The Practical Disposal Path
Most old carpet goes to a landfill. The most efficient process: cut into strips, roll them up, schedule haul-off. If you are replacing the carpet yourself, pre-roll it while the new flooring is being installed and have a pickup ready for the same day or next day so the rolls do not sit in your garage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old carpet be donated?
In most cases no -- charities do not accept used carpet because of hygiene concerns and the difficulty of assessing condition. Clean, unused carpet remnants may occasionally be donated, but removed carpet with years of foot traffic is almost universally declined.
How is carpet disposed of?
Old carpet goes to a transfer station or landfill in most cases. Some regions have nylon carpet recycling programs, but these are not available everywhere. Check carpet-recycling programs like Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) for participating recyclers in your area.
Do I need to cut carpet before haul-off?
Rolling or cutting carpet into 3-foot-wide strips makes loading significantly faster. If you have carpet pre-cut and rolled before the crew arrives, the job typically takes less time and may be priced at a lower rate for haul-only service.