How to Dispose of Your Old Toilet

Replacing your old toilet? Before you haul it to the curb, think twice. Toilets aren’t like other household trash. They’re heavy, bulky, and can actually pose hazards if tossed in the regular garbage. Here’s why:

• Sanitation risk: Trash collectors can get hurt lifting a porcelain toilet.
• Damage risk: Toilets can crack or break in trash trucks, causing extra costs or injuries.
• Legal risk: Many areas don’t allow toilets in curbside trash. You could even face fines.

Properly disposing of a toilet helps you stay safe, follow the law, and reduce your environmental impact. Below are five effective ways to get rid of your toilet, plus the simplest option with a professional junk removal service.

Before disposal, you need to remove your toilet safely. Start by turning off the water supply and draining the tank. Disconnect the water line and remove any remaining water from the bowl. Next, unscrew the mounting bolts holding the toilet to the floor. Toilets are heavy, so lift it carefully and place it on a towel or protective surface to prevent damage.

Uninstalling properly prevents leaks, spills, and injuries, and prepares your toilet for any disposal method you choose.

Once your toilet is out, check your city or county rules. Many municipalities treat toilets as bulk waste and won’t pick them up without an appointment or an extra fee.

Some cities only collect bulky items on certain days, while others require you to haul your old toilet to a transfer station yourself. Search for where to dispose of a toilet near me to find the official guidelines in your area.

One of the simplest ways to get rid of an old toilet is to take it to a local landfill. Landfills accept bulky items like toilets safely and legally, keeping them out of curbside trash.

While this method works, it does require a vehicle large enough to transport the toilet and some physical effort to lift and carry it. Many landfills also charge a small fee for disposal.

On top of that, tossing a porcelain toilet into a landfill isn’t the most eco-friendly option. Toilets don’t break down naturally, so they take up valuable space and can contribute to long-term waste issues

Porcelain and ceramic toilets can often be recycled at specialized centers. Choosing to recycle helps prevent your toilet from ending up in a landfill and allows valuable materials to be reused in construction, landscaping, or even road projects.

To recycle, search for facilities that accept toilets or check municipal programs. Some centers may ask you to break the toilet into smaller pieces before dropping it off.

If your toilet is still in good condition, donating it is a great way to support your community. Many organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, accept working toilets for resale or use in local projects.

Donation gives your old toilet a second life while helping someone in need. Keep in mind that most charities require the toilet to be functional and may expect you to transport it yourself.

For the creatively inclined, your old toilet can be repurposed rather than thrown away. Some ideas include turning it into a garden planter, composting system, or decorative yard feature.

This option is eco-friendly and unique, though it requires time, space, and effort. Not everyone wants a giant porcelain planter in their yard, but for those who do, it’s a fun way to reuse an old item.

Getting rid of an old toilet doesn’t have to be stressful. Landfills, recycling, donations, and DIY projects all take effort, transportation, and time. Toilets are heavy and awkward, and disposal rules can be confusing.

The easiest solution is a professional junk removal service like LoadUp. The team handles everything safely, so you don’t lift a finger or stress about where it goes. Besides toilets, LoadUp can remove furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronics, yard waste, and more. Skip the hassle book LoadUp for fast, stress-free junk removal.

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• What To Do with My Old Trampoline?
• How to Get Rid of Your Basketball Goal
• How to Dispose of Broken Exercise Equipment
• 5 Ways to Dispose of Used Furniture Before Moving and Relocation