Inclement Weather: (Last updated Tuesday, 2/13/2024, at 6:40 AM)
Operations are closed today Tuesday, 2-13-2024
Please note after sending our crews out for collection this morning and evaluating conditions, we pulled our crews in. Understand that this is not an easy decision to make, and we need to take different factors into consideration.
Recovery collection for today will be your next scheduled collection day, Friday (2-16-2024)
(*If you have 1x per week collection, you will be collected on Friday, 2-16-2024 as well)
Reminders for Inclement Weather:
When there is a potential of inclement weather, we do not make any decisions about our collection schedule until that morning of the collection day.
When we are evaluating inclement weather, we have to take a few different factors into account.- How the current weather pattern at that time is performing
- How are the current road conditions
- Have the transfer station/Landfills change there operation times
- Any Local and/or State announcements
- Most importantly the safely of our drivers and crews
- If any time after that point the inclement weather starts after the drivers/crews start their routes. We will start to evaluate the intensity of the storm, road conditions, driver/crew feed back, and other items.
- If at any time during collection tomorrow we see conditions increasingly getting poor, we could potentially pull our drivers/crews over the roads for safety concerns.
- We will evaluate the intensity of the storm, road conditions and other items before sending our drivers/crews out.
If either situation above is the reality
- If we decide to bring in or not send the drivers/crews out the recovery collection for tomorrow would be your next schedule collection day, Friday (2-16-2024)
- Understand that when making a decision like this there is no easy answer. As we want to provide our best and most reliable service to all customers, we want to make sure that our drivers/crews are in safe working conditions.
Please keep in mind a few other items when dealing with inclement weather
- Please make sure to have all your solid waste bagged in your container(s) and out the night before collection.
- Drivers/Crews will not be able to come back to a street our area if they already were there in this instance.
If you have a driveway service or commercial service, Please make sure that there is a clear path to your container(s).
- Driveways or parking lots that not shoveled, plowed, or iced create more risk and issues to perform collection safely/correctly.
- Commercial services: please make sure your gated areas are not plowed in and regular accessible to open and close properly. The commercial containers are metal, with colder temperatures, rain, ice, or snow could make your the solid waste freeze inside the container.
- Road conditions and side street. There could be some Roads and side street hard for the trucks to drive down. Depending on Inclines/declines or if they need to back into the street. Yes, the trucks are larger than personal vehicles. But that does not mean they handle snow and ice better. All drivers we entrust to use their best judgement and thoughtful decision making.
- If you have Christmas trees or bulk schedule for collection , understand that they can't be buried under ice or snow. That could effect collection.
- We normally do not do delay start times for collections in inclement weather situations normally.
Please understand that we try not to make quick decisions on collection schedules when inclement weather is involved. We try to everything into account. While we always try to give all our customers our best service possible, we always want to make sure our drivers/crews are in safe conditions. Thank you for your attention as evaluate and navigate the potential storm.
We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home, community, and business. Safe travels and have a nice day.
Reminders for Possible Inclement Weather: Updated Thursday (1-18-2024 at 3:30 PM)
Please note that we are operating under a normal collection schedule for Friday, 1-18-2023, as of now.
When there is a potential of inclement weather, we do not make any decisions about our collection schedule until that morning of the collection day.When we are evaluating inclement weather, we have to take a few different factors into account.
- How the current weather pattern at that time is performing
- How are the current road conditions
- Have the transfer station/Landfills change there operation times
- Any Local and/or State announcements
- Most importantly the safely of our drivers and crews
- If any time after that point the inclement weather starts after the drivers/crews start their routes. We will start to evaluate the intensity of the storm, road conditions, driver/crew feed back, and other items.
- If at any time during collection tomorrow we see conditions increasingly getting poor, we could potentially pull our drivers/crews over the roads for safety concerns.
- We will evaluate the intensity of the storm, road conditions and other items before sending our drivers/crews out.
