How to Reduce Furniture Waste at Home
You don’t have to buy new furniture all the time!
- Buy furniture that is a classic design, well built and will last a lifetime!
- Use what you have!
- Mend broken furniture – there are lots of tutorials online if you are handy with a drill and screwdriver, or find your local Repair Cafe for help and advice.
- Quality furniture might cost a bit more in the first place, but if you get 100 years of wear out of it it is definitely worth it!
- Buy furniture made from recycled materials. There are lots of companies making innovative new furniture from old stuff.
- Don’t buy cheap disposable furniture. Say no to the trip around IKEA!
- Upcycle! Rejuvenate old furniture with a coat of paint or re-upholstery.
How to Reduce Furniture Waste at School
Sharing between schools
If your school is in a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) with lots of other school you might be able to share old furniture between schools and find a place for it. Some schools might have an associated building where old furniture can be kept, or the Drama department of secondary schools might keep old furniture for plays or school productions. Ask around and find out before buying new furniture.
Ask the parents
Instead of getting rid of old furniture or buying new furniture ask parents if they can provide any. In a school of 400 pupils it is likely that someone will be moving house and either need to get rid of or buy new furniture.
Mend before you buy new stuff!
Schools can use Repair Cafes too. Your local one will be glad to help out – all for a donation and you get to eat cake and drink coffee too!
