- “Fast furniture” is cheap and easy to assemble at home, but experts say it’s not designed to last.
- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away more than 12 million tons of furniture each year.
- Instead of throwing away your furniture, there are eco-friendly ways to dispose of furniture you no longer need.
The rise of trendy furnishings at bargain prices may help those looking to furnish their new home on the cheap, but these items have a short lifespan and end up in the trash after just a few years. It often happens.
Brands like IKEA and Wayfair are affordable, easy to assemble and deliver fast, but experts told The New York Times that the “fast furniture” they sell is increasingly damaging the environment. I’m talking
Sustainability expert and author Ashley Piper said, “It’s a big problem both spatially and with a lot of high-speed furniture being made now. It’s not just wood and metal. Materials are biodegradable.” We won’t break it down or take it apart.” New York Times.
Furniture companies see a $4 billion increase in sales from 2019 to 2021 as Americans buy office and patio furniture surges during the pandemic as more people start working remotely, according to The Times report I confirmed that I did.
Much of this new furniture is expected to end up in landfills over the next few years. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away more than 12 million tons of furniture each year.
While it may seem that the easiest way to get rid of unwanted furniture is to put it on the curb or throw it in the nearest trash can, many companies have found environmentally friendly and even profitable alternatives to furniture removal. We are offering
Disposing of a sofa or coffee table can seem daunting, but here are three ways to dispose of old furniture ethically without harming the planet.
Enlist the help of eco-friendly junk collectors
Getting rid of one piece of furniture can be tricky, but getting rid of the entire set may require professional help. In that case, there are junk removal services that offer options that do no harm to the environment.
Among domestic companies specializing in junk removal, Junkluggers is known for its sustainable practices. According to the official website, Junkluggers employees “separate what they take out for donation or recycling” as a way to prevent old furniture from ending up in landfills.
This option may be best for those who carry a lot of old furniture, but it’s also the most expensive option. Thrift stores accept donations or compensate owners for old items, but Junkluggers’ service can cost around $1,000 for a truckload of furniture.
donate to used furniture stores
A non-profit donation center is a way to do good while disposing of gently used furniture. For example, organizations like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore program accept donations, but they are limited in what they can give you.
Habitat for Humanity guidelines allow the donation of upholstered furniture, but only if there are no rips, tears or pet damage. However, TVs, cribs and mattresses are not available. Likewise, Goodwill has an extensive list of items that will and will not accept future donations.
sell online
If you’re looking to profit from furniture you no longer need, listing it online can help ensure a return on your investment and extend the life of the items you’re selling. Sites like Facebook Marketplace and his OfferUp allow users to post items in nearly any state, but beware of scams.
The second-hand furniture site “Kaiyo” introduces detailed procedures for listing your favorite furniture. Instead of listing them yourself, employees review and certify your products before listing them on your site for sale. Also, according to the company’s site, it will also pick up and ship items once they sell.
