What to Do with Old Furniture in NYC?

Share this post:

8 minutes of reading

Quick Take

  1. Bulk Pickup: Contact DSNY to schedule bulk pickup and follow their guidelines.
  2. Junk Removal: Use Oz Moving’s full-service junk removal for hassle-free removal of unwanted items or furniture. Our eco-friendly disposal process means we send less to the landfill.
  3. Donate: Contact Goodwill and the Salvation Army or a local nonprofit like Housing Works.
  4. Sell: List on AptDeco, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist, or have a yard sale.
  5. Reuse: Get creative and turn old furniture into new pieces. You can also recycle parts at local recycling centers or retailers with recycling programs.
  6. Follow NYC Rules: Follow NYC’s rules to avoid fines, especially for mattresses and bedbug-infested items. Always check NYC.gov for specific rules and to stay up to date on legal ways to dispose of items.

You might wonder what to do with those old or unwanted furniture pieces, whether moving, downsizing, upgrading, or just clearing out clutter. And in New York City, removing furniture can be more complex than it seems. The city has specific rules and regulations you need to follow.

For example, large items like sofas and mattresses must be scheduled for bulk pickup and sometimes require special preparation, such as sealing mattresses in plastic bags. Plus, there are strict recycling guidelines and donation policies to consider.

But don’t worry; with our experience and knowledge of NYC’s disposal rules, we’ll help you navigate these complexities smoothly. Let’s discuss some ways to safely, legally, and permanently dispose of large items and unwanted furniture in NYC.

For people living in rural areas, furniture removal is as easy as dumping bulk items like box springs, tables, etc., in a local landfill rated for legal furniture disposal. In NYC, however, this is a challenging thing to do in any of its boroughs. New York only has a little space; it’s not a rural setting. Outside of Central Park, everything’s concrete and steel.

Renting a Dumpster or Scheduling Bulk Item Pickup

In NYC, getting rid of large items like sofas, dressers, or tables requires some planning. You’ll need to schedule a pickup with the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) beforehand. This ensures your furniture is disposed of properly and doesn’t clutter the streets.

Many buildings offer options such as access to a legal DSNY dumpster. However, using a dumpster is more complex than just dumping your items. You must properly wrap mattresses and box springs to prevent the spread of viruses, bacteria, and bed bugs. Additionally, you should act fast, as dumpsters can fill up fast as collection day approaches, leaving no room for your items.

Opting for a Junk Removal Service

Another option is using junk removal services. These services will come to your apartment and remove large items like box springs and old air conditioners. Oz Moving’s junk removal service is a great choice. Alternatively, you can ask the company you bought your new furniture if they can dispose of your old items. Some companies offer this service.

Always follow NYC’s laws against illegal dumping regardless of your chosen method. Check out the “How to Get Rid of” resource on the NYC.gov website.

Disposing of Special Items

  • Mattress Disposal: There are specific rules for disposing of mattresses. To prevent bedbugs from spreading, seal all mattresses and box springs in a plastic bag before disposal. You can find these bags at most hardware stores and online. If you don’t follow this rule, the city can fine you. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.
  • Bed Bugs: You must let others know if your furniture has bugs. Put a sign on the item when you take it to the trash area. This helps prevent others from taking it and spreading the infestation. We’ve seen firsthand how necessary these steps are in keeping NYC clean and safe.

Eco-friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Furniture

Here are some eco-friendly ways to remove furniture, briefly touched on in a bullet point list.

  • Give away your furniture to friends and family.
  • Sell your furniture off.
  • Donate your furniture to places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army.
  • Hire an eco-friendly junk removal service.
  • Find a legally rated landfill.
  • Repurpose your old furniture to become new furniture.

Need a Junk Removal service in NYC? Reach out to us today to get a free quote!

Donating Your Excess and Unwanted Furniture

Tens of thousands of people in NYC can barely afford to live. They need furniture, but they cannot afford it. If you have excess furniture that needs disposal, you can help via furniture donation.

Of course, this only works by going door to door and just dropping furniture off. You might know someone who can use a window unit, air conditioner, or box spring, but it’s best to visit different donation places if you need to get rid of a lot of furniture.

We’ll run through a quick list below so you know how to donate your items. You can even write some donations off in your taxes and get a deduction.

Where to Donate Furniture in NYC

Here are different places that accept furniture donations and methods for donating furniture in New York City.