- If we decide to bring in or not send the drivers/crews out the recovery collection for tomorrow would be your next schedule collection day, Tuesday (1-22-2024)
Please keep in mind a few other items when dealing with inclement weather
- Please make sure to have all your solid waste bagged in your container(s) and out the night before collection.
- Drivers/Crews will not be able to come back to a street our area if they already were there in this instance.
- Driveways or parking lots that not shoveled, plowed, or iced create more risk and issues to perform collection safely/correctly.
- Commercial services: please make sure your gated areas are not plowed in and regular accessible to open and close properly. The commercial containers are metal, with colder temperatures, rain, ice, or snow could make your the solid waste freeze inside the container.
- Road conditions and side street . There could be some Roads and side street hard for the trucks to drive down. Depending on Inclines/declines or if they need to back into the street. Yes, the trucks are larger than personal vehicles. But that does not mean they handle snow and ice better. All drivers we entrust to use their best judgement and thoughtful decision making.
- If you have Christmas trees or bulk schedule for collection , understand that they can't be buried under ice or snow. That could effect collection.
Please understand that we try not to make quick decisions on collection schedules when inclement weather is involved. We try to everything into account. While we always try to give all our customers our best service possible, we always want to make sure our drivers/crews are in safe conditions. Thank you for your attention as evaluate and navigate the potential storm.
We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home, community, and business. Safe travels and have a nice day.
Announcement for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1-15-2024)
Please note that we are operating under a normal collection schedule for Monday, 1-15-2024 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- Please make sure to have all household garbage bagged with container ready and out the night before your collection day.
- As a reminder, a full list of our Holiday Collection schedule for 2024 located at the footer of our website and in our residential section tab. Here is a link for your review as well: Holiday Collection Schedule 2024 (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home, community, and business. Safe travels and have a nice day.
Hope this message finds you well. This post is a reminder of the Holiday collection and operation schedule for Thanksgiving week. Pinto Brothers Disposal operations will be closed Thursday, November 23, 2023, in observance of Thanksgiving.
Residential customers:
-If Thursday is your normal scheduled collection day, Monday 11-27-2023, will be the makeup/ double day collection .
-If Friday is your normal scheduled collection day, you are under a normal collection schedule.
Communities:
If you live in one of the following communities below, please note you are under a different holiday collection schedule. Your collection will be performed on Friday morning, 11-24-2023.
- Beau Ridge at Holmdel
- Maple Run - Rolling Hills at Basking Ridge
- The Barons at Basking Ridge
Commercial customers:
You are under a normal collection schedule for this week.
Full holiday collection and operation schedule:
Monday: (11-20-2023): Office is under normal hours of operations.
- Normal Residential Collection Schedule
- Normal Commercial Collection Schedule
Tuesday: (11-21-2023): Office is under normal hours of operations.
- Normal Residential Collection Schedule
- Normal Commercial Collection Schedule
Wednesday: (11-22-2023): Office will be closed early at 12:00pm.
- Normal Residential Collection Schedule
- Normal Commercial Collection Schedule
Thursday: (11-23-2023): Office and operations are closed in observance of Thanksgiving
- Residential Collection for those customers will be Monday, 11-27-2023, Double Day Collection
- Normal Commercial Collection Schedule
Friday: (11-24-2023): Office is under normal hours of operations.
- Normal Residential Collection Schedule (Maple Run, The Barons, and Beau Ridge communities will be receiving collection as well)
- Normal Commercial Collection Schedule
Residential Collection reminders for Friday (11-24-2023) and Monday (11-27-2023):
- Household solid waste should be placed outside the night before to ensure collection
- Please have all household trash is bagged and placed inside your container
- Any items outside your container or Bulk collection needs to be scheduled with the office before putting out.
- Recycling collection is performed by your township.
- Your collection time will be different than normal, please be patient as the crews go through the routes.
