America Recycles Day: Turn Your Furniture into the Comforts of Home
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Americans discarded approximately 12.1 million tons of furniture and furnishings in 2018. Most of this furniture ends up in landfills, contributing to waste and environmental impact.
This America Recycles Day, recycling isn’t just about cans, bottles or paper. It’s about furniture too. Across the United States, millions of tons of furniture are discarded each year, while countless families struggle to fill empty apartments and houses with the essentials that make a house a home.
The Furniture Waste Problem
The numbers are shocking: according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Americans discarded approximately 12.1 million tons of furniture and furnishings in 2018. Most of this furniture ends up in landfills, contributing to waste and environmental impact. Yet, much of this furniture is still usable. Tables, chairs, beds and sofas could have a second life. They can help families move from housing instability or recover from a crisis and make their space a place they can truly call home.
Why Furniture Matters
Research shows that living in an under-furnished home isn’t just inconvenient, it can impact health and wellbeing. Families without essential furniture often experience additional stress, difficulty sleeping and challenges maintaining stable housing that folks living in furnished spaces don’t.
At The Furniture Project, we see firsthand how a bed, a table or a chair can transform a space. Providing these basic furnishings doesn’t just fill rooms, it supports mental and physical health. It also helps families settle into their homes with dignity and provides them the comforts that help them thrive.
How You Can Make a Difference
Donating your gently used furniture is one of the most impactful ways to recycle because it:
Reduces waste: Keeping usable items out of landfills.
Helps our neighbors: Furnishing homes of Omaha area families, children and individuals in need.
Supports the community: Providing essentials that help adults be better able to contribute in their workplaces and children are more ready to learn at school.
Especially on America Recycles Day, consider making your next recycling effort a donation to a family in need. Every table, chair and bed can make a world of difference. We are glad to pick up furniture donations, but please note that we have a waiting list of 3-4 weeks.
Ready to donate or learn more?