According to MDPI, “The results indicate that households in England produce an average of 0.79 kg of garden waste per day or 288 kg per year.” Shocking revelations such as these make you wonder about the most sustainable ways of managing garden waste.

Especially now with lockdown, everybody has turned their attention towards household maintenance and that includes gardening. With spending time in the garden proving to be both a hobby as well as a chore, some activities related to handling the waste is a crucial step many tend to overlook. Along with nurturing the plants, you also have the added responsibility of taking care of the green wastage. 

It is highly recommended not to discard waste into public land or water. Seek advice from your local council to check if there is a centralized waste recycling point. While there are a ton of options available today, it all boils down to the kind of gardener you want to be. Choose to be a sustainable, long-lasting, environmentally responsible, considerate super-gardener!

By the end of this blog, you will have acquired awesome tips on how to essentially reduce, reuse, and recycle your backyard waste. Have you ever had to scratch your head and wonder, “What’s the deal with composting garden waste?” Read further to know more. Consider this your ultimate garden clearance guide!

THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS? SEGREGATE THE WASTE

It is a myth to say that all garden waste is meant to be tossed in the bin. Fortunately, most of the time, green waste can be your friendly future compost. 

Broadly, garden waste is a collection of plant matter from gardening activities, including:

• small twigs
• shrubs
• weeds
• grass cuttings
• hedge trimmings
• leaves
• flowers
• wood chips
• soil

Since all of these materials are eligible for recycling, they fall under the category called “green waste.” So, this is where you draw the line between green waste and other types of materials that are not recyclable. Non-recyclable items include plastic bags, bricks, and ceramic pots. Sorting your stuff is how you end up with two piles of garden waste — “green” and “general.”

GARDEN REUSE AND RECYCLE CENTRE 

Some local councils and authorities provide a home collection scheme for all your garden waste. Alternatively, you can recycle garden waste at your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre. Just do a quick google search on “garden waste recycling centre near me” and you should be able to find a centre closest to your location. You will be provided with a small bin and charged a minimal fee. All your clippings will be taken away and composted on your behalf. However, the end compost will be enjoyed by somebody else.

COMPOSTING GREEN WASTE THROUGH A VICIOUS CYCLE 

If you do not want to see your compost in your garden going to somebody else, then it’s time to explore the option of household composting all by yourself! Whether you have leftover kitchen waste such as vegetable peelings, food waste, or green waste such as leaves and plant materials — keep the compost in the garden and reuse it in order to maintain a nutrient-rich soil for all your future plantations.

Since green waste recycling is an eco-friendly method of managing garden waste, with a small investment in time and energy, you can enjoy a healthy garden or flower bed. Bring a compost bin to your garden, build a compost heap of all the organic green waste (like soft hedge clippings, old bedding plants, weeds, kitchen waste, etc.) and layer alternatively with soil or manure to create a healthy balance between ‘green’ waste and ‘brown’ waste. Cover the compost bin with a lid, leave it out for a considerable amount of time and you’ve got yourself a nutrient-dense and fibrous soil ready to be reused.

Note: As mentioned before, remember to not add general waste into the compost heap. It may mess with the process of composting.

You now have rich organic garden compost, which you can use to condition the soil when preparing new beds or putting in new plants. Recycling green waste by composting in your own home is the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible way to dispose of green waste.

WHAT TO DO WITH GARDEN SHREDDER WASTE?

Handfuls of twigs and leaves can easily be shredded by a garden shredder. Additionally, all this garden shredder waste can be used in composting as well. Mix it with other waste in the compost heap and carry on with the rest of the process as usual.

CAN YOU DISPOSE OF GARDEN WASTE IN A NORMAL BIN?

If you have decided not to compost your garden waste and prefer to do garden waste disposal, ensure you know the type of items to be thrown in the bin. If you’ve ever wondered where to dump grass clippings, plant cuttings, etc., then below are some DO’s and DONT’s when it comes to what goes into the organic waste bins, and what doesn’t:

DO’s:

• Small branches
• Cut flowers
• Leaves
• Grass cuttings
• Wood chippings
• Hedge trimmings
• Plant cuttings
• Weeds

DONT’s:

• Animal waste
• Soil
• Large branches
• Kitchen waste
• Paper
• Card
• Paper cuttings
• Clothing
• Stones
• Plastics

SKIP FOR GARDEN WASTE

If you are busy and need a quick-fix solution, you can opt for a skip. After checking with your local council, call to order a skip because it is a reliable garden rubbish removal method. You can also hire a skip from a waste management dealer.

