Furniture has an expiry date. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend or how carefully you take care of it, it eventually reaches its end date. Some pieces have a shorter life than others, from creaking to bad odours and wear and tear. Whether you have a piece or two to get rid of or you are having a total clearout. Unwanted furniture is cumbersome, and unless you happen to have a ute handy, ridding yourself of it will require work.
So, what’s the best way to dispose of these items properly, safely, and with the environment in mind?
The Dos
The first place to start is by doing a bit of research about local regulations.
Making a donation is an excellent option. If your old furniture is still in decent condition, a second-hand store or op shop would be delighted to have it. A lot of people look for older pieces to upcycle, and some people just prefer a specific look.
A professional rubbish removal service can help – when you have several heavy items, let the professionals carry them away. You don’t have to worry about renting a ute, the heavy lifting or finding out where to dispose of it properly. Let the experts handle it.
You can break down as much of the furniture as possible, which will help save space and reduce the cost of disposal, whether you are using a professional service or renting a vehicle.
The best option, of course, is to recycle as much of the furniture as possible. That might be a challenge if you don’t where to take each item, but using a company to handle rubbish removal in Sydney means they will recycle everything that can possibly be recycled.
The Don’ts
You can’t simply dump furniture on the street or break it up and put it in the general household waste bin. You also can’t burn it or bury it, as many of the materials involved release toxins into the air when burned.
If you have damaged or broken furniture, do not donate it. Damaged furniture is a safety hazard.
Safety Precautions
When you are handling furniture, whether it’s to break it down or move it, you should wear safety goggles and gloves as a safety precaution. When you are disassembling furniture, you should take extra care as it’s easy to cut yourself on sharp objects as they splinter.
When you lift, remember to keep your feet should-width apart in a karate stance. Bend at your knees and hips and maintain good posture as you slowly lift. Keep the load as close to your body as possible and change direction with your feet.
Environmental Impact
You might not think there are great environmental risks to dumping furniture, but improperly disposing of any type of rubbish or furniture can have a great impact on our environment. In addition to impacting air pollution for items that end up in landfills or elsewhere, it can also cause a risk to wildlife. From marine life to birds and beyond, animals can ingest dangerous items which can cause serious health problems and upset the delicate balance of nature.
Heavy debris is attractive to a range of pests that can carry bacteria and disease, which is a health risk to humans. With the changing climate and the damage we have done to the planet, we have to take every opportunity to dispose of things in their proper place. Some furniture can be broken down and recycled, and other pieces can be upcycled for a new life. Both of these routes are important to the environment because re-using items means less need to create newer ones from our precious resources.
Pay it Forward
We are in a cost-of-living crisis and as wages remain stagnant and bills soar, everyone is pinching pennies trying to get by. If you are in a position to invest in new furniture, you can help your community by donating your old items. You never know what others are going through, whether it’s a single parent moving into a new home with nothing or a young couple just getting their first place together. There are various websites where you can list your items for free provided they can come collect the piece so you don’t need to worry about hauling anything away.
How Cheapest Load of Rubbish Can Help
Every item of rubbish has a proper home, and it’s important that we follow through on that whether it’s a chocolate wrapper or an old lounge. Responsible furniture rubbish removal is important to the local community, the wider environment, and nature. Using professional Sydney rubbish removal services will guarantee your old furniture is disposed of properly, whether it’s recyclable or not. You can reach out to schedule your free quote today. Our team will arrive on-site and load up all of your old furniture from where it is located and deal with the rest.
