How to Dispose of Carpet the Right Way

Just tore out your old, stained carpet? Now, you are left with a heavy, rolled-up reminder of the past, and thinking about how to dispose of carpet?

After all, disposing of carpet isn’t as simple as throwing it in the trash, especially if you want to do it the right way. The good news? You have got plenty of options to pick!

From recycling to professional hauling, the list goes on!

In the following blog, we are going to have a detailed discussion on the best ways to dispose of carpet along with all the relevant topics. So, keep scrolling!

Why Does This Matter? 🔗

Carpet disposal is one of the crucial things that, if not done right, can have a negative impact on the environment, along with your health and money as well. Here’s why they are essential:

Millions of tons of carpet are discarded every year, and as they are made from plastics and synthetic fibers, they aren’t biodegradable. Hence, recycling or repurposing them helps to lessen the landfill waste.
Old carpets contain adhesives, dyes, and chemicals that can leach into soil and water if disposed of the wrong way. Therefore, the eco-friendly disposal keeps these things at bay, protecting the environment.
Used carpet can trap the allergens, pet dander, mold, and dust mites, so disposing of it properly ultimately means a safer, healthier space.
Most of the municipalities have specific regulations for carpet disposal. Following them eventually saves one from unnecessary fines.
When donated, these carpets can play a massive role in helping several families, shelters, or community organizations.
Planning disposal ahead of time is much cheaper and easier than paying the penalties or last-minute solutions.

How to Prepare Your Carpet for Disposal 🔗

Before you think about any disposal methods, the first step is to always make the old carpet easier and obviously safer to handle.

Because, as always, a little prep work can save quite a lot of your time and money, along with making the whole disposal method go smoothly.

So, let’s begin:

Cut the Carpet into Manageable Sections 🔗

You might think that trying to haul an entire room’s worth of carpet in one piece is next to impossible. However, if you know the exact way, it will feel like a piece of cake.

For instance, make sure to grab a sharp utility knife and flip the carpet over to cut it from the back (much easier this way). Afterwards, slice it into strips about 3-4 feet wide so you can carry it easily.

Roll and Tie Each Piece 🔗

Once you have got the strips, roll them up tightly. This, in return, will make things simpler to stack, transport, or load into the vehicle. Plus, you can also use rope, duct tape, or twine to secure each roll.

Remove Carpet Padding 🔗

Moving on, there is a foam padding underneath that typically needs to be handled separately. Hence, cut it into sections, roll it up and tie it just like you did with the carpet. After all, padding is often recyclable on its own.

Remove Staples, Nails, or Tack Strips 🔗

Then, there are those sharp edges along the floor, which can be quite hazardous. So, make sure to use pliers or a flathead screwdriver to pry up staples, nails and tack strips. Gather them in a sturdy container and dispose of them separately as sharp waste.

Know What You Can’t Do 🔗

When it comes to getting rid of old carpet, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing the disposal options. Otherwise, a few mistakes can land you with fines, rejected pickups or worse. So, here’s what to avoid:

Don’t Leave It on the Curb Without Checking Rules 🔗

These may sound the simplest, as all you have to do is roll up the carpet and leave it out with the weekly trash. But, here’s the catch, this act might not be allowed in several cities.

Besides, the carpet is kind of bulkier for regular pickup and often need special collection/recycling. Hence, make sure to check with the local waste service rules first to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Don’t Burn It 🔗

Always remember, burning old carpet is a big no-no in all kinds of situations. After all, most of them are made with synthetic fibers, adhesives, and chemical substances that release toxic fumes whenever burned.

They are extremely dangerous for the health and environment, along with being illegal.

Don’t Dump It Illegally 🔗

Leaving the carpet in an empty lot, a wooded space or tossing it into someone else’s dumpster may feel like a shortcut, but then again, it will fall under illegal dumping. And in case you are caught, game over!

From facing harsh punishments to bearing the cleanup expense, the risk is not totally worth it.

Choose the Right Disposal Option 🔗

Once the carpet is ready, it’s time to decide how you want to dispose of it. However, the best option is to pick the one that depends on the carpet’s condition, how much you have, and how fast you want to get rid of it.

Below is a list of the top 3 disposal options you can choose from:

Curbside Pickup (if Allowed) 🔗

Some cities have options for scheduling a special bulk pickup for carpet, but it isn’t as simple as dragging it to the curb. For instance:

Check the local rules and regulations on your sanitation department’s site or give them a call.
Some areas need you to schedule in advance or opt for carpet disposal tags.
Rolls typically need to be cut to a particular size and weight, so always follow the guidelines to avoid a rejected pickup.