All you need is to throw your waste into the skip or garden waste bin and then contact the best waste removal company in your locality to come and collect the skip. Try to go for the largest skip possible so the removal of garden waste can be accommodated in one shot. 

CREATIVE RE-USE

Want to put on your artist hat and make use of garden waste in a creative way? You can reuse twigs and branches for household activities such as a barbeque, grilling, or DIY crafts. You can also sell or donate these items to those in need.

Additionally, you can buy garden chippers or shredders to recycle branches into useful materials at home. This is a shortcut to a clean garden and eliminates most waste in a timely manner. 

PROFESSIONAL RUBBISH REMOVAL SERVICE

To make life easier with all types of rubbish (from building waste to plastic to green waste), you can always rely on a professional removal (or garden waste removal) company. Whether you are into DIY home decor, commercial construction, or just a weekend gardener, a rubbish removal company can take care of the totality of your needs. Reduce hassle and increase convenience by calling and booking a slot today!

To sum up, garden waste is an inevitable part of your gardening process — but you have a lot of options. You can check with your local council, order a skip, book with a garden rubbish collection company, or just compost it on your own. Nothing beats enjoying the greenery in a clean, dirt-free garden while sipping on a hot cup of tea!

Wish you could say “So-fa So-good” and dispose of your old sofa? When you bring in a new sofa to your humble abode, you may have to make room for it. This means, if you have an existing old sofa, it is time for you to give a serious thought on how to safely get rid of it so you can celebrate your new one. 

Depending upon your lifestyle, your sofa material choice could range from leather, polyester to linen, velvet, or wool. For example, if you have kids and pets at home, you may have chosen less delicate material. If you are a couple, then you may have gone for something fancier. With any number of family members living under the same roof, the types of sofas could range from ottomans, armchairs, and loveseats to sofa beds. 

While shopping for a new sofa for your home is a therapeutic part of the process, disposing of the old ones through unwanted furniture removal is one step many tend to overlook. Also, while it can be exciting to choose a new style or theme for a room by selecting new interior design pieces from a store, it is equally important to discard the old furniture responsibly. With a few easy, proactive steps, you could avoid overcrowding your house or tossing the sofa outside in your backyard without a plan to get rid of it. 

HOW CAN I DISPOSE OF MY OLD SOFA IN STYLE?

Getting rid of an old sofa is not all that difficult. It does take a little time, though. We will show you how to plan for disposing of yours.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY OLD SOFA REMOVAL THROUGH BULKY ITEM COLLECTION

Proper old sofa disposal is important because it’s illegal to just dump these items in public. Dumping them could bring a fine of up to £5,000. Since most local councils are responsible for collecting old items such as old sofas, refrigerators, etc., you can easily arrange for a special bulky waste collection of large items by visiting the local council website. Prices are affordable, so this is a good budget-friendly cost option. However, the collection time may be days or weeks in the future.

IT IS TIME FOR THE OLD SOFA TO MOVE ON — FROM SOFA ‘REMOVAL’ TO SOFA ‘ADDITION’

Instead of conveniently opting for sofa removal, why not consider helping someone who may really need it? If your old sofa is in good condition, this is another option to explore. Just put up a photo of your old sofas along with affordable prices on an online advertising platform such as Facebook or Gumtree. Someone will probably want them straight away.

TELL ME MORE! ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS TO SOFA RECYCLING?

With our environment being threatened day in and day out with catastrophic human actions, disposing of materials such as sofas must be thought out very carefully. Since thousands of old sofas end up in landfills every year, it goes without saying that rubbish and waste items need to be managed better in an eco-friendly manner. We are not alone in this because there are clearance companies in London that are dedicated to safely disposing or recycling such items. With a chance to be diverted from landfill, furniture removal companies will collect your old sofa. Recycling sofas doesn’t get easier than this!

LONDON FURNITURE COLLECTIONS FOR CHARITY — HOW TO GIVE AWAY FURNITURE FOR FREE?

