Disposing of Your Old Cabinets: What You Need to Know

By: Jenny Cazares

You have a few options to consider when you’re not sure what to do with your old kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

How do I dispose of my old cabinets?

What if a contractor is removing the cabinets?

• Typically if you are working with a contractor, they will remove your old cabinets and take them to a landfill.

• Contractors will factor the cost of dumping fees into their quote. You can save money on disposal fees if you donate your cabinets. Ask your contractor if they can remove them with care.

• Your contractor can hang the cabinets for additional storage in your basement or garage.

What if the homeowner is removing the cabinets?

• Recycle them in another area of the home; such as the basement, laundry room, or garage, for additional storage.

• Donate them to your local nonprofit organization such as The ReConnstruction Center in Connecticut, which will reuse building materials.

• Advertise on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace, either for sale or for FREE; “Someone’s trash may be another person’s treasure.”

What do nonprofit organizations do with the cabinets I donate?

Nonprofit organizations reuse building materials and cabinets donated to them; they sell these materials to customers at a highly reduced cost.

These organizations are dedicated to preventing building materials from being dumped in landfills. Their mission is to improve the environment and to create social sustainability.

Most nonprofit organizations will schedule a time to pick up your cabinetry and building materials that are not damaged and in reasonably good shape.

In many cases, some nonprofit organizations have volunteers that will come to your home or business and remove them for you. If you’re handy, you can give back to the community by volunteering your time to do the same for others.

Building materials make up more than 75% of landfill waste, so by donating, you are helping the environment and giving back to the community!

You will receive a tax deduction for your donations.

How do I decide the best way to dispose of my cabinets?

You have a few choices; the best option for you will be determined by 2 factors:

What kind of shape are your cabinets in?

• If they can be sanded and painted or repaired, someone may want them. 

Some people will reuse them for crafts!

• If you’re not sure if an organization will take your old cabinets, ask them; they may ask for a picture before they schedule a pick-up. 

• If they are damaged or not in good shape to donate, post an ad on social media such as Facebook Marketplace, FREE for pick-up.

• If no one wants your cabinets, or they are in very poor shape, then disposing of them may be the only alternative.

Do you have the space to store them?

• If you don’t have storage or live in a community where you are not allowed to store items outside for pick-up; plan ahead for a donation pick-up or delivery.

• If you have garage or basement space, store them until pick-up.

• If you have a covered space outdoors to store your cabinets, you can tarp them to keep them dry until pick-up or delivery.

Many people are unaware they have the option to donate their construction materials and cabinets to nonprofit organizations.

Research your local area for more information about recycling and organizations accepting construction materials for donations. 

Dean Cabinetry feels strongly about the issue of waste, alternatives to putting items in a landfill, and what we can do to help the environment. Dean Cabinetry makes every effort to be a lean company and by donating, we can each do our part to help make the world a better place for all!