How to get rid of a sofa in Leicester
Old sofas are one of the most common things people need to get rid of, and one of the most awkward. Here's every option in Leicester, what it costs and the catch with each one.
- Free council collection in Leicester city, if you can get it outside by 7am
- Tip: Gypsum Close or Freemen's Common, if it fits in your car or van
- Charity: only if it's in good condition with its fire safety label
- Private collection: around £35 to £80, and they carry it out
- Sofas contain chemicals called POPs, so they must be incinerated, not landfilled
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Council collection
Leicester City Council collects sofas as part of its bulky waste collection, free once every two months (up to five items) or £22 for an extra collection. The catch: it must be outside by 7am, covered so it stays dry, and the crew won't go inside or take it apart. Outside the city, councils charge, for example £40 in Charnwood and £42 in Hinckley and Bosworth for upholstered items.
The tip
Both Leicester city tips take furniture. A sofa rarely fits in a car, though, and taking a van to Gypsum Close needs a permit.
Donate it
Charity furniture shops may take a sofa that's clean, undamaged and still has its fire safety label. Without the label, most charities can't legally sell it.
Private collection
A licensed company can usually collect within a day or two, carry it out from any room and take it away. A single sofa is often £35 to £80, and adding other items costs less per item. See single item removal.
Why sofas are different
Upholstered seating, like sofas and armchairs, often contains persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from old flame retardants. In England, it has to be incinerated instead of going to landfill. That's why some councils collect sofas separately and charge more for them, and why it matters that whoever takes yours is a registered waste carrier.
Which option is best?
| Option | Cost | Best if |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester council | Free (or £22) | You can get it outside and can wait |
| Tip | Free | You have a big enough vehicle |
| Charity | Free | It's in good condition with a fire label |
| Private collection | £35 to £80 | It's upstairs, heavy, or you need it gone soon |
Sofa stuck upstairs?
A licensed Leicester company can carry it out and take it away. Get a free quote.
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