How To Recycle Furniture

Pretty much everyone at some point has a piece of furniture that they no longer want; maybe you have changed your taste in decor, inherited a piece of furniture from a relative, moved house and no longer have room for an item. And of course maybe you have furniture that is damaged and want to get rid of it.

If your furniture is in good condition there are lots of things you can do with it.

Where To Recycle Your Furniture

Ask around your family, friends, workmates and neighbours and see if there is anyone who can make good use of it.
Sell it. You can advertise it on eBay, however I have found the best results come from advertising in the local newspaper, which is often free if the item is below a certain value and can be done via the internet.
Donate it to a local charity shop. Please check first, as smaller shops cannot accept large items of furniture. Some organisations can collect furniture, although you will probably have to wait until they are in your area. Many charity shops are unable to accept electrical items (they need to be able to check them for safety before they resell them and many do not have the facilities for this), but do ask, as a few may accept them.
Give it away via a recycling community such as Freecycle. Just advertise the item available and if someone wants it they can come and take it away.
Donate it to the Reuse Network. FRN is national co-ordinating body for 400 furniture and appliance re-use and recycling organisations in the UK, who give furniture to families on low incomes. You can find your nearest furniture reuse organisation on their website.

Can It Be Repaired?

May your furniture just needs repairing. If the item is an antique, find a reputable restorer by visiting the The British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association.

If not don't be afraid to have a go your self (well, if it's only going to landfill otherwise you might as well try), or let a friend who is a DIY enthusiast have a go. There are plenty of videos on YouTube with tutorials on how to repair or refurbish anything from sofas and chairs to tables and chests of drawers.

If Your Item Of Furniture Is Badly Damaged

So, what if your item of furniture is truly beyond repair? Well, if it is made of wood it can be recycled.

Most local councils accept wood for recycling at some of their recycling sites, usually the larger ones. Items made of leather or synthetic materials cannot be recycled.

Find your local recycling facilities here

How To Make Eco-Friendly Furniture Purchases

Finally, you can make your future furniture purchases as environmentally friendly as possible.

Buy secondhand items.
Make sure that any new items of wooden furniture bear the Forest Stewardship Council certification.
Choose chairs and sofas with covers that can be easily replaced, so that when you want to change your decor you can just buy new covers rather than having to buy a whole new sofa.
Dining chairs can be re-covered easily with fabric and a staple gun.

If you are lucky, you may find that your local college offers courses in upholstery.
Paint furniture that you are bored with rather than replacing it.
Look for items made from reclaimed wood.
Buy good quality items that will last a long time.

Charities That Accept Donations of Furniture

These are a selection of charities that accept donations of furniture for reuse by needy families around the UK.

The Reuse Network website should be your first stop, as they are an umbrella organisation for charities all over the UK who accept funiture donations t help people in crisis.
Emmaus is an organisation with branches across the UK who accept donated furniture to help homeless people. They will sell items or upcycle them if they need a bit of TLC.
Recycle Your Furniture are based in Byker and have a workshop where you can donate furniture and maybe fnd the piece of funiture that you are looking for too!
Reviive is a Shropshire based social enterprise which takes in donated funiture, replairs and refurbishes it and sells it to rais funds for various local charities.
East Belfast Mission repair and refurbish wood items before selling on through the restore shops.
Stroud District Furniture Bank is another social enterprise which will collect unwanted furniture and sell it at affordable prices to families on low incomes.