If you have a long piece of wood that would be too long for regular disposal, cut or chop it down to size.
Avoid tying the wood up with other material, such as tape or nylon twine. They have to be sorted out of the woodpiles, so most collection services don’t want them.
If your city doesn’t offer scheduled pickup, you’ll have to call a private waste company.
Most cities will have a free dropoff site for yard waste and natural materials like that.
Check with local hardware and power equipment rental stores. They’ll typically charge $200 to $400 per rental for a wood chipper.
Scrap wood can be used as bonfire material! If you have an outdoor firepit, you can burn the wood outside so long as it’s legal where you live. Do not burn treated or painted lumber. Burning that stuff releases toxic chemicals into the air. If you’re unable to dispose of the wood yourself, ask if your neighbors want it. Some people will even pay for scrap wood.
You can throw out construction lumber the same way you’d throw out yard waste if you want, but you might as well reuse it or find it a new home. Products like particleboard and plywood are usually treated. If you hired a contractor to do construction work, they are responsible for sorting and removing wood waste. You only have to do it if you did the work on your own.
Scrap wood and crates can be repurposed to create end tables, shelves, and bookshelves. Salvaged-wood dealers charge a lower fee than other disposal services, so look into giving them untreated lumber. [10] X Research source
How you price your lumber depends on the quality and quantity, but if it’s truly pristine and construction-ready, consider selling it for 5-10% less than what you bought it for.
If you live in a dense area, you can probably set the wood out on your front sidewalk with a free sign.
Remove what you’re able to. If you’re unable to get a nail stuck deep inside of the wood, let the disposal service know. As long as the nail isn’t sticking out in a dangerous way, you can usually get rid of the wood.
If you have more wood than you can fit in your car, rent a truck or contact a hauling company. Another option is to take a little bit at a time. Note that some communities have waste disposal events where you can dump scrap wood for free. Contact your local waste management department for more information.
Take advantage of any free disposal services offered in your area. Some city services let you get rid of bulk items up to 5 times a year. Smaller items that will fit in as trash bag can just go out with your normal trash.
The transportation fee for these services varies a lot depending on what you’re getting rid of and how far it needs to be moved. Most junk removal services tend to start at $75. Another option is to take your items directly to a disposal facility. Call the facility to ask about their policies first. You will have to drive the items there yourself, so you may need to rent a trunk to move big pieces of furniture.
Nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army will take your used furniture. Most types of wood furniture and household goods are made with treated wood or have been painted. Since they cannot be recycled, the best way to dispose of them is to reuse them. For example, wooden toys and quality furniture like desks are usually made with treated wood or have paint on them. Find someone to take them off your hands.
Keep in mind that treated and painted wood won’t be accepted by a recycling facility. You may be able to repurpose these pieces at home. Patio furniture is an example of recyclable wood. Patio furniture is usually made with untreated hardwood that resists water, so it is safe to take apart and reuse. Wood debris like lumber, pallets, and wood trim from construction sites and demolition can also be recycled.