If you are interested in a different service package than you have now, please give us a call at 908-561-8231 or email us at pintobros.llc@gmail.com. We are also running a residential referral program for our current customers. Refer us to your neighbors, family, friends, co-workers and upon them becoming a new residential customer to Pinto Brothers, we will give you (1) Free month of service.
Thank you so much for your time. We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home. From our family to yours, we hope you have a pleasant and relaxing Thanksgiving. Safe Travels and have a nice day.
Pinto Brothers Disposal
Holiday Collection Schedule for Labor Day (September 4, 2023)
We hope this message finds you well. This post is a reminder of our Holiday schedule as Labor Day approaches on Monday (September 4, 2023)
Monday (Sept. 4th): Operations closed in observance of Labor Day.- Residential Customers if your collection is on Mondays. Customers picked-up 1x per week on Monday, will be serviced on Thursday, September 7th. Customers picked-up 2x per week with a Monday collection will be serviced on their next regular scheduled collection Thursday, September 7th.
- Note residents in the following communities: Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Rolling Hills at Maple Run, and the Barons at Basking Ridge please view information below for your make-up day collection schedule.
Thursday (Sept. 7th): Double Day/Make-up collection for all Monday residential customers due to the Holiday on Monday, September 4th.
Friday (Sept. 8th): Normal collection schedule
Operations at Pinto Brothers Disposal will be closed forLabor DayMonday (September 4, 2023).
Residential customers that normally have collection performed on Mondays, there will be no collection due to the holiday. Thursday, September 7th, will be the next collection day for all 1x and 2x per week residential customers. Please make sure for Thursday, September 7th, collection your trash is out the night before on Thursday morning.
Any extra bagged solid waste you have out for collection on Thursday, the drivers will make sure to clean up. No bulk collection will be scheduled for collection on this day.
Please note due to the double day on Thursday, September 7th, your collection time will be different than normal, please be patient as the drivers go through the routes.
Attention residential customers in the following communities: Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Rolling Hills at Maple Run, and the Barons at Basking Ridge please note due to the Holiday on Monday, September 4th, your make-up collection day will be on Tuesday, September 5th. Please make sure to have your solid waste out the night before for Tuesday collection.
Residential customers that have collection on Tuesday/Friday or Tuesday’s only you will be on a normal collection schedule for the Memorial Day collection week.
Please remember a few general guidelines on normal collection:
- Household solid waste should be placed outside the night before to ensure collection.
- Please have all household trash bagged and placed inside of your container.
- Any items outside your container or Bulk collection needs to be scheduled with the office before putting out.
- Recycling collection should be performed by your township. Please visit our Local Township Recycling Page for more information. Link: Local Recycling Information (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Compostable and most electrics items also have their own programs in New Jersey as well. Please view the following links to see what your township/electrical company offers and how to compost at home.
- Recycling Program: South Plainfield
- Recycling Collection (edisonnj.org)
- Recycling & Solid Waste Management | Somerset County
- Energy Star Rebates for Home Appliances & Products - PSE&G (pseg.com)
- Composting at Home (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Construction materials, dirt, concrete, paint, oil, and demo projects are not acceptable bulk items. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section on our Residential page for more information: Residential Disposals | Trash Pickup | South Plainfield, NJ (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
If you are interested in a different residential service package than you have now, please give reach our to us at 908-561-8231 or email us at pintobros.llc@gmail.com We are also running a residential referral program for our current customers. Refer us to your neighbors, family, friends, co-workers and upon them becoming a new residential customer to Pinto Brothers, we will give you 1 Free month of service.
Thank you so much for your time. We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home. From our family to yours, we hope you have a pleasant and relaxing Labor Day weekend. Stay safe and have a nice day.
Pinto Brothers Disposal
Holiday Schedule for the Week of Fourth of July 2023
We hope this message finds you well. This post is a reminder of our Holiday schedule as Fourth of July approaches on Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Monday (July 3rd): Normal Collection Schedule
- Tuesday (July 4th):
Operations closed in observance of Fourth of July. There will be no residential collection for customer's collected on that Tuesday.