  • One of dozens of different Salvation Army locations
  • Goodwill and other area thrift stores/donation centers
  • List on Craigslist, free for pick up
  • Tell people about unwanted furniture; word of mouth gets around
  • Take to Hour Children in Queens and other similar locations
  • NY-based nonprofit locations like Housing Works

Selling Your Furniture

It’s a shame to pay so much for something just to dispose of it. We all feel this sting, especially about economic restrictions and inflation. So, why not sell off that furniture instead?

Generally speaking, furniture isn’t an appreciable item, so you won’t get back what you put into it. But some extra cash can help you hire moving companies, buy new furniture, etc.

Here are a few options to help.

  • Stop by a website like AptDeco, designed to help you sell off furniture. To that end, you can find other sites like Letgo, OfferUp, and Chairish to help you sell.
  • Facebook is still the king of social media sites, and its marketplace is ideal for listing your furniture items for sale. You can also find and join groups there for numerous reasons, such as Buying and Selling Anything NYC.
  • Craigslist is still a favorite for many people.
  • Hold a yard or garage sale if you have property space and lots of furniture to get rid of.

For any of these methods, you want to take clear, vivid photos of the furniture and write accurate, honest descriptions of what you’re selling. Keep it short and sweet. Also, ensure that the secondhand furniture you’re selling isn’t damaged significantly, and be clear if you’re selling upholstered furniture.

When you’re all set to move, consider contacting us to help you move individual pieces of furniture.

Reusing and Repurposing Your Furniture

Another great way to get rid of furniture is to reuse it simply. Unwanted and used furniture can become fantastic when you transform old cabinets into a kitchen island or an old set of end tables into an entertainment stand.

There are tons of different housing works websites you can visit for tips and tricks on repairing and reusing your existing furniture by transforming it into something brand new. Turning your old furniture, especially wooden furniture, into new pieces is also fun you can do with your kids.

Even after you recycle furniture, you might still have to throw out a lot of scraps. If the furniture has recyclable components, consider handing them to your nearby recycling center or scrap dealer. Also, check out an updated sanitation site to find out what to do with them.

Finally, contact local junk removal companies if you have furniture that you can’t salvage. Some of them can even do free furniture removal and pickup.

Can You Leave Unwanted Furniture on the Streets of NYC?

Whether you can simply leave items on the sides of streets in New York, remember that the city isn’t a landfill. Nor is it some rural area that’s spread out. Leaving furniture out in front of your NYC apartment is leaving it in front of other people’s apartments. They live there, too. The sidewalk isn’t a dumpster for your personal needs.

If you go to the NYC.gov website, the “Official Website of the City of New York,” you can read about “Bulk Item Disposal.” To surmise what this site says, you’d be much better off calling some movers or an eco-friendly junk removal company. Items too large for a trash bin need to be disposed of differently, typically by setting up an appointment with local garbage pickup services or taking your items to a predetermined location before collection day.

You can put up to 10 bulk items out every collection day, but these items cannot be mattresses, box springs, electronics, or construction materials. The city wants them to be recyclable. You need to leave most of them in proper plastic bags. Please refer to the website for specifics.

Are There Rules for Getting Rid of Furniture in NYC?

There are certainly rules and regulations you must contend with here, and many have just started new or been dusted off and put back into circulation. So, before you do anything, make sure you visit NYC.gov to ensure that you’re doing things legally. The last thing you want is a hefty fine when trying to remove old furniture.


Moving soon? Get your free quote from Oz Moving & Storage.

Recent Moving Tips

Moving Tips & Advice

Moving into a new home should feel like a fresh start. That’s why we recommend a thorough cleaning before bringing in your belongings. In New York’s fast-paced environment, taking time to create

Are you dreaming of a fresh start in a new state? Then you might need access to a cross-country moving company. Cross-country moves are exciting. But they also come with its fair

After overseeing thousands of moves throughout my career, we can tell you that move-out cleaning is often the most overlooked part of moving. We’ve seen countless clients lose portions of their security

About The Author:

Picture of Nancy Zafrani | General Manager

Nancy Zafrani | General Manager

Nancy Zafrani is the experienced General Manager of Oz Moving & Storage, with 30 years in the industry and a lifetime of knowledge as a New Yorker. She helped grow the company from 3 employees to 200 with 50 trucks and locations across the US. Her experience and organizational skills have led to over 500.000 successful moves. She is proud to lead a company that provides the best possible moving experience

Get a free quote now!

Scroll to Top