Now that the weather is turning brisk, you may not be spending as much time out on the patio. As you’re cleaning up the area and storing furniture for winter, consider the condition of those outdoor tables and chairs. If they’re not getting clean or are more worn than comfortable, it could be time to get rid of them. But before you toss it in the trash, think about your other options. Learn how you can donate and recycle patio furniture to keep it out of the local landfill.

Eco-Friendly Furniture Disposal

When it comes time to get rid of your old patio furniture, you have several option. Since large items like tables and chairs take up a lot of room in landfills, it’s best to consider methods that are more environmentally friendly. Of course, the best option depends on the condition of the pieces.

• Old. Pieces that are in relatively good condition but have simply outgrown your taste in decor can be resold or donated.
• Dirty. Stained cushions or weathered pieces can be cleaned, repaired, repainted, or reupholstered and given new life.
• Broken. If your outdoor furniture is beyond repair, think about if any piece can be repurposed somewhere else in your garden or recycled.
• Material. Plain wood, plastic, and metal are all recyclable. If your furniture has any of these elements, think about taking it apart for proper recycling.

While some of these alternative options may take a little more work, it’s worth considering giving a new purpose to save it from a mountain of trash.

Upcycling Old Furniture

One way to recycle old furniture is to find a new use for it. It may require taking apart the pieces to create something else, but if you’re already considering a garden project it could give your the right outdoor-safe materials. With creative vision and planning, the repurposing possibilities are endless.

Donating Outdoor Furniture

If your furniture is still in good condition, donating it is a win-win situation. You get rid of something you no longer need and someone else gets to enjoy if for years to come. Whether you give it away to family, friends, or a local donation center, you still do your part to keep your furniture out of landfill.

Recycle Patio Furniture

While you may not be able to drop an entire piece of furniture at a recycling center, certain components could be worth removing. Aluminum and steel—most likely make up the framework of your outdoor furniture—are commonly recycled. Not all plastic is recyclable, but HDPE is, and it’s a common plastic used in outdoor furniture. Rattan, foam cushioning, and untreated wood is also recyclable. It’s always a good idea to check with your local recycling center to make sure they accept the type of material you’re trying to part with. Of course, each material will need be separated if you want to drop it off yourself.

Contacting JDog Junk Removal & Hauling for Furniture Pick-up

If you’d rather skip the upcycling, donation drop-off, and recycling disassembly, there’s still an easy way to dispose of old patio furniture responsibly. Call 844-GET-JDOG. Talk to a local JDog franchise that would be more than happy to come collect your worn out wood, wicker, or PVC patio set. Not only do we take the task off your to-do list, but we reuse, recycle, resell, and repurpose your items whenever possible. It’s part of our mission to keep 60-80% of the items we haul out of local landfills.

Once your patio set is gone, it’s one less thing to clean and store for the winter. You have all season to dream about what to replace it with next year. For now, enjoy the freedom and feeling that you’ve done your part for the environment by finding a new purpose for patio furniture.