- Note residents in the following communities: Four Oaks and Stone Edge, please reach out to your Board for your make-up collection schedule.
- Wednesday (July 5th): Normal Collection Schedule
- Thursday (July 6th): Normal Collection Schedule
- Friday (July 7th):
Double Day/Make-up collection for all Tuesday residential customers due to the Holiday on July 4th.
- Please make sure for collection your trash is out the night to insure collection. 1x per week customers will be collected as well.
Operations at Pinto Brothers Disposal will be closed for Fourth of July Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Residential customers that normally have collection performed on Tuesday, there will be no collection due to the holiday. Friday, July 7th, will be the next collection day for all 1x and 2x per week residential customers in that collection matrix.
Please make sure for Friday,July 7th,collection your trash is out the night before.
Any extra bagged solid waste you have out for collection on Friday, the drivers will make sure to clean up. No bulk collection will be scheduled for collection on this day.
Please note due to the double day on Friday, July 7th, your collection time will be different than normal, please be patient as the drivers go through the routes.
Attention residential customers in the following communities: Four Oaks and Stone Edge please note due to the Holiday on Tuesday, July 4th, your make-up collection day will be on Wednesday, July 5th. Please make sure to have your solid waste out the night before for Wednesday's collection.
Residential customers that have collection on Monday/Thursday or Monday’s only you will be on a normal collection schedule for the Fourth of July collection week.
Please remember a few general guidelines on normal collection:
- Household solid waste should be placed outside the night before to ensure collection.
- Please have all household trash bagged and placed inside of your container.
- Any items outside your container or Bulk collection needs to be scheduled with the office before putting out.
- Recycling collection should be performed by your township. Please visit our Local Township Recycling Page for more information. Link: Local Recycling Information (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Compostable and most electrics items also have their own programs in New Jersey as well. Please view the following links to see what your township/electrical company offers and how to compost at home.
- Recycling Program: South Plainfield
- Recycling Collection (edisonnj.org)
- Recycling & Solid Waste Management | Somerset County
- Energy Star Rebates for Home Appliances & Products - PSE&G (pseg.com)
- Composting at Home (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Construction materials, dirt, concrete, paint, oil, and demo projects are not acceptable bulk items. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section on our Residential page for more information: Residential Disposals | Trash Pickup | South Plainfield, NJ (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
If you are interested in a different residential service package than you have now, please give reach our to us at 908-561-8231 or email us at pintobros.llc@gmail.com We are also running a residential referral program for our current customers. Refer us to your neighbors, family, friends, co-workers and upon them becoming a new residential customer to Pinto Brothers, we will give you 1 Free month of service.
Thank you so much for your time. We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home. From our family to yours, we hope you have a pleasant and relaxing Fourth of July.
Stay safe and have a nice day.
Pinto Brothers Disposal
Holiday Collection Schedule for Memorial Day
We hope this message finds you well. This post is a reminder of our Holiday schedule as Memorial Day approaches on Monday, May 29, 2023.
- Monday (May 29th): Operations closed in observance of Memorial Day. There will be no residential collection for customer's collected on that Monday.
- Tuesday (May 30th):
Normal Tuesday Residential Collection schedule.
- Note residents in the following communities: Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Rolling Hills at Maple Run, and the Barons at Basking Ridge please view information below for your make-up day collection schedule.
- Wednesday (May 31st): Normal Collection Schedule
- Thursday (June 1st): Double Day/Make-up collection for all Monday residential customers due to the Holiday on Monday, May 29th.
- Friday (June 2nd): Normal collection schedule
Operations at Pinto Brothers Disposal will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023.
