When Can I Kick My Couch to the Curb? A NYC Survival Guide
So, you've finally decided to part ways with that hideous couch that's been hogging your living room space since the Clinton administration. Good for you! But before you give it the ol' heave-ho, let's talk about the fine art of furniture disposal in the concrete jungle.
What Day Can I Put Out Furniture In Nyc |
The Great NYC Furniture Purge
New York City is a place where dreams are made, and so is trash, apparently. And when it comes to bulky items like sofas, chairs, and dressers, the city has some pretty specific rules.
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The Golden Rule: You generally can't just chuck your furniture out on the sidewalk whenever the mood strikes. No, sirree. There's a method to this madness, and it involves knowing your collection day.
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Decoding Your Collection Day:
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- Non-Recyclable Items: These are things like sofas, wooden furniture, and other oversized, non-recyclable stuff. You can put them out after 4pm the night before your LAST garbage collection day of the week. So, if your garbage is picked up on Wednesday, you can put your junk out on Tuesday night.
- Metal and Rigid Plastic: These items, like old lawn chairs or metal shelving, go out the night before your recycling day.
- Bundled Cardboard and Other Bulk Items: You can put these out anytime between 6pm and midnight the night before your collection day.
Pro Tip: Don't be a jerk. Make sure your furniture is neatly stacked and doesn't block the sidewalk. And for the love of all that is holy, don't put it out early. Your neighbors will hate you.
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Curb Appeal (or Lack Thereof)
Let's face it, your old furniture probably isn't winning any design awards. But before you say goodbye, consider donating it to a charity. There are plenty of organizations that will happily take your unwanted stuff and give it a new home. Bonus points for being a good human.
If donation isn't an option, you could always try to sell it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Hey, one person's trash is another person's treasure, right?
How to Avoid a Furniture Fiasco
- How to find out your collection day: Check the NYC Department of Sanitation website or call 311.
- How to dispose of mattresses: Encase your mattress in a plastic bag to prevent bedbug spread.
- How to dispose of electronics: Many electronics stores offer recycling programs.
- How to dispose of hazardous materials: Don't put paint, chemicals, or other hazardous materials in the regular trash. Check with your local sanitation department for proper disposal.
- How to schedule a bulk item pickup: If you have a lot of furniture to get rid of, you might need to schedule a special pickup. Contact your sanitation department for details.
So there you have it. With a little planning and effort, you can successfully rid yourself of that unwanted furniture without becoming the talk of the neighborhood. Happy purging!
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