Old furniture becomes social assistance: Sector 1 launches pilot collection

Scratched sofas, forgotten wardrobes in the closet or offices that no longer fit in the house can receive a second life. Sector 1 City Hall and IKEA Romania have launched a pilot project that combines the reduction of bulky waste with direct support for vulnerable communities – a concrete example of circular economy applied at the local level.

Bucharest has been struggling for years with the problem of bulky waste abandoned near bins, on sidewalks or green spaces. Old furniture often ends up being treated as trash, even though many pieces are still functional and could be used by other people.

The new partnership between Sector 1 City Hall and IKEA Romania aims to change this logic: instead of becoming waste, furniture items are redirected to people who truly need them, reducing pressure on the waste management system and the environment.

How the project works

The collection campaign runs from February 1 to April 30, 2026, at the IKEA Băneasa store. IKEA Family members can bring up to five pieces of furniture per person, including:

• sofas,
• bed frames,
• wardrobes,
• dressers,
• nightstands,
• bookshelves,
• office furniture,
• kitchen or bathroom cabinets,
• chairs,
• tables,
• armchairs
• and coffee tables.

The essential condition: furniture must be in working condition and assembled, so it can be donated directly to others.

Collection takes place in a specially arranged area in the IKEA Băneasa parking lot, from Wednesday to Sunday, between 16:00 – 20:00.

From bulky waste to support for vulnerable communities

The collected furniture is not treated as waste, but as a resource. Distribution of the items is carried out through The General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection, which identifies beneficiaries from vulnerable communities and manages the routing of objects to socially assisted persons.

"This pilot project helps us manage bulky waste more efficiently in Sector 1 and at the same time supports vulnerable communities. The partnership with IKEA highlights how collaboration between local administration and the private sector can generate real benefits for people and the environment" declared the Sector 1 mayor, George Tuță.

The initiative addresses two major urban problems with a single effort: waste management and social exclusion.

Incentive for citizens: vouchers for each item handed in

For each piece of furniture handed over, IKEA offers a physical voucher of 25 lei, with a limit of five vouchers per person.

To receive them, presenting the IKEA Family card is necessary. The vouchers can be used at the IKEA Băneasa store until May 31, 2026, their value being automatically deducted from the total of purchases.

The Deputy Mayor of Sector 1, Iulian Hatmanu, relies on residents' involvement:
" We hope residents will actively participate and thus contribute to a cleaner and more solidaric sector. The habit of recycling will bring benefits to all of us."

Why it matters: the pressure of bulky waste on the city

In Sector 1, bulky waste – old furniture, mattresses, large objects – accounts for about 34% of the total recyclable waste, and around 300 tons of such materials are collected annually.

These figures clearly show that the problem is not marginal. Without dedicated collection systems and reuse alternatives, a large part of these objects end up in the landfill, even though they could be reused.

The pilot project opens an important direction: treating used furniture not as waste, but as a social and material resource. If the model works, it could become a replicable solution in other sectors or cities.