Residential customers that normally have collection performed on Mondays, there will be no collection due to the holiday. Thursday, June 1st, will be the next collection day for all 1x and 2x per week residential customers. Please make sure for Thursday, June 1st, collection your trash is out the night before on Thursday morning.
Any extra bagged solid waste you have out for collection on Thursday, the drivers will make sure to clean up. No bulk collection will be scheduled for collection on this day.
Please note due to the double day on Thursday, June 1st, your collection time will be different that normal, please be patient as the drivers go through the routes.
Attention residential customers in the following communities: Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Rolling Hills at Maple Run, and the Barons at Basking Ridge please note due to the Holiday on Monday, May 29th, your make-up collection day will be on Tuesday, May 30th. Please make sure to have your solid waste out the night before for Tuesday collection.
Residential customers that have collection on Tuesday/Friday or Tuesday’s only you will be on a normal collection schedule for the Memorial Day collection week.
Please remember a few general guidelines on normal collection:
- Household solid waste should be placed outside the night before to ensure collection.
- Please have all household trash bagged and placed inside of your container.
- Any items outside your container or Bulk collection needs to be scheduled with the office before putting out.
- Recycling collection should be performed by your township. Please visit our Local Township Recycling Page for more information. Link: Local Recycling Information (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Compostable and most electrics items also have their own programs in New Jersey as well. Please view the following links to see what your township/electrical company offers and how to compost at home.
- Recycling Program: South Plainfield
- Recycling Collection (edisonnj.org)
- Recycling & Solid Waste Management | Somerset County
- Energy Star Rebates for Home Appliances & Products - PSE&G (pseg.com)
- Composting at Home (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Construction materials, dirt, concrete, paint, oil, and demo projects are not acceptable bulk items. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section on our Residential page for more information: Residential Disposals | Trash Pickup | South Plainfield, NJ (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
If you are interested in a different residential service package than you have now, please give reach our to us at 908-561-8231 or email us at pintobros.llc@gmail.com We are also running a residential referral program for our current customers. Refer us to your neighbors, family, friends, co-workers and upon them becoming a new residential customer to Pinto Brothers, we will give you 1 Free month of service.
Thank you so much for your time. We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home. From our family to yours, we hope you have a pleasant and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Stay safe and have a nice day.
Pinto Brothers Disposal
Holiday Collection Schedule 2023
- Please note when reviewing our Holiday Collection Schedule for 2023, the information below is only for Holidays our operation is closed.
- If your collection day falls on one of the below Holidays, we will be performing collection on your next scheduled collection day (not the next day).
- If you do not see a certain Holiday Alternate Schedule below, then we will be operating under a normal collection schedule for that Holiday.
- Due to how the calendar falls this year (2023), there are FIVE HOLIDAYS that we will be running on a "Double Day Schedule" for our residential routes. Our operations will be closed on those Holidays.
May 2023: Memorial Day (5-29-2023)
- Operations will be closed due to the Holiday.
- If that is your regular scheduled collection day, Thursday (6-1-2023) will be the make-up collection day (Double Day).
- All 1x per week Monday customers will be collected on this day as well.
- **Please note residents in the Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Maple Run in Basking Ridge, and The Barons at basking Ridge please reach out to Executive Property Management for your recovery schedule.
July 2023: Fourth of July (7-4-2023)
- Operations will be closed due to the Holiday.
- If that is your regular scheduled collection day, Friday (7-7-2023) will be the make-up collection day (Double Day).
- All 1x per week Tuesday customers will be collected on this day as well.
September 2023: Labor Day (9-4-2023)
- Operations will be closed due to the Holiday. I
- f that is your regular scheduled collection day, Thursday (9-7-2023) will be the make-up collection day (Double Day).
- All 1x per week Monday customers will be collected on this day as well.
- **Please note residents in the Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Maple Run in Basking Ridge, and The Barons at basking Ridge please reach out to Executive Property Management for your recovery schedule.
November 2023: Thanksgiving (11-23-2023)
- Operations will be closed due to the Holiday.
