How to Get Rid of a Bed Frame the Eco-Friendly Way

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Arabella Ruiz
By 
Arabella Ruiz is a senior researcher at The Roundup, specializing in data and statistics. She lives in San Antonio, Texas and has been interested in the environment from an early age. Arabella loves to campaign for environmental causes and fundraise for charities that aim to preserve wildlife habitat, protect endangered species or help people with climate change problems.
Arabella Ruiz
Updated: March 15, 2024

It's happened to all of us. We get a new piece of eco-friendly furniture and realize that we no longer have space for the old one. So what do you do with it?

If you've bought yourself a new eco bed frame and have been wondering how to get rid of a bed frame without harming the environment, then we have the answers.

Today we'll identify a range of different options for disposing of your bed frame without sending it to a landfill.

Sell It With Kaiyo

Kaiyo website screenshot

If your old bed frame is in good condition and still has some shelf life remaining, you can sell it and make some extra money. The best place to do that is Kaiyo.

Kaiyo is an online marketplace for secondhand furniture. It's trusted by millions and is completely hassle-free compared with selling elsewhere.

If you choose to sell with Kaiyo they will:

  • Pick up the bed frame from your home.
  • Make you a cash offer and even pay you before the item is sold!
  • Inspect it for damage.
  • Clean it.
  • Take professional photos.
  • Store it and list it for sale on their website.
  • Deliver it to its new home.

I've done this myself and I know it works. Other than contacting them, you don't need to lift a finger. They do it all and you can get paid straight away.

Plus you have the peace of mind knowing that your used bed frame will go to a good home and won't end up in landfill.

Sell It Independently

sell used bed frame

If for whatever reason you choose not to use Kaiyo then you can always try to sell your used bed frame yourself.

There are a few things you can do to increase the chances of selling it. First, take some pictures of the bed frame from different angles. Make sure the pictures are well-lit and show any important details, such as any damage or wear and tear.

Next, create a listing on eBay, Craigslist, Gumtree, or your local Facebook marketplace. Include a description of the bed frame, as well as the asking price. It's a good idea to look at similar items that have sold recently and pitch your asking price at a similar level.

Finally, be prepared to negotiate on the price, especially if you're a new seller and don't have any existing feedback or reputation. Many buyers will try to haggle down the price, so knowing your bottom line in advance will help you stay in control of any negotiations and get the best result.

If you have an old mattress that goes with the frame, you can always sell the two as a bundle, providing that is also in good condition. The buyer may ask for a small discount, but it's worth it to get them to take both items off your hands at the same time.

Give It Away

When you're ready to get rid of an old bed frame, there are a few things you can do to make sure it goes to a good home.

First, check with your friends and family to see if anyone is in need of a bed frame. If not, there are often local shelters that would be grateful to receive a gently used bed frame.

I'm also a big fan of freecycle, where you can give away your used stuff to someone who really needs it.

When making the donation, be sure to include any necessary hardware, such as screws or bolts.

Once you've found a new home for your bed frame, simply remove the mattress and box spring and dispose of them according to your local regulations. With a little effort, you can rest easy knowing that your old bed frame will bring comfort to someone in need.

Goodwill and Salvation Army are well-known locations to donate old items, but many people don't realize that thrift shops will take used bed frames.

Goodwill accepts donations of all kinds and sells them in their stores with the proceeds going to support their programs which include employment training and job placement services.

The Salvation Army also accepts donations of all types of items, including bed frames, and uses the proceeds from sales to fund their adult rehabilitation centers which help people struggling with addiction.

So if you don't want to sell it or don't need the money, give your old bed frame new life by donating it to charity.

Dismantle & Reuse It

Dismantling an old bed frame may seem like a daunting task, but it can actually be quite simple.

Bed frames are not the most complex pieces of furniture, and with a few basic tools, you can easily take apart the frame and reuse the raw materials to make new furniture, or for other DIY projects.

For example, the wood from the frame can be used to create a new piece of furniture or a set of shelving, benches, or even a coffee table.

Metal frames can be recycled or used to make a garden chair or table, wall art, sculptures, storage containers, or for any other DIY or craft ideas you might have.

And the fabric cover from your old frame base or headboard can be repurposed into cushions or curtains, or to make any other piece of upholstered furniture.

