If you’re feeling like it’s time to part with your old couch and looking for information on easy, eco-friendly furniture disposal, you’re definitely not alone. In this guide we’ll help you decide what to do with your unwanted furniture and how to do it safely, and easily.

There are many options for couch removal that might suit you. One option is to donate your old furniture. Another option is to call a junk removal service that will come pick up bulky items like couches and dispose of it properly. Let’s begin by taking a look at how you can determine which option is best, by understanding your couch’s condition.

Understanding Your Couch’s Condition

Before deciding which method you’ll use to get rid of your couch, you should assess its condition. This is important because if your couch is still in good condition, you may be able to ‘freecycle’ (i.e. donating or listing it on facebook marketplace) rather than disposing of it. So, let’s review what you should look for when determining whether or not to donate, or dispose of your couch.

Average Lifespan of a Couch

The lifespan of the average couch is about 7 to 15 years. However, there are rare circumstances in which an old sofa, that is considered to be an antique, can be refurbished and used for a longer period of time. But typically speaking, if your couch is 7-15 years old, it’s best to dispose of it and purchase a new couch.

Comfort and Durability of Your Couch

Another aspect to consider is the support and feel of your couch. Are the couch cushions starting to sag? If so, you have to decide whether or not you feel that they can be replaced. Test the cushions to see how much resistance they have when squeezed and how quickly they adjust after you let go. If there isn’t much resistance, or they take a while to decompress, it is likely the foam needs to be replaced.

Structural Wear and Tear of Your Couch

The next thing to consider is the quality of your sofa fabric. You should look for stains, tears, etc that can build up on furniture items over time. Are they minor, or does the couch need to be reupholstered? In addition, you should examine the interior of the couch. If it creaks when you sit, it could mean it needs repair. However, a couch with a strong wood frame and metal springs might be salvageable.

Health Hazards

Finally, when examining the interior of the couch, it’s important to check for any health hazards such as animal droppings, bed bugs, or mold and mildew. It might be scary to think about, but pests can hide and infest the interior of certain pieces of furniture and moisture can build up in the cushions over time. If any of these elements are present, couch disposal is recommended.

Eco-Friendly Options for Getting Rid of Your Couch

Now that you’ve evaluated your couch’s condition, and decided whether it should be donated or disposed of, let’s review some eco-friendly options to help you part ways with your old friend regardless of its condition.

1. Donate Your Couch

A great option for a couch in good used condition, is to donate it to an organization like the Salvation Army, Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity. These are nonprofit organizations that sell used couches and other donated furniture in their retail stores. Other local charities in your area may also accept used couches. You can drop off your couch or arrange a free pick up so they can do the heavy lifting for you. If you choose to do this, you can also claim your donation as a tax deduction.

2. Recycle Your Couch

Due to landfill overcrowding, many cities now have eco-friendly recycling programs to help citizens safely dispose of used furniture. Some programs will even arrange a curbside pickup for a fee if you can’t bring it in yourself. Call your local recycling center to confirm your options.

3. Junk Removal

Professional furniture removal is another option. Junk removal companies have the means to properly break down your couch and dispose of it properly. A quick local search will help you find a service near you. Give them a call and arrange for a furniture pick up. However, these services can get pretty costly depending on the type of furniture you’re removing, the number of furniture pieces, and how heavy they are. Expect to pay at least $150 if you contract this type of service to remove a couch.

4. Sell Your Couch

If your couch is new enough and still in excellent condition, you might be able to sell it locally. If you’re unsure of how to price your sofa, look at other local listings for couches as a reference point. Online forums like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are usually great ways to find buyers, especially if you need to get rid of your couch pretty quickly. However, don’t expect a huge payout from this. The average price of a Craigslist sofa sale, regardless of sofa brand, is about $250.

5. Repair Your Couch

Finally, if you’re still on the fence about parting ways with your couch, you might be able to do a little DIY home repair to fix it. You may be able to replace your cushion filling if your couch is sagging. If it’s a structural issue, and you’re handy, there are options for DIY repair.

What You Should Avoid When Getting Rid of Large Furniture

If you have decided to get rid of your couch, there are certain things you’ll want to avoid. For example, DIY (dump it yourself) of large items by dumpster rental is extremely harmful to the environment and should be avoided.

We recommend calling your local recycling facility. They have the know-how to help you determine which parts of your couch, if any, are recyclable. For instance, metal springs, which can be taken to a scrap yard.

Here are a few things that can’t be recycled:

• Waterlogged items
• Furniture with pest infestations
• Slipcovers, pillows, or blankets
• Plastic and elastic frame pieces
• Foam or Poly-fill cushions
• Sleeper sofa and futon mattresses

Tips to Make the Couch Removal as Easy as Possible

If you’ve decided to get rid of your couch, here are some suggestions to make it as easy and stress free as possible.

• Have a garage sale.
• List it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
• Call 1-800-Got-Junk or book online to schedule a hassle- free pick up.
• Arrange a drop off or pickup with a humanitarian organization like GoodWill.
• Take the couch apart and donate recyclable parts, the wood frame or springs.

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