- If that is your regular scheduled collection day. Monday (11-27-2023) will be the make-up collection day (Double Day).
- **Please note residents in the Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Maple Run in Basking Ridge, and The Barons at basking Ridge please reach out to Executive Property Management for your recovery schedule.
December 2023 Christmas Day (12-25-2023)
- Operations will be closed due to the Holiday.
- If that is your regular scheduled collection day. Thursday (12-25-2023) will be the make-up collection day (Double Day).
- **Please note residents in the Beau Ridge at Holmdel, Maple Run in Basking Ridge, and The Barons at basking Ridge please reach out to Executive Property Management for your recovery schedule.
If you do not see a certain Holiday Alternate Schedule above, then we will be operating under a normal collection schedule for that Holiday
Holiday Schedule for the Week of Labor Day (9-5-2022 to 9-9-2022)
We hope this message finds you well. This post is a reminder of our Holiday schedule as Labor Day approaches on Monday. September 5th. Pinto Brothers Disposal operations and offices will be closed Monday, September 5, 2022, in observance of Labor Day.
Collection Schedule for 9-5-2022 to 9-9-2022 will be the following:
- Monday (9-5-2022): Closed for Labor Day
- Tuesday (9-6-2022): Normal Tuesday Collection Schedule ***
- Wednesday (9-7-2022): Normal Wednesday Collection Schedule
- Thursday (9-8-2022): Double Day Collection (Make up day for Holiday. 1x per week customers will be collected as well)
- Friday (9-9-2022): Normal Friday Collection Schedule
(***Note to Beau Ridge Community, Maple Run Community, and The Barons Community. You are under a different holiday collection schedule. Please reach out to your community managers for details on Tuesdays collection. )
Please remember a few general guidelines on normal collection:
- Household solid waste should be placed outside the night before to ensure collection.
- Please have all household trash bagged and placed inside of your container.
- Any items outside your container or Bulk collection needs to be scheduled with the office before putting out.
- Recycling collection should be performed by your township. Please visit our Local Township Recycling Page for more information. Link: Local Recycling Information (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Compostable and most electrics items also have their own programs in New Jersey as well. Please view the following links to see what your township/electrical company offers and how to compost at home.
- appears to be an empty link with target http://www.southplainfieldnj.com/spnj/Announcements/Recycling%20Program%20Drop-Off%20and%20Curbside/%C2%A0%20%C2%A0 Recycling Program: South Plainfield
- Recycling Collection (edisonnj.org)
- Recycling & Solid Waste Management | Somerset County
- Energy Star Rebates for Home Appliances & Products - PSE&G (pseg.com)
- Composting at Home (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
- Construction materials, dirt, concrete, paint, oil, and demo projects are not acceptable bulk items. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section on our Residential page for more information: Residential Disposals | Trash Pickup | South Plainfield, NJ (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
Holiday schedule for 2021 is listed on our website at Holiday Collection Schedule 2022 (pintobrothersdisposal.com)
If you are interested in a different residential service package than you have now, please give reach our to us at 908-561-8231 or email us at pintobros.llc@gmail.com We are also running a residential referral program for our current customers. Refer us to your neighbors, family, friends, co-workers and upon them becoming a new residential customer to Pinto Brothers, we will give you 1 Free month of service.
Thank you so much for your time. We appreciate your business and allowing us to service your home. From our family to yours, we hope you have a pleasant and relaxing Labor Day weekend. Stay safe and have a nice day
Pinto Brothers Disposal
A Solution to Furniture Waste
Every year, billions of pounds of furniture material is discarded in landfills across the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , furniture waste has increased from 2.15 billion pounds per year in 1960 to nearly 9.80 billion pounds in 2017 with no signs of slowing down. While a significant portion of used furniture is combusted for energy, EPA research suggests about 80% of unwanted furniture still ends up in landfills. That’s a lot of dumped sofas, tables, chairs, and mattresses!