Local Waste Drop-Off Center or Landfill 🔗

In case curbside isn’t an option, you can simply haul your carpet to a designated waste facility. Just watch out for:

Opt for allowed materials and fees, as not all centers might take carpet.
Stay prepared, as some places tend to charge by weight or by the load.
Check the operating hours and ensure the vehicle can handle the load before heading out.

Recycling Carpet 🔗

This is one of the most eco-friendly option to keep the bulky waste out of landfills and give the material a second chance in insulation, mats, etc.

Look for facilities that accept carpet, like those partnered with CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort).
Not all types of carpet can be recycled, such as nylon and polyester often can, while for others, the case might be different.

Donation (if in Good Condition) 🔗

If the carpet is in good condition, then the best call is to donate it. After all, someone in need can use it. However, make sure they are clean, mold-free, and undamaged.

You can donate to local charities, shelters, reuse centers or maybe some nonprofit organizations.
Online platforms like Craigslist, Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace are also great for giving away.

Hire a Junk Removal Service 🔗

This is probably the fastest and most hassle-free way to get rid of the carpet. All you have to do is call in the experts. From loading to hauling and disposing, they will take care of everything.

Ideal for large-scale renovations or when you don’t have the time or energy to deal with things yourself.
Make sure to do a thorough comparison of the prices and services that offer recycling or donation rather than throwing it in a landfill.

Creative Reuse Options (Optional but Fun!) 🔗

Not every piece of your old buddy has to leave the house. As you can easily give them a second chance by repurposing the scraps. And for the best part?

They can be super budget-friendly, eco-conscious and fun as well.

Repurpose Carpet Scraps 🔗

Just because your carpet is too worn for the living space doesn’t make it totally useless. Instead, they can be repurposed in the following ways, saving both money and time:

Garage floor mats
Knee pads for gardening
Pet bedding or crate liners
Workshop padding

Use for Moving Protection 🔗

Planning to move heavy furniture? Old carpet scraps are a perfect option for padding to protect the floor and furniture:

Under furniture legs
As protective floor padding

Check Local Regulations and Guidelines 🔗

Before beginning to roll your carpet, always double-check with the local rules and regulations. Otherwise, this simple mistake can lead to unnecessary surprises:

Some cities prefer to schedule a bulk pickup, while others may ask you to buy the disposal tags or cut them into particular lengths.
Local landfills and recycling centers might have strict size, weight or condition preferences for rolls.
The fees might vary based on whether you are dropping it off, scheduling a pickup or hiring a hauler.
In most cities, there are special carpet recycling programs like CARE that you won’t know anything about unless you check.

How to find it?

Visit the city/county's sanitation or waste management website.
Have a talk with the local recycling center or landfill.
If you live in an HOA or apartment complex, check in with the management, as they may have their own rules.

Carpet Disposal at a Glance 🔗

Getting rid of the carpet is a lot easier when you break it into manageable steps. So, here’s a quick checklist you can follow to keep the process stress-free:

Slice carpet into 3–4 foot wide strips for easy handling.
Roll tightly and tie with duct tape, rope, or twine.
Cut, roll, and bundle it on its own (padding is often recycled differently).
Pull up staples, tack strips, and nails; dispose of them safely.
Decide: curbside pickup (if allowed), recycling, donation, landfill drop-off, or junk removal service.
Confirm size limits, pickup schedules, or disposal fees in your area.
Recycle, donate, or repurpose scraps whenever possible.
Wear gloves, a dust mask, and sturdy shoes to stay safe.

Concluding Words 🔗

Getting rid of old carpet doesn’t have to be complicated anymore.

After all, whether you want to recycle it, donate it or maybe call in the professional, there’s a perfect disposal method out there to ideally fit into every kind of situation. And all you have to do is a bit of planning before, so you can dispose of it quickly, responsibly and without any hassle.

FAQs 🔗

Can I Put Carpet in the Trash? 🔗

Obviously not, as most municipalities may not accept carpet in curbside bins, as they might be heavy and difficult to process. Plus, you will need bulk pickup, recycling, or drop-off options.

How Much Does Carpet Disposal Cost? 🔗

Well, it totally depends on your method. If you plan to remove the carpet yourself and have the necessary tools, you'll just need to budget for disposal costs, typically around $0.50 to $0.60 per square foot. For a 12-by-12-foot room, that's about $70 to $80, compared to the $140 to $290 you'd pay for professional removal and disposal.

What If I Only Have a Small Amount of Carpet? 🔗

You can easily use them for DIY purposes (garden knee pads, garage mats, etc.). And in case you don’t want to keep them, make sure to check in with the local waste service, as they often accept small amounts with household trash.