Moving out of Leuven? What to do with your furniture
Leaving your student room in Leuven? Having bulky waste collected costs money in Leuven and only happens once a month - giving things away free saves both money and time. Below is what the city and the university themselves say, with the source next to every rule.
Please note: this guide is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. yeybu is not part of, or affiliated with, the city or the organisations named here. Fees, fines, opening hours and rules are set by them and can change at any time; the official page always prevails. No rights can be derived from this page.
When students move in Leuven
Most rooms come free around the end of June; start sorting out what to give away a few weeks before.
Give it away free
What still works can make someone else happy. On yeybu you can see what is being given away free in Leuven, and post something yourself for free.
Bulky-waste collection (paid)
- Bulky-waste collection costs money and is requested in advance, online or by phone. The city collects once a month and lets you know the date. (City of Leuven - bulky refuse collection, 2026-10-06)
- You pay a fixed €16 plus an amount per item, for example €10.50 for a single bed or a table, €21 for a two-seat sofa, €32 for a three-seater. Other things: €10.50 per started 0.5 m³. A dry mattress costs nothing extra. (City of Leuven - bulky refuse collection, 2026-10-06)
- The city's tip: take a wardrobe or desk apart; that reduces the volume and you pay less. (City of Leuven - bulky refuse collection, 2026-10-06)
- Not collected: among others electrical appliances, building waste, bags or boxes filled with waste, glass, textiles and pruning waste. (City of Leuven - bulky refuse collection, 2026-10-06)
Taking it yourself, and repairs
- Leuven's recycling park is at Diestsesteenweg 504, 3010 Kessel-Lo. (EcoWerf - Leuven, 2026-10-06)
- At EcoWerf's Repair Cafés, tools and materials are available to repair broken things yourself, with or without help. (EcoWerf - Leuven, 2026-10-06)
Free in Leuven right now
Everything being given away free in Leuven
Timeline
- 6 weeks before you move: decide what you take, what you give away and what has to go - the city only collects once a month.
- 4 weeks before: post what you give away free online, with photos, sizes and when it can be collected.
- 3 weeks before: request a collection for what nobody wants, and take wardrobes apart to pay less.
- Broken? Try a Repair Café first.
- The week before: take the rest to the recycling park in Kessel-Lo.
Frequently asked questions
Is bulky-waste collection free in Leuven?
No. You pay €16 plus an amount per item or volume, for example €32 for a three-seat sofa.
How often does the city collect bulky waste?
Once a month. After your request the city lets you know the date.
How do I pay less?
Take furniture apart to reduce the volume - or give it away free, and you pay nothing.
Every rule above comes from the official source named next to it and was checked on the date shown. Rules can change: if in doubt, check the source.