The good news is that there are many ways to reduce the amount of furniture items that end up in landfills. One of which is by recycling old or unwanted furniture. Whether you are needing to get rid of unused furniture or are looking to purchase new furnishings for your home, recycling furniture is a more sustainable and cost effective option. Read on to learn about the many ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle furniture.
How to Recycle Furniture
Household furniture is made from a variety of different materials including wood, plastic, metals, fabrics and more. Oftentimes, these materials are combined to make household items like sofas, mattresses, and dressers. Items constructed of multiple materials complicate the furniture disposal process and make it more difficult to recycle in a cost-effective manner. While the best option for furniture is to repair or refurbish whenever possible, it is still feasible to recycle some furniture outright.
Household Furniture Recycling Guide
Recycling furniture can get a little complicated, but with enough effort, you can find a way to keep your unwanted furniture from landfills. To recycle furniture, follow these simple steps:
1. Check the furniture for personal items
The first step to recycling furniture is removing all of your personal belongings. This means checking between couch cushions for lost items or emptying desk or dresser drawers.
2. Determine the furniture material
Furniture can sometimes have various material components, but try to determine the base material of your item. For instance, couches and side chairs are often upholstered in leather or cotton. Desks, dressers, table chairs and tables are typically wood or synthetic wood. Outdoor patio furniture tends to be made of plastic or metal.
3. If Your Furniture is Metal
If your furniture item is made of metal, you should contact your local scrap metal recycler or dealing company. You may be able to have your heavy metal item picked up curbside to lessen the hassle. With metal being in high demand, depending on the material of your item, you may even be able to make some money by recycling your metal furniture.
4. For All Other Types of Furniture
If your furniture is made of wood, plastic, upholstery or any other type of material, you should contact local second hand stores or bring it to a recycling location. If you are looking to make some money off of your unwanted furniture, you could also try to sell the item in a garage sale or on a website like letgo. For more information on how to recycle or dispose of furniture in an environmentally friendly way, visit this helpful furniture recycling guide and FAQ.
5. If All Else Fails
You should contact your city government and ask about bulk waste pickup or drop off. Some towns have recycling convenience centers that may take bulky waste. If you are undertaking a home cleanout project and need to dispose of or recycle a number of furniture items, you may need to rent a dumpster
Furniture Donation
Another great way to keep unwanted furniture out of landfills is to give these items away. You can donate various furniture pieces to charitable organizations in need. Habitat for Humanity ReStores take gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and more. ReStores are locally operated by Habitat for Humanity and sell donated home goods to the public at a fraction of the cost. By making a furniture donation, you support the betterment of your community environment and allow those in need to properly furnish their homes on a budget. For more information about furniture donation pickups and for a list of preferred donation items, visit Habitat for Humanity ReStores FAQ.
The Salvation Army , Goodwill , and the National Furniture Bank Association Of America (FBANA) are other charitable organizations that are looking for furniture and home goods donations. Remember that you may be able to receive tax deductions for donating household items in good condition. Ask the organization for a donation receipt and at the end of the year, if you itemize deductions on your taxes, you can claim a tax deduction for your furniture donation.
Upcycled Furniture
Yet another way to keep outdated furniture out of your local landfill is simply to repair or update the item. Not only will this save you some cash, but it can be a fun project as well! Repairing furniture can be a great way to level up your skills. If your furniture is still in good condition, but is looking a little outdated, there are many ways to upgrade or re-purpose furniture. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:
- Reupholster old seat cushions with fresh fabric or give new life to worn sofas with couch covers
- Update wooden furniture like desks, tables, and dining chairs with a fresh stain or coat of paint
- Re-purpose furniture in creative ways, like using old dresser drawers as storage bins or garden planters
- Switch out door handles or cabinet knobs with new hardware for an updated look
For some more tips on how to upcycle your outdated furniture, check out this upcycling guide for beginners.
