Updated July 11, 2022
Setting your old carpet at the end of your driveway or throwing it away in your dumpster rental could get you fined in certain areas.
In order to avoid any fines or additional fees, it's important to do your research when disposing of items and materials that aren't typical for your weekly trash pick-up service.
Hometown is here to help make sure when you need to get rid of old carpeting, you do so in a proper and legal manner.
Proper ways to dispose of carpeting:
Find dumpster rental in your area
City Recycling Program
Many cities or municipal trash services offer bulk item pick-ups for large rolls of carpet or rugs, mattress, couches, other furniture, and more.
Because so much carpet and other textiles end up in landfills every year, most cities either offer a carpet pick-up recycling program themselves or have someone local that they recommend.
Most types of carpet are recyclable, and depending on the fibers used and chemical makeup of your specific carpeting, it can be recycled and reused to make new carpet and other construction material.
Not all cities allow curbside carpet pick-up, so make sure to research in your specific area before just setting your roll of carpet at the end of your driveway.
Some areas will require that you haul the carpet to the recycling facility yourself, while others will come to your location to pick up your unwanted carpet for a small fee.
Some programs only offer these types of pick-ups on certain days each month, while others will come as needed as long as you make the proper arrangements, pay ahead of time, and display the proper "tag" on your bulk item that needs to be picked up.
To find a carpet recycling service in your area, use the carpet reclamation map found at Carpet America Recovery Effort.
Continue reading:
- The Best Way to Get Rid of Old Carpeting
- Disposal Options for Flooring Removal Projects
- Benefits of Recycling Junk vs Throwing It Away
List as a Free Item
One of the easiest ways to get rid of old carpet is to list it as a free item online on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Not only is this method free, but it also gives you the option of having someone else come haul away your carpet without you having to load it and haul it yourself.
Make sure to post several photos as well as a detailed description when creating your online listing to give yourself the highest chance of finding the right "buyer" for your unwanted carpet.
This typically only works if your carpet is still in tact. If your carpet is severely soiled or cut up into small pieces, this likely won't be a solution for your carpet.
Rent a Dumpster
Renting a dumpster to dispose of old carpet is usually only cost-effective if you have many other things to dispose of as well.
If you're cleaning out your house and have 7 cubic yards or more of material to throw away, renting a dumpster is a great carpet disposal option.
Before renting a dumpster, it's important to confirm whether or not carpeting is accepted by the company you intent on renting from so that you aren't hit with any additional fines or fees once you receive your final bill.
Dumpster rentals come in a variety of sizes to accommodate cleanup projects of all sizes, with the most popular sizes ranging from 10 yard to 40 yard containers.
Most dumpster rentals last 5-7 days, making it especially convenient for projects that are ongoing or require a flexible schedule.
If you're interested in the convenience of having a dumpster on your property to accommodate your disposal needs but are worried about not having enough to throw away to make it cost-effective, speak with your neighbors and see if any of them would be interested in going in on a dumpster rental with you.
You'd be surprised how quickly a dumpster can be filled once you start cleaning out your home, garage, and basement.
When it comes to renting a dumpster, we recommend renting from a locally-owned dumpster company, as their pricing tends to be cheaper than their larger competitors and their customer service tends to be better as well.
Hometown makes it easy to find and request free quotes from different local dumpster companies that service your area.
We recommend getting at least 2-3 different dumpster rental quotes so that you can find the best service for the best price.
Keep reading:
- How to Determine Which Dumpster Rental Quote Is Best
- Waste Management's Dumpster Rental Prices Are Costly Compared to Local Haulers
- What Is a Fair Price for Dumpster Rental in My Area?
Hire a Junk Removal Service
If you only have carpet to get rid of and it's not in a condition to be donated or given away for free, hiring a junk removal company is an extremely fast and convenient way to have your old carpeting hauled away.
Junk removal crews work quickly to load their truck or trailer with your unwanted belongings and will haul them away to a local recycling facility or landfill.
Prices will vary from one junk removal company to the next, but many will charge their minimum fee (or close to it) for carpet pick-ups.
Most junk removal minimum fees range anywhere from $50-$150 or more, depending on the cost of living in your area.
Similarly to dumpster rental, Hometown can help you find junk removal companies that service your area.
We also recommend getting at least 2-3 different carpet pick-up quotes from different companies near you to ensure you get the best price and customer service.
Getting junk removal estimates and dumpster rental quotes is always free on Hometown's website.
You can also read more about each company and read real reviews from others who have hired their services to help you make the most informed decision when deciding who to hire for your carpet removal.
Find a junk removal service near you
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