With charity furniture collection services available in London, this is yet another way by which you could dispose of furniture. Just book a free charitable furniture collection to donate items including sofas, closets, beds, tables, etc. and be assured that your sofa is in safe hands. If you are wondering which charities collect furniture, check out London furniture donation companies such as Sue Ryder, Debra, or the British Heart Foundation.

To further understand the importance of free furniture giveaway in London, Sofasbysaxon (one of the companies that accept sofa donations) says, “According to the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (RSA), each year the UK throws away approximately 672,000 tonnes of furniture. The society advises that over half of this waste could be re-used. Only 17% of unwanted sofas are re-purposed, with the remainder going to landfill. There are charities, community projects, and upcycling schemes across the UK that are desperate for our old furniture, with sofas being among the most in-demand pieces. By donating to one of these, not only will you be keeping your sofa out of landfill, but you will also be providing a worthy organisation with a donation that they can use to further their cause.”

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH FIRE LABELS ON SOFAS? HOW IS IT IMPORTANT IN A DONATION TO CHARITY?

Since 1988, fire labels are legally required for all upholstered furniture such as sofas, armchairs, etc. Usually found sewn under the cushions or around the edges of the items, the label can mostly be found in blue color, so it is difficult not to miss. The primary purpose of the fire safety label is to say that the furniture is legally compliant with British Fire Safety regulations and hence protects its end consumers. It gives accountability to furniture manufacturers. 

Since many of these furniture items contain foams and fillings that may be flammable, it is crucial that these items are resistant to ignition from cigarettes and matches. All the sofas sold by the manufacturers must be treated with fire-retardant chemicals and the label is used to prove they meet the requirements. Without the label, consumers cannot know if they are buying a safe sofa. Hence, every new piece of furniture manufactured must come with a fire safety label. 

However, mattresses and divans are covered under separate British legislation. 

POSSIBLE FOR FURNITURE DISPOSAL WITHOUT FIRE LABELS?

To successfully donate your furniture to charities such as the British Heart Foundation, the fire safety label must be attached. Otherwise, they will not be able to take it from you. So, it is important to keep the label attached to the furniture at all times. Maybe warn your kids in advance?!

WHAT’S MY BEST OPTION FOR ALL TYPES OF FURNITURE DISPOSAL IN LONDON?

Companies such as Top Waste provide end-to-end clearance services by performing old furniture collection, furniture removal (including sofa removal), furniture disposal (including mattress disposal), recycle as much as possible, and ultimately avoid heaping up junk in landfills. Most companies are fully licensed and insured and come to your location within 24 hours to complete the removal service. 

The best part of using these services is that all the grunt work is taken care of by professionals. That means no need to worry about space in your car or stress about dealing with a load of furniture. Whether your sofa is in a good condition or is trash, vans will be sent to you at your convenience and make your sofa collection easy.

Bonus tip: Book the same date for old sofa removal and new sofa delivery, so in one day, your sofa exchange will be done and dusted. By the end of the day, you will be exactly where you need to be — relaxing on your new furniture!

COST FOR OLD SOFA COLLECTION AND SOFA DISPOSAL?

Depending upon the types and number of sofas, you can expect the cost of sofa removal to be anywhere between £10 and £100. With most of the professional item removal companies, you can request a price quote and possibly get a negotiated deal. 

Hopefully, now you have all the information needed to make an informed decision regarding your old sofa or other furniture items. To summarize, ensure you check for fire safety labels on your sofa, then call your council or a professional company to safely dispose of it. They will donate it to a charity or recycle it to help save the environment. 

With the new sofa entering your home, and the old one being responsibly disposed of, it’s finally safe to say, “So-fa So-good”!

Sometimes the stuff just has to go. Perhaps you’re clearing out a lot of things to prepare for a move. At other times, bereavement or loss can prompt the need for house clearance. Whatever the cause, when you need to get rid of many things all at once, a house clearance service is your best bet.

How does house clearance work?

HOUSE CLEARANCE BASICS

The house clearance company takes away the designated items and tries to do three things with them:

1. The best result for you and the house clearance firms is to sell the items. The house clearance company will buy the items from you and sell them to a shop, an auction house, or directly to customers.
2. The next best thing occurs when house clearance companies take items to local recycling centers. A good clearance company registers with the environment agency and has a permit to recycle items locally.
3. Finally, if neither of those options is available, then the house clearance company will take the items to a registered waste facility.

The house clearance firm should take away all the waste items, rubbish, furniture, light bulbs, and things you no longer want. You should be left with a clean house or room.

