How to Dispose of Carpet the Right Way

Rabekah Henderson

Sat, September 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM UTC

4 min read

Old carpet can be disposed of by throwing it away in small amounts, recycling it, or reusing it in various ways.
To dispose of a small amount of carpet, cut it into strips and place it in a trash bag, but avoid leaving large amounts of carpet next to your trash can.
Other methods of disposing of carpet include using a carpet recycling service, hiring a junk removal service, donating excess new carpet, paying professionals to remove it, or reusing it elsewhere in the home.

Old carpet can seem like quite the beast to get rid of, thanks to its bulky shape and heavy weight. But it can be disposed of in a number of ways—small amounts can go in your trash can, while larger amounts of old carpet can be recycled or even reused. Here's how to dispose of carpet the right way.

Throw It Away

If you're looking to get rid of a small amount of carpet from a tiny hallway or a few stairs , you can simply place it in your trash bins. Cut up the carpet into strips so that it will fit in a trash bag, place it in the trash bag, then bring it out to the trash can.

However, do not leave large amounts of carpet spilling out of or next to your trash can—not only will this make more work for the sanitary worker picking up your trash, but it's also probably not allowed either. To get rid of large amounts of carpet, use one of the other suggested methods.

Use a Carpet Recycling Service

There's a good chance your town or municipality can recycle or dispose of your carpet, but it will take some legwork on your end. To get started, Google "[Your town] carpet recycling" to find out if your city offers carpet recycling. You may need to bring the carpet to a recycling center or schedule a pickup from your house.

If your town doesn't support carpet recycling, look for a private service that will pick up and recycle your carpet.

Hire a Junk Removal Service

A junk removal service is a great way to get rid of lots of old carpet, especially when it's being disposed of alongside other home renovation waste like drywall or scrap wood. Junk removal services will often pick up your bulk waste, like carpet, then dispose of it for a fee. They can also leave a dumpster behind at your house for you to fill with debris, and they will pick it up once it's full.

Donate Excess New Carpet

If you're installing new carpet and have some leftover, you're in luck—you may be able to donate it. Unfortunately, many thrift stores and donation centers won't take used or old carpet due to sanitation concerns. However, some home supply thrift stores, like Habitat for Humanity ReStores, may take excess new carpet. You'll need to contact them to find out, and the excess carpet will either be picked up by them or dropped off by you.

Pay Professionals

If you're in the middle of a major home renovation, getting rid of old carpet may be one task too many. So, rather than trying to tear up the old carpet and wrangle your local recycling service or junk removal company, hire professionals to cover the whole thing. Local carpet installers will sometimes tear up and dispose of your old carpet, especially if they're installing new carpet for you.

You can also seek out a handyman or two to rip up your old carpet and get rid of it. To find one, try posting an ad on Craigslist or Nextdoor, or reach out to neighbors to find a trusted serviceperson.

Use Excess Carpet Elsewhere in the Home

Carpet doesn't have to be thrown away—it can be reused around the home too. There are a number of ways you can upcycle small amounts of old carpet. If you have a cat, staple some carpet onto wooden posts or poles to make a DIY cat tree. Or, cut it up into smaller pieces to use as coasters or as floor protectors for your furniture legs.

Use larger pieces of carpets as entryway rugs to keep dirt out of the rest of your home. You can even cut it into small circles to place between pots and pans to keep them from scratching and clanging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you cut carpet for disposal?

To make sure your carpet can be easily disposed, cut it into long strips about two to three feet wide as you pull it out. This will ensure they're an easy-to-work-with size once you roll them up to dispose of them.

Should carpet be recycled?

If your municipality offers a carpet recycling service (or there's a private service locally that recycles), carpet should definitely be recycled. If it's left in the landfill, carpet will not decompose.

Does carpet decompose in landfill?

Unfortunately, carpet does not decompose in the landfill. That's why you should try to recycle your carpet if you can, where it can be professionally broken down and reused in other ways.

Read the original article on The Spruce .