What Happens to Your Items After a House Clearance?

When a van drives away full of furniture and boxes, it is natural to wonder where it all ends up. With a responsible clearance company, very little should go straight to landfill.

Reuse comes first

Furniture, kitchenware, books, clothes and household goods in good condition are passed on – to charity shops, furniture reuse projects or for resale. This helps people furnish homes affordably and keeps useful items out of the waste system.

Recycling the materials

Items that cannot be reused are broken down into materials. Metal goes for scrap recycling, wood is separated, cardboard and paper are recycled, and textiles are reused or recycled where possible.

Electricals and fridges

Old TVs, computers, kettles and other electricals must go through approved recycling routes, as they contain materials that can be recovered and substances that must be handled safely. Fridges and freezers go to specialist facilities that capture the gases inside.

Sofas and armchairs

Some upholstered furniture contains persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the foam and fabric. These items cannot be landfilled or recycled normally and must be sent to the right facility.

What is left

Only what cannot be reused or recycled is disposed of, and it should always go to a licensed waste site.

Why it matters to you

Householders have a legal duty of care for their waste. If a cheap "man with a van" fly-tips your belongings, the waste can be traced back to you. Always check a clearance firm is registered to carry waste on the Environment Agency's public register before you book.