HOW DO HOUSE CLEARANCES WORK ON THE DAY?

We can break the house clearance process down into three phases: before, during, and after. Each phase has just a few important details to keep in mind.

• Before the house clearance, you should compare firms. Try to look for house clearance services that have an excellent reputation. You can look for details such as a VAT registration number, a waste collection registration, and a working telephone number. These sound simple, but they separate the good firms from the cowboys.
• Before the house clearance, take time to remove anything you want to keep. Antiques, photos, jewelry, ornaments, and other personal effects might have sentimental value for you. Box them up and keep them for a while. You can always donate them to charities later if you choose.
• During the house clearance, the firm should remove the designated items. They should remove any waste, furniture, and rubbish you have designated. Appliances, such as fridges, freezer, and TVs, can also be removed. Some firms may use a skip during house clearances to collect things to take to the tip.
• During the house clearance, note the firm’s phone number and ensure they are a qualified waste carrier. Unscrupulous waste carriers dump furniture and rubbish. You could be liable for any fly-tipping penalties if your belongings are dumped illegally.
• After they finish the property clearance, you can check the resale value of your goods and ensure you receive the correct funds owed you, if any. It’s also polite to leave reviews with your opinion about the business and service you received.

This rough plan should see you through your house clearance.

Most people only require a house clearance once or twice in their lives. This leaves many questions. Here are some top questions and answers.

DO HOUSE CLEARANCES TAKE EVERYTHING?

Yes, a good house clearance firm should take everything. They can take household goods to a recycling center or to a landfill for disposal. Household items can be sold to a charity shop instead of recycling.

There may be a need for specialists if the removal is unique. The quote and sale of many antiques might require a specific expert. Hazardous materials might need a specific solution and the work of specialists to clear correctly.

However, the general answer is yes, house clearances take everything.

HOW CAN I EARN MONEY FROM HOUSE CLEARANCE?

It is possible to get paid for house clearance. If selling on your old items or disposing of the belongings of a deceased loved one is too difficult for you, then house clearance businesses can do this job for you. They will dispose of the negatives – clutter, recyclables, and junk – for a fee. They can also sell positives – valuable content – to shops for payment. If the value of the positives is greater than the amount needed to dispose of the negatives, then you will get paid.

Ensure you get a quote and information before the job about the prices of the items. Any valuation will help you later if there is a problem.

HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE A HOUSE CLEARANCE?

You can follow the plan outlined above. There may be a few other factors such as:

• Probate valuations in the case of a will or estate.
• Solicitors’ fees may be incurred if legal issues arise.

Other than these issues, our before, during, and after plan should help you get started. The most important thing is to look for testimonials and recommendations to guide you to an organization you can trust.

DOES BHF CHARGE FOR HOUSE CLEARANCE?

It depends on what you are clearing. If all your items are eligible for resale in their shop, then your house clearance may be free. If BHF has to send some or many of your material to the recycling center or tip, then you will be charged for this. You can read their guide for more information.

HOW CAN YOU SPOT THE COWBOYS?

Many service industries are plagued by cowboy firms who promise the moon but deliver rubbish. Sadly, some of these exist in the world of removals. Here are a few ways to spot them:

• Great firms have permits as waste carriers, insurance to safeguard your property, and full-sized Luton vans to collect your belongings.
• Great firms will give you a quote, offer an invoice, accept payment by bank transfer, and have a privacy policy.
• Great firms show respect for you and your home by their consideration for your neighbors, equipment, and vehicles. They won’t make a mess or leave a mess.

If you come across a firm lacking in one of these, take it as a warning. Just look elsewhere to find a reputable company.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW?

The basic idea of a house clearance is really straightforward: you arrange for someone to collect all the stuff. They collect it and dispose of it on your behalf. If it is valuable, they may pay you. If it is not valuable, then you will pay them for disposal. The process doesn’t have to be complicated.

You should keep a few things in mind, though:

• The firm is acting on your behalf. If they dispose of items illegally, you have full liability for any charges.
• Get multiple quotes from different companies. Costs vary and you might find a good deal by shopping around.
• Anyone can turn up with a van and some guys. Try to look for reputable companies for the right price.

SUMMARY

House clearances are simple in principle but can be difficult in practice. Professional service will ensure you have a good experience and your needs are met.