How to Recycle Your Old Bed Frame

recycling bed frame

Most old bed frames are made of either wood or metal, or sometimes a combination of the two.

In either case, if your frame is not in good enough condition for somebody else to use, you can still recycle the raw materials.

In some cases, the company that you buy a new bed frame from may offer removal services, in which they will remove and recycle your old bed frame for you at the same time, in the same way as they might do with an old mattress.

Check out some of the best eco-friendly bed frame manufacturers to see who offers this service.

If this isn't an option, you can still recycle old bed frames yourself.

Metal Bed Frames

When it comes to recycling metal bed frames, there are a few options available. The most important thing is to make sure that the frame is clean and free of any dirt, dust, or rust.

Once the frame is clean, it can be taken to a local scrap yard or metal recycling center. There, it will be sorted and recycled according to its type of metal. In some cases, it may even be possible to sell the frame for scrap value.

However, if the frame is in good condition, it can also be donated to a local refuge or thrift store. By taking the time to recycle a metal bed frame, you can help to reduce waste and environmental pollution.

Wooden Bed Frames

Recycling wood is big business these days, and chances are you may have lumber yards in your area that deal with reclaimed wood. They will happily recycle your bed frame for you, and some might even pay you for it.

You may need to dismantle the frame first, but that is easily done with basic tools - a screwdriver, claw hammer, and Allen key is usually all you'll need.

Use a Junk Removal Service

If you want to get someone else to do all the heavy lifting then consider using a junk removal service. They can remove your old mattress at the same time.

It will cost you a fee, and you will also need to double-check exactly what the junk removal company is planning to do with your old bed frame.

If they simply throw them in the landfill then that is obviously not what you want and you should not use the company.

However, many junk removal services will actually dismantle the bed frame and sell the raw materials to local businesses or recycling centers that can put them to good use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't I Just Throw My Bed Frame Away?

Many people who are looking to get rid of old furniture are tempted to simply hire a dumpster, or take the items to their local landfill themselves.

I would urge you to only do this as a last resort.

There are a few good reasons to think twice before throwing away your bed frame. For one thing, bed frames are generally very sturdy and well-made, so they can last for years with proper care.

Furthermore, bed frames usually have a lot of metal components that can be recycled.

And finally, if you donate your bed frame to a local charity or thrift store, someone in need will be grateful to have it. So before you toss your bed frame in the dumpster, consider giving it new life by recycling it or donating it to a worthy cause.

What Happens if I Leave My Frame for Curbside Pickup?

Some local authorities may pick up old furniture left at the curbside, but not all trash collectors will pick them up. It all depends on your local disposal regulations.

The first step is to contact your local waste collection service to confirm that they will take a bed frame. If they don't, you should not even consider leaving it on the curb.

If they will pick up your bed frame, you should also confirm what will happen to it. Will they recycle it or just throw it in a landfill. If it's the latter, you should not go ahead unless you genuinely have no other option.

Also, if you live in a community, check whether your local homeowners' association has any regulations regarding what type of items can be left for collection. There may be HOA rules regarding this and you could end up with a fine.

How do I dispose of a wooden bed?

Wood frames are even less of a problem to dispose of than metal. There are many companies now looking to recycle wooden furniture, which is a more environmentally friendly option than using virgin wood.

Ask your local recycling center to see if they will accept your wooden frame. They're also much easier to break down into smaller pieces even if you have to take the frame to the recycling facility yourself.

Also, if your frame is made entirely of wood, it is likely to be compostable. So after removing the screws, bolts and fixtures, you can break up the frame and put it on your home compost heap.

How do I get rid of a heavy bed frame?

If you have a heavy bed frame that you need to dispose of, there are a few things you can do.

First, try dismantling the frame and taking it apart into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to carry and will also reduce the amount of space it takes up.

You can also try selling the frame online or at a local garage sale. Finally, if all else fails, you can always contact a local junk removal service to have the frame removed for you.

With a little effort, you should be able to get rid of your heavy bed frame without too much trouble.

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Arabella Ruiz
Arabella Ruiz
Arabella Ruiz is a senior researcher at The Roundup, specializing in data and statistics. She lives in San Antonio, Texas and has been interested in the environment from an early age. Arabella loves to campaign for environmental causes and fundraise for charities that aim to preserve wildlife habitat, protect endangered species or help people with climate change problems.
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