You’ve finally replaced that sagging couch. Or maybe you’re moving and the old dining set isn’t coming with you. Either way, you’re staring at a large piece of furniture and wondering how to make it disappear.
After 25 years in waste management, I’ve seen every furniture disposal scenario imaginable. The good news: you have more options than you might think, and several of them are free.
Option 1: Bulky Item Pickup
Most cities offer scheduled bulky item pickup, either free or for a small fee. This is usually the easiest option if you’re not in a hurry.
How it works:
- Call your waste company or schedule online
- They’ll give you a pickup date (sometimes weeks out)
- Put the item at the curb the night before or morning of
- They haul it away
| City Type | Cost | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Large cities | Often free (1-4 items/year) | 1-4 weeks |
| Suburban | $25-50 per item | 1-2 weeks |
| Rural | $50-75 per item | Varies |
Spring and early summer are the busiest times for bulky pickup. I've seen wait times stretch to 6 weeks in May. If you need something gone fast, schedule in winter or use another option.
Finding your program:
Check your city’s waste management website, or call 311. Some cities bundle bulky pickup with regular trash service. Others require a separate request. If you can’t find information online, call your regular trash company—they usually know.
Option 2: Transfer Station Drop-Off
If you have access to a truck or trailer, taking furniture to a transfer station yourself is often faster and cheaper than waiting for bulky pickup.
What to expect:
- Charged by weight (usually $40-80 minimum)
- Some facilities have separate areas for bulky items
- May need help unloading (bring a friend)
- In and out in 15-20 minutes
Use our interactive map to find transfer stations near you, or browse by state: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia.
If you're getting rid of multiple items, one transfer station trip is almost always cheaper than paying per-item bulky pickup fees. A couch, table, and a few chairs? That's potentially $150+ in pickup fees versus $50 at the dump.
Tie down furniture in your truck or trailer. I've seen couches fly out on the highway. It's dangerous, illegal, and you can get fined for debris on the road. Ratchet straps are cheap insurance.
Option 3: Donation (If It’s in Good Shape)
Donating furniture keeps it out of the landfill and helps someone else. But charities have standards, and most won’t take just anything.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
ReStores accept furniture and often offer free pickup for large items. This is my first recommendation for quality furniture. Check habitat.org/restores for locations near you.
What they typically accept:
- Sofas and loveseats in good condition
- Dining tables and chairs
- Dressers and bedroom furniture
- Office furniture
What they won’t take:
- Furniture with major stains, tears, or odors
- Anything with pet damage or bed bugs
- Particle board furniture in poor condition
- Mattresses (see our mattress disposal guide)
Salvation Army and Goodwill
Some locations accept furniture, others don’t. Call your local store before loading up your truck. Many offer free pickup for large items.
Take photos of your furniture before calling donation centers. It helps them decide quickly whether they can accept it, and you won't waste time describing condition over the phone.
Local Buy Nothing Groups
Facebook “Buy Nothing” groups and Craigslist “free” sections can move furniture fast. You post it, someone comes and picks it up. No hauling required on your end.
The reality: You’ll get no-shows. In my experience, about half of people who say they’re coming never show up. Set a pickup deadline and move on to the next person if they flake. First person who arrives, gets it.
Option 4: Junk Removal Services
If you need it gone today and don’t want to deal with it yourself, junk removal services will come to your house, haul the furniture out, and dispose of it.
| Service Type | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Single item | $75-125 | Same-day |
| Multiple items | $150-300+ | Same-day |
| Full room cleanout | $300-600+ | Same-day |
National companies:
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK
- Junk King
- College Hunks Hauling Junk
What you get:
- They do all the lifting and hauling
- No need for a truck
- Same-day or next-day service
- They deal with disposal
Get quotes from at least two companies. Prices vary significantly. Local junk haulers are often 20-30% cheaper than national chains. Check Facebook Marketplace for "junk removal" in your area.
This is the most expensive option but also the fastest and easiest. Worth it if you have mobility issues, no truck access, are on a tight timeline, or just want it done.
Option 5: Curbside “Free” Pickup
You know the move: put it on the curb with a “FREE” sign and hope someone takes it.
Does it work?
Sometimes. I’ve watched decent furniture in a high-traffic area disappear within hours. Worn-out furniture in a quiet neighborhood might sit there for a week.
