12.08M
tons generated
The U.S. generated 12.08 million tons of furniture and furnishings in the municipal waste stream in 2018.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, 2018.Research reference
U.S. Furniture and Furnishings Waste Statistics
Clear, citable figures on what happens to furniture and furnishings after use, plus a current view of the U.S. furniture retail market.
Last updated August 11, 2026
At a glance
Furniture has a long life before it becomes waste.
The figures below keep two different parts of the story separate. EPA data tracks the furniture and furnishings that enter the municipal waste stream. Census retail data tracks current sales at furniture and home furnishings stores.
That distinction matters. A well-made piece can be repaired, rewired, refinished, donated, or passed on before it ever reaches a landfill. Re. restores vintage pieces for exactly that kind of useful next chapter.
Citable statistics
Furniture and furnishings in the U.S. waste stream.
9.68M
tons landfilled
EPA reports that 9.68 million tons of furniture and furnishings were landfilled in 2018.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, 2018.80.1%
of the stream landfilled
This rate is calculated from EPA's 2018 totals: 9.68 million tons landfilled out of 12.08 million tons generated.
Source: Calculated from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, 2018.40K
tons recycled
EPA recorded 40,000 tons of furniture and furnishings recycled in 2018, a figure that excludes reuse outside the municipal waste stream.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, 2018.2.36M
tons used for energy recovery
EPA reports that 2.36 million tons of furniture and furnishings went to combustion with energy recovery in 2018.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, 2018.Current market snapshot
Furniture-store sales in 2026.
These estimates cover U.S. furniture and home furnishings stores. They are not a measure of all home-decor spending, but they offer a timely reference point for the dedicated retail category.
$11.3B
June 2026 store sales
Furniture and home furnishings stores reported an estimated $11.3 billion in sales in June 2026.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, June 2026, released August 11, 2026.$65.13B
sales from January through June
For the first six months of 2026, furniture and home furnishings store sales were estimated at $65.128 billion, 2.0% below the same period in 2025.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, June 2026, released August 11, 2026.How to read these figures
Useful context for writers, shoppers, and collectors.
Waste data has a lag
EPA's detailed material estimates are published after collection and analysis, so 2018 is the latest furniture-and-furnishings material-flow year in this EPA reference. The source year is shown with every related statistic.
Recycling is not the same as reuse
The EPA recycling figure measures material recycling in the municipal waste stream. It does not count every antique, secondhand, repaired, donated, or resold piece that stays in use.
Sales figures move monthly
The Census estimate is a current retail snapshot. It is included with its report month and release date, so the number can be updated cleanly when the next relevant report is available.
Methodology and sources
Where the numbers come from.
This page compiles public figures from the agencies named below. Each statistic links to its source, and calculated percentages state the underlying figures used.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, 2018. EPA's table reports generation, recycling, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling for furniture and furnishings.
Read the sourceU.S. Census Bureau
Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, June 2026. Table 1 reports estimated sales for furniture and home furnishings stores.
Read the sourceCite this page
Re. Heritage Home Decor. "U.S. Furniture and Furnishings Waste Statistics." Updated August 11, 2026. https://restore-refurbish.com/furniture-waste-statistics
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