm they can accept your donation and to schedule a furniture pickup. You can also visit your local thrift stores as another option.
Three Places That Accept Furniture Donations:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: They accept wooden, leather, and upholstered furniture. Everything donated goes towards furnishing new homes for families in need.
- Matthew House Ottawa: Matthew House accepts gently used furniture that is given to refugees and others in need.
- Helping With Furniture: Another non-profit that accepts furniture which is given to families in distress.
Send Your Furniture To A Recycling Centre
Recycling furniture parts can be possible, but it depends on the materials. Plastic, metal, and wooden furniture parts can be taken to local recycling centers that accept construction and household waste.
Ottawa has several recycling centers that accept these materials, helping reduce landfill waste and contributing to a greener environment.
However, upholstered or mixed-material furniture may not be eligible for standard recycling and might require special handling.
How To Recycle Furniture:
- Separate the recyclable materials from non-recyclable components (e.g., separate wood from upholstery or metal frames).
- Check with your local recycling center to confirm which materials they accept.
- Check scrap metal prices to make money on metal parts.
- Drop off the recyclable parts.
Host A Garage Sale
Is your used furniture still in good shape? Don’t mind a little work?
Hosting a garage sale is a great way to sell your used pieces and make a little money.
Put a few signs up around your neighbourhood and market your garage or yard sale on Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji to bring people in.
Remember that the point here is to get rid of your used furniture, not make a big profit. Also, keep in mind that really trashed or ratty pieces of furniture probably won’t sell no matter how low you go on price.
Tips for a Successful Garage Sale:
- Clean your furniture beforehand to make it more appealing.
- Price your items reasonably.
- Understand that negotiating is part of the deal.
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Post Your Furniture Online
Posting it online is another great way to sell or give away old furniture.
Websites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace have huge audiences and the algorithms will show your post to people looking for second hand furniture.
Having the other party be responsible for pickup will limit your options. But if you can find a taker, this is a great way to get rid of used furniture.
How To Post Online:
- Post clear, high quality images.
- Be honest in your description about wear and tear.
- Set a fair price, or post it for free if you want it gone ASAP.
Bring Your Furniture To Your Local Landfill
If you have some friends and a pickup truck, you can take your old furniture to a local landfill. Ottawa’s landfills accept large items like couches and tables, but there may be fees.
Taking your furniture to a landfill can be an option if you have a truck, manpower, and some time.
Considerations
- Make sure your truck can handle the load.
- Call the landfill and confirm they’ll accept your furniture piece.
- Load your furniture securely and legally.
Use A Junk Removal Service
Hiring a junk removal service is an easy option as everything gets done for you. These companies specialize in hauling away pretty much anything, including furniture.
When it comes to calculating the furniture removal cost, a junk removal service can be expensive. Some junk removal services might not be available right away as well, depending on how busy they are that week.
This can be an expensive but convenient option for one or two heavy pieces.
Benefits of a Junk Removal Service:
- They handle all the lifting, making it great for large and heavy furniture.
- They also dispose of your furniture, usually to the landfill.
FAQs
Common Furniture Disposal FAQs
Here are a few questions we often get about furniture removal.
If you’re handy and have the tools, or you don’t mind paying someone to do it, refurbishing older furniture can be a great way to make it look new again. A fresh coat of paint or new upholstery can breathe new life into old pieces.
Refurbishing can be a cheaper way to update your space without buying new furniture. It also makes it easier to sell at a higher price.
A 10-yard or 20-yard dumpster rental is typically ideal for furniture removal. A 10-yard roll-off dumpster will work great for a few smaller items like chairs, desks, or a couch, while a 20-yard roll-off dumpster might be better if you’re getting rid of a bunch of large, bulky, and heavy items.
If you’re not sure, give us a call and we’ll be able to recommend the best size and go over dumpster prices for your situation.
Rent a dumpster from CFT Bins
At CFT Bins, we have dumpster bin sizes that are perfect for hauling away used furniture in the Ottawa area.
Our furniture removal team can drop off a dumpster rental when and where you need it. Once you fill it, let us know and we’ll pick it up. It’s easy and convenient.
A dumpster bin can be the perfect option if you have a bunch of used furniture to get rid of.
If you’re looking to rent a disposal bin in the Ottawa area, reach out to us for a personalized quote today.