Where to Buy Sustainable Furniture
If you would rather purchase a piece of upcycled furniture, there are plenty of ways to do so. You can support small business owners by shopping online for handmade upcycled furniture on Etsy or by visiting local second hand stores or antique shops in your area.
You can still be sustainable when updating your home interior without having to spend the time or money updating older pieces or purchasing used items. You can get the look of new furniture and still support the environment by buying items made from recycled materials. New technologies make it possible for recycled plastic, wood, and metal to look and perform the same as brand new.
If you are looking to buy outdoor furniture items, consider purchasing from a company like POLYWOOD Furniture that makes new deck, patio, and garden furniture from recycled plastics that would have otherwise ended up in landfills or the ocean. Your purchases support recycling efforts and you still get a beautiful new piece of furniture that will last years. With advances in recycling technology, material made from recycled plastics can be extremely durable in all climates and seasons.
Another way to decorate your home interior with environmentally-friendly furnishings is by buying new furniture made from reclaimed wood. Many companies have begun using reclaimed wood for furniture not only because it is sustainable, but it is also very beautiful. For example, Woodland Creek Furniture uses reclaimed wood from old barn siding to make modern furniture with customization options. Furniture made from reclaimed wood is a great way to support sustainability efforts and it is also highly unique. No two pieces of reclaimed wood furniture are the same, and the history behind the piece will make a special addition to your home.
Before deciding to purchase a brand new piece of furniture for your home, consider doing a quick google search for new items made from old or recycled materials. This way, you can get the updated look that you were going for while still supporting environmentally friendly companies. Of course, you will also receive the added benefit of adding a piece of furniture with a special backstory to your home.
Avoid Fast Furniture
It used to be the case that furniture was built to last and be passed down for generations. In recent years, this type of long-lasting furniture has been overshadowed by what is sometimes called “fast furniture,” or otherwise mass-produced, low quality furniture items. Fast furniture is cheap because it is designed to be disposed of when broken, out of style, or simply when it is too inconvenient to bring along to a new home.
Most fast furniture is made from short-lived materials such as particle boards covered with veneer or laminate. Not only that, but particle boards sometimes contain toxins like formaldehyde or chemical dyes. The plastic coatings and chemical resins that bind the wood pieces and particles together also eliminate opportunities for the material to be recycled.
When damaged, the surface can’t be sanded and re-stained like solid wood and the particle boards warp when exposed to damp climates. This is why fast furniture tends to only last a few years at best. While it may seem like a good idea to spend less money when buying this type of furniture, consider the fact that it will only last a few years in your home before it will have to be discarded (likely in a landfill) and you will need to spend more money replacing the item.
When buying fast furniture, you are also buying a piece that is nothing special. After all, thousands of other people have the exact same item as you in their homes. Instead of buying and re-buying short-lived, mass produced, and low quality fast furniture, it might save you money in the long run when you buy a well-made piece of furniture that will last decades. You can find sturdy furniture pieces at antique stores or second-hand shops, and while you may need to do some DIY furniture updating, in the end you will have a much more sustainable and long-lived home furnishing.
The Benefits of Repurposed Furniture
Whether you are recycling furniture, upcycling old furniture, or buying furniture made from recycled materials, you are making the sustainable choice by reducing the amount of furniture waste in landfills. Repurposed furniture has many benefits beyond just being a sustainable alternative to throwing out used furniture or adding to the problem when buying even more furniture from companies with unsustainable business models. It’s also a cost effective way to update your home interior with special custom pieces. Antique or upcycled furniture is a great way to bring an element of history into any home, and new items made from recycled or reclaimed materials have a unique blend of the modern look and a great backstory.
When you are undergoing your next home renovation or interior update, consider recycling, donating, or updating your used furniture instead of throwing it out and contributing to the billions of pounds of furniture waste produced and dumped in landfills every year.
