Carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs – what to do with them

If you have carpets and rugs that you don’t need any more, there are loads of ways you can dispose of them responsibly.

A rolled up rug

If they're in good condition

  • Sell them online using sites like eBay and Gumtree
  • Put an ad in a local paper or shop window
  • Pass them on to friends or family
  • Give away for free using a platform such as Freecycle, Gumtree or Gively
  • Donate to a charity or re-use organisation – many offer a local collection service

If they've seen better days

  • Local gardening groups might take them off your hands as carpet is useful for insulating compost heaps and keeping weeds at bay on vegetable plots and paths. Wool rich carpets also make a very good mulch.
  • If you’re building a garden pond, use old carpet to line it before you put the pond liner in – it protects the liner from sharp stones
  • Cut to size and use it to protect your car windscreen from frost
  • Check to see if your council offers a collection service or take them to your local recycling centre

Alternatively, carpet shops will take away your old carpet when they fit your new one.