Reader Question: Is it true that companies must take away an old sofa at the same time as delivering a new one? Do I have to buy it from the same company that sold me the original?
When buying new furniture, such as a sofa, cabinet, or bookshelf, it is common for larger retailers to offer a delivery service and bring it to your home.
As part of updates to anti-waste laws, those offering this service are also, as of last year, required to collect old furniture being replaced, free of charge, as long as certain requirements are met.
The furniture you are replacing should be similar in number and type, according to the Environmental Code. It should be of roughly the same size and kind, for example, a double bed replacing a double bed.
In this case, retailers are obliged to collect the old piece at the same time as delivering the new one, even if your previous furniture did not come from their store.
The items are then donated to charity, if in a good condition or repairable, or otherwise are recycled.
This applies both to products purchased in store (to be delivered at a later date) and those purchased online.
However, despite this rule coming into force in January 2022, some retailers reportedly do not comply with the rule, or introduce other rules not provided for by law.
Note that the rule only applies to larger retailers that have a retail surface of at least 200m2 devoted to this type of product, and/or firms that offer such products for delivery and have at least €100,000 annual sales in relation to them.
All larger chains selling furniture should be subject to this.
If you buy an item in-store and do not not have delivery, the shop is also obliged to take away an old item, if you wish.
Collection ‘at point of delivery’
The Environmental Code states that, bearing in mind the points mentioned above, “used products are taken at the point of delivery…at no cost to the holder,” when companies deliver a new piece of furniture to a home.
It says, however, firms can propose an alternative; that the customer takes the item to a “local collection point”, “in the case of products that can be transported without equipment”, ie. smaller pieces. Sofas would not generally be considered as such.
Despite this, some firms have been adding additional rules and interpretations.
For example La Redoute says it only offers the service for items above 40kg while Conforama refuses items under 30kg and with one of their dimensions (height, width, length) less than 150cm.
Some companies also reportedly say they will not collect items if they come from homes in a block of flats without a lift or if your home is located above a certain floor.
Ikea says on its website that pieces should be ‘dismantled’. It also states that they should be ‘voluminous’, defined as having total length+width+height of more than 200cm. Furthermore the item being purchased should not be booked with an ‘Express’ delivery service.
Items liable to be a risk to employees’ health and safety will also be refused, Ikea states.
Leading consumer magazine 60Millions de Consommateurs said a number of people wanting to use the service with Ikea have reported being refused.
“The delivery people refused to collect the old sofa because it had not been dismantled,” said one person named Sébastian.
A number of other people said delivery drivers refused to take old furniture with them for reasons including “not having space in their truck” or because the item “wasn’t packed up”.
One expert cited by 60Millions de Consommateurs said rules such as ‘dismantling’ or the ‘Express delivery’ ban did not appear to be in the spirit of the law.
“If each firm makes its own exceptions and applies the law in an à la carte way, consumers are not be able to understand their rights,” said Laetitia Vasseur of Hop, a charity in the ‘circular economy’ sector.
Read more: How to dispose of different waste items in France
What can I do to ensure my furniture will be collected?
You should let the firm know this in advance so it can plan for space in trucks. Ideally let them know on which floor you live and if there is a lift.
If possible obtain written (email) confirmation from the retailer that deliverers will pick up your old furniture before the delivery date.
You can ask if there are additional requirements, such as dismantling the furniture or wrapping it in protective material.
If collection is not possible, bear in mind that some town councils will offer curbside pick ups for larger pieces of old furniture. This will need to be arranged in advance.
These services usually come in the evening, and ask that you place the furniture on the street outside your property. Ask your mairie if it offers ramassage en bordure de rue service for large items (encombrants).
If a company does not collect your item when you believe they should have, you may also wish to lodge a complaint using the official SignalConso service.
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