How can I reuse or recycle LOTS of old furniture?
I’ve had another email from Sally Harrop:
We have a large amount of student furniture (beds, desks, lamps, chairs etc) to dispose of – 250 rooms worth. Can anyone suggest anywhere this may be usable?
Sally is based in Bradford and since I’m down the road in Leeds, I’ve already suggested a few local furniture charities to her: CHASBradford, Emmaus Leeds, and Poverty Aid. I know there are other smaller ones too but these seem to be three of the biggest furniture charities in the West Yorkshire area, so are probably more likely to be able to handle this large amount of furniture.
University accommodation departments and hotels around the country, indeed around the world, must find themselves in this position quite a lot. The obvious answer is for them to keep using the furniture until the end of its life but that’s not always realistic in these situations for one reason or another. So feel free to suggest any links to furniture reusing/recycling charities – especially ones that can handle large amounts of stock in one go – and say what geographical area they cover, in case anyone else in Sally’s position needs some inspiration.
(Photo by moria)
what about posting notices (on Freecycle, Craigslist etc) that the furniture is free to anyone who can come pick it up within a certain time window?
Assuming you’re associated with a university, publicizing this to the university’s population might also draw a lot of people too for an event like that.
Another thing that the University of Toronto has is a “swap shop”, which is open particular hours each week for people to take (for free) discarded furniture from around the university. However, it wouldn’t be able to handle those kinds of volumes…
you can always donate it to local Domestic Violence shelters. there are always women who are restarting on their own who need furniture for themselves and children. and in most cases they’ll even pick it up!
I have a few pieces of furniture that I’d like to give to Domestic violence shelters but I cant seem to find any!
If there a specific way to search for them online or a directory. I’ve tried to contact some homeless charities but they just all seem to want clothes, not furniture
Phone your local social services offices – they’ll be under ‘Local Government’ or ‘Council’ in the phone book. While you’re talking to them, ask if they know of other groups that might take your stuff.
Also, see if you have a local alliance of worship groups. In my area, several different denominations have banded together to provide an all-volunteer service to pick up old furniture and deliver it to appropriate charities.
Thanks that’s really helpful!
I work in a University housing office too. Our university has big surplus sales every two weeks. All kinds of leftover furniture and equipment goes into the surplus sales. The students are always happy to get a deal (and students living off-campus always have a hard time getting furniture…)
The idea to donate it to local shelters is a good one and I imagine there are lots of families who could use a decent student desk!
WRT domestic violence shelters, they don’t release details of where they are, because the abusers could easily find their partners.
It’s a long shot, but it might be worth phoning your local police station, and asking them to pass your details on to the shelter.
you can ring up housing associations and ask them if they have DV shelters and residents that need funiture they could probably send a letter or do a quick poster for distribution
I work for the YMCA charity in the Darlington area – and we are always on the lookout for donations of decent quality furniture – anyone who has items to donate, no matter what quantity-please call us 01325 381587
If you still need furniture please respond. I have apt needs to be cleared by Oct 30th
Elizabeth
would you like to donate to a non-profit documentary news service . they are looking for some furniture to furnish an aptt. and 6 similar bookcases.
If you are so inclined please respond asap.
I have some almost new furniture and can send photos if you are interested.
Need to move it by Monday Oct 30.
Elizabeth
I have a dining room set with 6 chairs we would like to give away for free. We live in the Rockville Maryland area please contact us at (301)881-9393.
WE ARE A NEWLY DEVELOPED CHARITY THAT PROVIDES HOMES AND NIGHT STAYS FOR THE HOMELESS AND WE CAN RE-USE ANY GOOD CONDITION FURNITURE SO WE CAN MAKE THE HOUSES WE GET FOR THE HOMELESS MORE COMFORTABLE ALSO WE NEED CLOTHING FOR MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND SIZES WE ALSO COULD DO WITH SLEEPING BAGS QUILTS AND BLANKETS, AND, WINTER JACKETS HATS SCARVES AND GLOVES, THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIME IN READING THIS AND CARING ABOUT THE LESS FORTUNATE IN OUR WORLD, I CAN BE CONTACTED ON MICKNPATSY@BLUEYONDER.CO.UK
Rework Office Furniture are a social enterprise based in Leeds that specializes in selling used office furniture. So many businesses clear out their offices every now and again and most of the time they just trash everything. Rework take the furniture off their hands and sell them on to newer homes. It’s a greener way of purchasing quality used and recycled furniture.
I have found business in saving perfectly good office furniture from landfill and reselling it at a much cheaper price than new. Most of the time when large corporations throw furniture out its because of something like a colour scheme change and the furniture is still absolutely fine. A lot gets wasted, buying second hand is always going to be greener and cheaper, so think about it before rushing off to IKEA.
Wooden furniture covered with varnish can be given different style, for example, aged style. To form cracks over the surface, cover it with damp cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. Wait 30 min. or more if needed and varnish will form cracked texture.
If you want your painting look aged, cover it with varnish, let dry and do the same.