What helps:
- Post it on Facebook Marketplace as “free, curb pickup”
- Take a photo and include your address
- Put it out on a dry day (wet furniture attracts nobody)
- Weekends work better than weekdays
In most cities, if nobody takes it, you're responsible for removing it. Leaving furniture on the curb indefinitely can get you a fine ($50-200 in most places). Some areas limit curb items to 24-48 hours. Have a backup plan.
Option 6: Breaking It Down Yourself
Some furniture can be disassembled and thrown away in pieces over several trash pickups. This takes effort but costs nothing.
Good candidates for breakdown:
- Particle board furniture (IKEA-style)
- Wooden tables and chairs
- Bed frames (non-metal)
- Bookshelves and entertainment centers
Bad candidates:
- Upholstered furniture (too bulky even in pieces)
- Solid hardwood antiques (too heavy, too valuable)
- Anything with springs or foam cushions
- Recliners with metal mechanisms
Tools you’ll need:
- Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead)
- Allen wrenches (IKEA furniture)
- Rubber mallet
- Maybe a pry bar or saw
Check your trash can size limits before breaking down furniture. Most haulers limit weight to 50-60 lbs per can. Spread heavy pieces across multiple weeks rather than trying to sneak it all out at once.
What NOT to Do
I've seen all of these result in fines or create problems for others. Don't be that person.
Don’t dump furniture illegally. Roadsides, alleys, behind businesses, empty lots—I’ve seen it all. Illegal dumping fines start at $500 and go up to $10,000 in some jurisdictions. Many cities have cameras at common dumping spots. It’s not worth the risk.
Don’t leave it on the curb indefinitely. If nobody takes your “free” couch within a day or two, it becomes your problem again. Rain-soaked furniture is harder to give away and harder to dispose of.
Don’t try to donate trash. Dropping off a stained, torn couch at a charity is just making someone else deal with your disposal problem. Charities pay to dispose of unusable donations. If it’s not in good shape, use a different option.
Don’t abandon furniture when moving out. Leaving furniture behind for the landlord or next tenant is illegal dumping. You can be charged disposal fees and lose your security deposit.
State-Specific Notes
California
California has good bulky pickup programs in most cities, but wait times can be long in dense urban areas like LA and San Francisco (sometimes 3-4 weeks). Many cities offer free pickup for up to 4 items per year. Check CalRecycle for local resources.
Texas
Rules vary by city. Houston offers free bulky pickup quarterly. Dallas charges $24-$85 per item depending on size. Austin has free scheduled pickup. Smaller cities may have limited options—check TCEQ for your area.
Florida
Florida bulky pickup varies by county. Most urban areas (Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange) offer free or low-cost pickup. Schedule through your county waste department. Check the Florida DEP for local contacts.
New York
NYC residents can schedule free pickup through NYC 311. Items must be at the curb by 6 AM on collection day. Upstate New York varies by municipality—contact your town or county.
Georgia
My home state. Metro Georgia counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett) all offer bulky pickup, typically $25-50 per item. Wait times are usually 1-2 weeks. Check Georgia facilities for transfer station locations.
Disposal Checklist
- Assess furniture condition (donation vs disposal)
- For good furniture, try Habitat ReStore first
- Check if your city offers free bulky pickup
- For multiple items, consider a transfer station run
- Post on Buy Nothing or Craigslist free section
- For same-day removal, get quotes from junk haulers
Doing a Full Cleanout?
If you’re clearing out a whole house or apartment, furniture is usually just one piece of the puzzle. You might also be dealing with:
- Old mattresses (different rules than furniture)
- Appliances (fridges, washers need special handling)
- Paint cans (hazardous waste considerations)
- Electronics (TVs, computers)
- Yard waste (branches, leaves)
The Bottom Line
- Fastest: Junk removal service (same day, but costs $75-200+)
- Cheapest: Buy Nothing group, curb alert, or break it down yourself
- Easiest: Bulky item pickup (free or cheap, but can take weeks)
- Best for good furniture: Donation to Habitat ReStore
Use our state directory or interactive map to find disposal facilities near you.
Before you buy new furniture, think about how you'll get rid of the old stuff. Many retailers offer haul-away service with delivery. Ask before you buy—it's often cheaper than arranging disposal separately.
