Whether you’re transforming that fixer-upper into your dream home or renovating just one room, chances are that you had the floors redone. Now you’re stuck with a pile of ripped-up flooring, unsure of what to do with it. Or, maybe you bought too much of the new flooring and have planks leftover—unfortunately, renovating isn’t like a video game where one click gives you exactly what you need!
When it comes to getting rid of laminate flooring, things get a little tricky due to the mixed materials. Here’s how to dispose of laminate flooring safely, regardless of whether it’s old or new.
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a composite type of flooring made of multiple layers and it’s come a long way since its disco-era origins. Initially written off as a cheap-looking alternative to hardwood flooring, today there are many different types of laminate flooring. Laminate that mimics natural wood remains the most popular choice, but many now feature bold colors and beautiful patterns. Even upscale homes are now built with laminate floors or use them in renovations.
Laminate flooring consists of a core layer made of plywood or particle board wood that sits at the bottom, an image layer placed on top of it, and a protective wear layer that seals it.
Why You Shouldn’t Burn Laminate Flooring
About 80% of laminate flooring is wood, but the wear layer is coated with formaldehyde or aluminum oxide. This means that you should never use laminate floorboards as kindling or try to dispose of them by burning them.
These chemicals in the laminate adhesive are hazardous to your health and the environment once they become airborne via burning. The EPA notes that long-term exposure to formaldehyde in gas form has been associated with cancer, respiratory illnesses, skin conditions, and other adverse health effects.
Due to these concerns, getting rid of laminate floor boards is much more difficult than disposing of tile and other non-hazardous building materials.
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How to Dispose of Laminate Flooring
It’s a good idea to keep a plank or two on hand in case the manufacturer discontinues your flooring type after one of your tiles gets damaged. But if you simply have way too much that you know you’ll never use, here’s how you can dispose of laminate flooring easily.
Normal Trash Collection
It may not be your ideal option, as you’ll be contributing to landfill waste, but sometimes curbside collection is the easiest solution. While laminate flooring contains some toxic materials, you can put intact pieces out on the curb with your normal trash pick-up in most places. If you’re unsure whether or not you can do this, check with your local waste management authority first.
Take It to a Recycling Center or Designated Disposal Site
This more eco-friendly option depends on your local laws and the condition of the laminate flooring. Contact your local recycling center to see if they accept laminate flooring. Not all recycling centers have the proper equipment to recycle laminate. If they do, you will need to bring it yourself, but you can be assured that the materials will be handled safely once you drop them off.
Sell It Online
If you have several pieces of used laminate flooring that’s still in good shape or you have new and unused boxes of it, you might be able to get a few bucks. Try online marketplaces or local flea markets—there are plenty of crafty DIYers who may want to use them.
Donate It
Didn’t get any takers when you tried to sell your unwanted laminate flooring? Home improvement-specific charities like Habitat for Humanity Re-Store will accept unused flooring tiles and planks if other local charities do not.
If your local community has a “buy nothing” group, usually found on social media or community groups, you might find some takers.
Hire a Junk Removal Service or Dumpster
If your laminate flooring has been getting trampled in your kitchen since the 70s, it’s probably too old to sell, donate, or recycle. In this case, junk removal might be the way to go. Depending on how much you’ve got to dispose of, renting a dumpster might be a good idea, especially if you have lots of other debris from your renovation.
If it’s just excess laminate flooring that you want to get rid of, and you don’t have time to take it to a waste disposal site, hiring a junk removal service near you could be worth it.
Think about how much junk you need to remove and the amount of manual labor you want to put in yourself while you compare the cost to rent a dumpster and the cost of a junk removal service. You’ll have to do more work with a dumpster, but you’ll have it for about a week, so you can work at your own pace.
Manufacturer Recycling Programs
Most laminate flooring can be recycled by professionals since the contents are mostly wood. If your local recycling center won’t accept it, check with the manufacturer and see if they have a recycling program. Some even come to your home to pick up leftover laminate free of charge, while others have a designated drop-off.
When shopping for laminate flooring, consider more than just the pattern and price. It might be worth paying a little more if the manufacturer has a convenient recycling program.
Upcycle Into Furniture and Crafts
Laminate flooring can’t be burned like wood since it has a toxic outer coating. But it can be used a lot like wood to be repurposed into useful and decorative items.
A new tabletop, a shoe rack, funky statuettes, coasters, and shelving units—all of them can be crafted from leftover laminate flooring tiles with the right tools and creative ingenuity.