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Used furniture can cause environmental pollution, have low resale value, and may even harm consumer interests. Are these items truly useless?
A decade ago, most families didn’t face much of a problem with old furniture. However, as people’s living standards have improved and product upgrades have accelerated, used furniture has become “hard to get rid of, hard to sell, and hard to move.†Many people now feel stuck with it.
Why has used furniture turned into a “chicken bone†— something that’s not worth much? The main issue is its low added value. Buyers are unwilling to pay high prices, leading sellers to lose interest and enthusiasm.
How do consumers deal with used furniture today?
Ms. Chen, who lives in the suburbs of Chaoyang District in Beijing, once faced this challenge when moving. She found that small dealers who previously bought second-hand furniture were almost gone. Even if someone was willing to buy, they offered only around 10 or 20 yuan per item. “Who would bother selling like that?†she said. Eventually, she just left the furniture behind for the new owner to handle.
Mr. Liu, from North Third Ring Middle Road, had better luck. There were local vendors in his community who collected waste paper, plastic, and old furniture. He sold a 70% new bookcase for 80 yuan. Although it was made of solid wood, the price was still low compared to its original value. A few years ago, he had paid thousands for it.
Boss Zhang, a furniture recycler in Xicheng District, expressed frustration. “Old furniture isn’t valuable like appliances,†he said. For example, a large wardrobe might be bought for 20 yuan and sold for 25 at the secondary market, but sometimes even less, which means losing money.
Is the second-hand furniture market just “sitting and earning� In a quiet market near West Fourth Ring Road in Haidian District, one stall owner said, “It's a low-profit business, but it’s enough to eat.†Most buyers are renters with limited budgets and high bargaining power, making it difficult to set a good price.
Where does the furniture go? Boss Zhang mentioned that some processing plants in Hebei buy old furniture by weight. Though they make a profit, it’s not significant. The wood is crushed and turned into boards, which sell better than the original furniture.
What about trade-in policies? Both buyers and sellers should benefit, promoting resource conservation and environmental protection. In 2012, Beijing launched a pilot program where consumers could exchange old furniture for new ones. The government and retailers provided subsidies of up to 1,000 yuan per item. Many participated, recycling nearly 20,000 pieces.
However, the policy had flaws. Some people found loopholes, such as using unrelated items to qualify. Also, processing companies weren’t subsidized, so their participation was low.
In 2013, Beijing improved the policy. Old furniture had to be completely dismantled and properly recycled. Reusable parts went to legal companies, while non-reusable materials were handled by sanitation departments.
Some industry experts argue that banning used furniture from the second-hand market leads to wasted resources. For instance, a 70-80% new piece being fully dismantled is inefficient. To expand the Beijing model nationwide, more details need to be addressed.
The trade-in policy benefits everyone. It helps consumers, businesses, and the environment. During the event, sales increased significantly. While there are issues, the policy is seen as a positive step forward.
How can we effectively use waste furniture? Encouraging the second-hand market and supporting processing companies are key. China’s recycling system divides waste into high and low-value categories. High-value items like electronics are more economically viable, while low-value ones like furniture are gaining attention.
From a recycling perspective, better-quality used furniture can enter the second-hand market, maximizing its value. Others can be broken down into reusable materials. Some wood can be turned into boards, and harmful materials like leather and rubber can be treated safely.
However, many places still struggle with proper recycling systems. The balance between economic incentives, environmental impact, and social benefits needs improvement.
Experts suggest designing systems that motivate consumers, recyclers, and processors. For example, providing convenient channels for disposal and offering financial support to low-value industries.
Finally, controlling the flow of used furniture is crucial. First, let it circulate in the second-hand market to extend its life. Then, separate unusable parts into harmless and reusable categories. Harmless waste should be handled by the government, while reusable parts can be managed by the market.
Avoiding confusion between these steps is essential. If done correctly, the system can be sustainable and efficient.