With the growth of the “fast furniture” culture and the problems it brings, proper disposal has been a major topic in recent years among environmental groups and everyday citizens alike. Furniture items are complex objects made of various materials, which is why they’re some of the least recycled consumer goods today. Sadly, 80% of them end up in landfills.

If you feel it’s time to get rid of your furniture and seek a more responsible way, this article may help.

The Problem with Fast Furniture

Much like its cousins, fast fashion and fast food, the allure of fast furniture lies in easy access and low pricing. It grew in popularity because it was deemed more practical for people like perpetual renters and those with modest incomes. Of course, the side effects of patronizing these products are more insidious than people realize, and here’s why we must avoid this culture at all costs:

Unsustainable Materials

Recycling is less appealing for fast furniture because of the tedious and costly process of sorting out the diverse materials involved, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, leather, rubber, foam, and textile. They may also contain toxic chemicals that make recycling nearly impossible, leaving landfills as the preferred disposal option.

Unsustainable Designs

Fast furniture isn’t created with sustainability in mind. In an insightful article about sustainable designs, furniture designer Matt Smith argued that the sustainability conversation should start at the conceptual stage of furniture instead of its disposal when it’s too late. He emphasized the importance of educating new designers about environmentally-friendly design and materials so that end-users will find it easier to dispose of and reuse furniture in the long run.

Overseas Manufacturing

Mass-produced furniture items are cheap because they’re manufactured overseas, where labor and overhead costs are lower. This growing delivery distance between end-users and manufacturers leaves a colossal carbon footprint.

How to Responsibly Get Rid of Old Furniture

In her written guide to furniture disposal, environmental strategist Thara Kesavapillai laid out some brilliant steps worth considering. She suggests that you rethink this decision to dispose and weigh your reasons. You may want to keep your furniture as is, or you may want to look into other options such as restoration or refinishing, to name a few. Take a look at her actionable guide to learn more about these alternatives.

If your mind is set on disposal, here are the most environmentally responsible options:

1. Consider Donating

Many donation centers, including Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity, will pick up furniture for free. Make a call to your local donation center to see if they offer that service in your area. It’s also worth noting that donations are often tax-deductible.

2. Sell or Trade 

Tossing away furniture might also mean tossing away some extra cash because there are numerous classified websites where people are looking to buy. Try posting on auction sites, social media, or call your friends about it.

Trade networks are also worth exploring. Instead of selling, trade your furniture for something you might find useful. This is a simple way to get involved in the circular economy.

3. Junk Removal Services

Some companies handle everything when it comes to disposal, and all you have to do is book a date. Also, most junk removal services will always try to find a way to recycle the trash they collect. Try evaluating these service providers near you and check their literature for their SOP and green initiatives.

Conclusion

It’s hard to picture a scenario where the options above wouldn’t work for you if you give them a good shot. If that happens, then and only then should you opt for a landfill. 

The environmental problems with furniture are multifaceted, and the correction process might not happen as soon as we’d like. However, there are always actions end-users can take to tip the scale, and one of them is responsible furniture disposal.