Changing your bed, upgrading the sofa or moving house? The new furniture is the fun part. Working out what to do with the old furniture and mattress is not. Here are the ways to dispose of old furniture in Singapore, what each one costs, and how to pick the right one for you.
The quick answer
- Still in good condition? Sell it, give it away or donate it.
- Buying a replacement? Ask the retailer to take the old one away when they deliver the new one.
- Living in an HDB flat? Book your town council’s bulky item removal. A few items a month are usually free.
- Lots of items, or not in an HDB flat? Hire a licensed waste collector.
- Never leave it at the void deck, in the corridor or by the road. That’s illegal dumping.
Your options compared
| Option | Cost | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town council bulky item removal | Free for a few items a month (often 3) | HDB residents clearing one or two items | Book 2 to 3 working days ahead. No dismantling, no built-in items, must fit in the lift. |
| Retailer takes it away on delivery | Per item; mattresses often free like-for-like | Replacing a bed, mattress or sofa | Only with a purchase, and booked with your order. |
| Sell or give away | Free, or you earn a little | Items in good condition | You arrange the listing and the buyer usually collects. |
| Donate to charity | Usually free | Items in very good, clean condition | Check what they accept first. Some collect bulky items by appointment. |
| Licensed waste collector | Paid, by item or by load | Big clear-outs, condos and landed homes | Use a licensed collector, so you know it’s disposed of properly. |
Town council bulky item removal
If you live in an HDB flat, your town council is often the cheapest way to get rid of a bulky item. Most offer free removal for a set number of items a month. Here’s how a few of them do it:
| Town council | Free items | Book ahead | Collection hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sembawang | Up to 3 per request, once a month | 2 working days | Mon to Sat, 1pm to 5pm |
| East Coast | Up to 3 per unit a month, then $5 per piece | Online request form | Not stated |
| West Coast-Jurong West | Up to 3 per unit a month | 3 working days | Mon to Sat, 2pm to 5pm |
| Jalan Besar | Up to 3 per household a month | 3 days | Mon to Fri, 2pm to 4pm |
From each town council’s website in November 2026. Rules change, so check your own town council before you book.
What town councils usually won’t take
- Built-in furniture, such as fitted wardrobes and kitchen cabinets
- Items too big for the lift, or that need more than two people to carry
- Pianos, safes, gym equipment, fish tanks and glass
- Renovation debris and whole-house moves
They also won’t dismantle furniture for you, so take bed frames and wardrobes apart before collection day. Counting rules differ too: West Coast-Jurong West, for example, counts a bed frame with its mattress as two items.
Don’t leave it at the void deck
Leaving an old sofa or mattress at the void deck, in the corridor or by the road might feel like a quick fix, but it’s an offence under the Environmental Public Health Act. First-time offenders can be fined up to $50,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. In May 2026, a driver was fined $8,000 for dumping office furniture along a road in Jurong.
If you hire someone to take your furniture away, choose a licensed waste collector, so it ends up somewhere it should.
Selling, giving away or donating
If your furniture still has life in it, someone else may want it. List it on a marketplace such as Carousell, or post it in a community give-away group. Clear photos, measurements and a note on any wear help it go quickly. Most buyers collect, so check the item fits through your door and lift first.
Charities such as The Salvation Army accept furniture in good condition, and some collect bulky items by appointment. Ask what they take before you book. Used mattresses are harder to donate than other furniture, so if yours is worn out, disposal is usually the better choice.
Replacing it? Let the delivery team take the old one
If you’re buying new furniture anyway, the easiest option is to have the old piece taken away on the same trip. At BEDANDBASICS, add furniture disposal to your order and our delivery team will remove your old item when they bring the new one, so there’s nothing to arrange separately.
- Free old mattress removal: buy a new mattress and we’ll take away one old mattress of the same size or smaller, free. Book it at least 2 days before delivery, as last-minute requests cost from $20 per item.
- Simple disassembly included: up to 10 minutes per item.
- Clear, per-item pricing: from $25 for chairs and small tables, $60 for most sofas, bed frames and mattresses, and $160 for a wardrobe or loft bed.
See the full price list and how it works on our furniture and mattress disposal page. Disposal is only available with a BEDANDBASICS furniture order.
Before collection day
- Measure the lift and doorways. If the item won’t fit, it may need to be dismantled or carried down the stairs.
- Take it apart if you can. Unscrew legs and headboards, and dismantle wardrobes, unless the collector does it for you.
- Empty it. Clear drawers, storage beds and shelves, and remove anything you want to keep.
- Book the service lift if you live in a condo that requires it.
- Keep a clear path from the item to the door.
FAQ
Is town council bulky item removal free?
Most town councils remove a few bulky items a month free for HDB residents, often up to 3 items per household. Extra items may be charged, and the rules differ by town council, so check yours before you book.
Does the town council take mattresses and bed frames?
Usually yes, as long as they are movable and fit in the lift. Some count a bed frame and mattress as two items, and most won’t dismantle furniture or remove built-in items for you.
What is the fine for dumping furniture in Singapore?
Leaving bulky items at void decks, corridors or roadsides is an offence under the Environmental Public Health Act. First-time offenders can be fined up to $50,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.
Can I donate an old mattress?
It’s harder than other furniture. Many charities only accept items in very good, clean condition, so ask first. If it’s worn out, disposal is the better option.
Will BEDANDBASICS take my old mattress away?
Yes, when we deliver a new one. For each new mattress you buy from us, we take away one old mattress free, as long as it’s the same size or smaller and no more than 1 inch thicker. Some special-price mattresses don’t include free disposal. Please book it at least 2 days before your delivery.
Can I book BEDANDBASICS disposal without buying anything?
No. Our disposal service is only available with a BEDANDBASICS furniture order, because we remove the old item on the same trip as your delivery.