Where To Dispose Of Old Office Furniture?

Knowing what to do with your old office furniture when it’s broken, or you’ve replaced it with newer models, can be difficult. It is also a decision you need to make pretty quickly to save the unwanted items taking up precious space and potentially causing a health and safety violation. We’ve put together a handy guide on where to dispose of old office furniture. 

Every commercial building needs to have a revamp every now and again. New desks and chairs for your employees, fridges for the staff room, bigger filing cabinets and more. But the question is, what do you do with your old furniture after having this update? 

Don’t make the mistake of moving forward with the redecorating of your office without planning what to do with the unwanted furniture. This is especially important because you’ll be left with a lot of old tables to try to find space for when your new ones arrive. You could be left with furniture clogging up your storage areas or corridors whilst you search for a disposal method. 

If your old office furniture is damaged and not fit for donation or reselling, then finding the right place to dispose of it is important. Most types of office furniture are classed as general waste so it is possible to take them to the tip, but this is often only achievable if you’re getting rid of one or two pieces of furniture. 

At most tips in the UK, it is prohibited for building or commercial waste to be disposed of at the site. For this reason, the use of vans is usually banned and if you’re looking to get rid of a large amount of furniture, you’ll need a vehicle that can handle the weight of the items as well as the room to fit them all in. Therefore, if you’re looking to get rid of a large amount of office furniture, you’ll have to go down a different route…

If your office furniture still has some life left in it, you may want to consider selling it to other businesses in need – such as start-ups who are on a budget. The item gets reused and you’re even able to make some money on it, it’s a win-win!

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to selling sites as you can choose from eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Gumtree, which are free to list items on. 

• Take photos with good lighting and the whole item in the frame
• Make sure the furniture has recently been cleaned
• Take up-close pictures of any marks and scuffs, also detailing these in the description
• Specify whether the furniture will be whole when the buyer arrives, or if you’ll dismantle it for them
• Don’t get too high on your pricing but don’t go too low either, be prepared to haggle! 
• Make it obvious that these items are for collection only, sorting out delivery details will be too much of a hassle 
• Consider selling the furniture in bulk as well as individuals, you’ll have a different customer base for each option

If your old furniture is still in good condition, a great way to get rid of it is to donate it to charity. Charities will ask you if the item is sellable, without any major damage or wear and tear, and all upholstered items must have the original fire label securely attached. 

Here are a few charities that accept donations of furniture, with some even offering a collection service: 

• The British Heart Foundation 
• Emmaus
• Sue Ryder

Bear in mind that if you have a number of the same specific type of furniture, most charity shops will not be able to accept them all. This is because they do not have the space to store the items whilst they are trying to sell them. 

If your old office furniture is either broken or not suitable for donation or selling, there are still other disposal methods to explore. To find out whether your council offers furniture removal in your area, check the Gov.uk website or contact your council.

They should be able to provide you with details on whether there is a commercial disposal centre nearby or if they operate a collection service that will help you rid of the unwanted furniture.

Perhaps the easiest way to remove all unwanted furniture from your office is to hire a professional waste clearance team. This way, you can simply point them in the right direction and they’ll take care of the rest. You won’t have to worry about obtaining the necessary licenses or permits or trying to dispose of the furniture yourself. 

It may be easier and cheaper to book our office furniture removal service to take care of your old, broken or unwanted furniture. As furniture disposal experts, we are available to help you and your business in London. That’s why we are said to be the best rubbish removal company in the capital.

Get in touch today to find out how we can support you and your business, and receive a free, no-obligation quote.