How to get rid of a sofa: 7 best sofa disposal methods
If your sofa is looking tired and saggy, it may be time to replace it. But how do you get rid of your old one?
Sofas are bulky and difficult to transport, which can make disposal seem complicated.
But don't worry - there are plenty of options available, including collection services.
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Sofa disposal methods: summary
There are seven main ways you can get rid of your sofa.
| Disposal option | Type of service | Collection service? | Free service? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give to charity | Re-use | In some cases | Yes |
| Give away/ sell online | Re-use | In some cases | Yes |
| Recycling centre | Recycling | No | Yes |
| Recycling collection scheme | Recycling | Yes | No |
| Council collection | Recycling or disposal | Yes | No |
| Sofa brand collection scheme | Recycling or disposal | Yes | No |
| Private removal | Disposal | Yes | No |
Remember that the most sustainable option is to ensure your sofa is re-used (i.e., continues to be used as a sofa). This is more sustainable than recycling, because recycling a sofa requires energy.
However, taking a sofa to landfill is by far the least sustainable option.
This article will explain how to dispose of your sofa with these seven different methods.
1. Donate your sofa to charity
If your sofa is in a good shape, the most sustainable option is to donate or sell it.
Some charities, such as the British Heart Foundation, will even come and collect your sofa for free.
In order to be sold on, your sofa will need its fire safety label attached - this is essential if you want to donate your sofa.
Find out more about the Reuse Network. Or, if you live near a charity shop that sells furniture, you could try contacting them directly to find out if they're interested.
2. Give away or sell your sofa online
There are plenty of online marketplaces on which you can give away or sell your sofa. In general, the buyer is expected to come and pick up the sofa, but ensure you confirm this before you agree to any sales.
Marketplaces specifically for giving away your sofa include:
- Freecycle
- Freegle
- TrashNothing
- LoveJunk - this will match you with a sofa collection service if you need.
There are also a range of marketplaces on which you can sell your sofa (or give it away). These include:
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay
- Gumtree
- Preloved
- Shpock
- Wallapop
Before you get started, check out our guide to how to sell online, and the best online marketplaces to use as a seller.
Looking to replace your old sofa? Check out our guide to the best sofa shops - rated by real owners
3. Take your sofa to a recycling centre
If you are able to transport your sofa, you can take it to a recycling centre.
Find your local centre using your council's website. Make sure you check that they accept bulky items before making the trip.
4. Use a sofa recycling collection scheme
There are now several private sofa recycling schemes, which take away your sofa and reuse or recycle it. They inclue Clearabee and LoveJunk.
Bear in mind that you do have to pay for these services. Clearabee's service stars from £70.
One of the main advantages to this is the speed - these services will normally collect your sofa within a few days.
5. Use your council sofa collection scheme
If you live in England or Wales, your local council might run a bulky waste collection service. You normally have to pay for these services, although they are generally cheaper than using a private removal company.
Some of these services do take the sofa to be recycled, but others just take the sofa to landfill.
If you live in England or Wales, you can find out about the services from your council using the gov.uk website.
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, go to your council’s website and search for bulky waste disposal.
If you want to get a bargain on your next sofa, see our round-up of the best sofa deals (updated monthly)
6. Check if your new sofa retailer has a collection scheme
Many online sofa retailers will collect your old sofa when they deliver your new one.
You'll need to check online before making your purchase, but we've seen services offered by brands like John Lewis, DFS and Sofology.
7. Pay for a private removal service
If other options aren't suitable, you might considered using a private removal service.
These are generally faster and more convenient than other options, but can be expensive.
You also need to be really carefully that you choose a reputable company - if the company you've hired fly-tips your sofa, you could end up facing a fine.
If you're feeling short on inspiration, check out our sofa buying guide
