Clearing out old furniture sounds simple until you find out that leaving bulky items in your corridor counts as illegal dumping. Waste disposal can differ depending on where you live: the National Environmental Agency (NEA), town councils, and licensed collectors hold different roles in the waste removal process.
Joy Movers is an experienced house moving company in Singapore familiar with the rules of waste disposal. Our guide will help you decide the best ways to dispose of your unwanted furniture to avoid a hefty fine.
What Counts as a Bulky Item?
According to the NEA, bulky items include:
- Furniture like tables, chairs, cupboards and mattresses.
- Large appliances such as fridges, washing machines, and dryers
These bulky items are collected through separate channels from regular household rubbish before disposal.
Your Disposal Options in an HDB Flat
If you live in an HDB flat, you may reach out to your local town council for a free monthly furniture removal service for up to three items. This includes bulky items like microwave ovens, gas cookers and televisions too. However, hazardous materials, renovation debris and built-in furniture are excluded from this list. Schedules for removal pick-up vary across town councils and neighbourhoods.
Your Disposal Options in Private Estates and Condos
For those living in private homes, the above-mentioned free furniture disposal service will not be available to you.
Instead, you can:
- Contact your estate’s Public Waste Collector (PWC) to inquire about the cost of furniture removal.
- Look through NEA’s official list for other licensed waste collectors in Singapore and select one that suits your needs.
What Counts as Illegal Dumping?
According to Singapore’s Environmental Public Health Act, illegal dumping is the act of leaving waste in void decks, corridors or on the roadsides. Waste can include anything from old furniture, bulky appliances to organic waste like garden waste. Illegal dumping can result in environmental pollution and is a risk to public health.
What is the Fine for Illegal Dumping of Bulky Furniture?
First-time offenders face fines of up to $50,000 or up to a year in jail. If that doesn’t deter you, repeat offences carry fines of up to $100,000, and real cases have already resulted in fines in the thousands.
When Should I Use a Disposal Service?
Disposing furniture legally and safely in Singapore can be time consuming and stressful, especially with town council limits and monthly caps.
You can consider using a disposal service when:
- There are large volumes of bulky items for disposal.
- There is a tight timeline for disposal.
Disposal services can remove everything you wish to clear in one visit, eliminating the guesswork around item quota. Better yet, pairing a disposal with a move or a renovation saves you a separate trip altogether.
Book a Disposal Service in Singapore
Looking to dispose of old furniture after a renovation or during a move in Singapore? Make the process easier with Joy Movers’ furniture disposal service, priced the same volume-based way as a move. Our services range from clearing a unit before a renovation or move, to a straightforward decluttering session, so you don’t have to worry about legalities when clearing your house.
If you’re planning a move in Singapore and need movers to help out, feel free to contact us on Whatsapp or request a quote to have a fuss-free furniture disposal experience.
