It is no secret that we can’t carry on with the same pattern of consumption. The same norm… more, faster and cheaper is not sustainable.

Furniture is one of the fastest-growing landfill categories. In 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found furniture accounted for more than 12 million tons of municipal waste in the United States. Furniture waste constitutes the second largest portion of urban waste.

Insane right?

Look, we’re not a preachy bunch over here at PMP Contractors. We’re optimists trying to do better, be better and live better. For ourselves, for our environment and for others.

I’m sure we have all seen the clutter at our street corners, old couches, broken chairs and desks. The unfortunate truth is that so many furniture items are made cheap and intended to only last 1-5 years and repairing everything is just not possible.  

How do we change our consumption habits? Why do people buy new things instead of fixing them? As the saying goes, ““what goes around, comes around”

Furniture disposal is tricky because often fast furniture or cheaply made furniture isn’t made of a single material but rather toxic glues + synthetic materials (like particle board + resin.) All of which makes the process of furniture disposal difficult –– but before heading off to the dump, here is our list of alternative routs;

• Check with your local recycling company

Each recycler can handle different materials. It’s always best to call and find out if what you have can be recycled.

• Donate It

From men’s + women’s shelters to some small nonprofits or even large charities — if the furniture you’re disposing, is still in good condition, donating it is an excellent way to keep it from ending up in landfills.

• Furniture restoration

From DIY repair kits to re-upholstering couches, office chairs and repairing desks, it is worth the time to compare new vs repairs quotes.

• Sell your furniture.

Many start up companies do not have the budget to buy new and advertising online or selling to 2^nd hand furniture shops is a great alternative. Like the saying goes “another man’s trash is another man’s treasure”

Even the smallest step will keep us moving forward!

Hopefully, we’ve got you thinking a bit differently about furniture disposal. From the office furniture and even the home industry to how you can approach creating an office or home with everything you need + nothing more.

And if you’re in the preliminary planning stages of your next furniture project, let’s chat.

References

1. EPA