How can I dispose of unwanted furniture?

If the furniture can be easily disassembled, you should be able to dispose of it at your local tip. It is better, however, to consider the possibility of recycling your unwanted furniture. If it is in a fit state to be used again, you might be able to donate it to a local charity. The best way to go about doing this is to ask local charities if they would be able to receive the donation, or to contact the recycling department of your local council, most of which now have a recycling and disposal service.

How do I go about arranging for my local council to pick up my unwanted furniture?

You can go into local council office, or arrange a collection by telephone call. (The phone number will be in the Yellow Pages and on the council's website). Alternatively, you could fill in an online form, which should be easily accessible from the website.

How much will it cost?

Local councils generally charge for their disposal services. The cost varies between councils. As a rough guide, one local council charges £22.50 for the removal of 3 large items, and £7.50 for the removal of each additional item.

Is it worth hiring a waste disposal company to dispose of my waste for me?

Probably not. Businesses often hire waste disposal companies because they know how to handle hazardous waste safely and legally, or because they have a very large amount of waste to dispose of. Waste disposal companies frequently dispose of items seen as hazardous, such as items containing refrigerants or ozone depleting foam, including fridges, freezers and air conditioning units. That said, it is usually only worth hiring a waste disposal company if there are a great number of such items to dispose of, or if you are trying to dispose of a very large amount of waste.

Waste disposal companies ensure that the correct documentation required for the disposal of hazardous waste is completed, and will take the items to a place where the hazardous elements can be removed and disposed of correctly, and the remainder can be recycled. The cost of such services depends upon the nature and amount of the work required. Companies will provide quotations on request.

However, this will usually be unnecessary for the average home owner, as local councils will also remove 'hazardous' items legally and safely, and will ensure that the disposal is handled in an environmentally friendly way. As councils can dispose of any item found in the average home, their services will satisfy the requirements of most home owners.