How to Get Rid of Old Appliances: Every Disposal Option Ranked by Cost

How to Get Rid of Old Appliances: Every Disposal Option Ranked

You just bought a new refrigerator. The delivery crew dropped it off and left. Now you're standing in the kitchen staring at the old one with no plan for how to get rid of it.

I've been here three times — fridge, washer, and dishwasher. Each time I learned a better way to handle it. Here's every option ranked from cheapest to most convenient.

Option 1: Retailer Haul-Away (Best Option — $0-50)

Most appliance retailers offer haul-away of your old unit when they deliver the new one.

Why this is the best option: The delivery crew has the truck, the manpower, and the equipment. They're already at your house. No scheduling a second service, no waiting, no lifting a 300-lb fridge yourself.

Order the haul-away when you buy the appliance. Don't try to add it at delivery — they may not have room on the truck.

Option 2: Donate It (Free)

If the appliance still works, donate it. You get a tax deduction and the appliance gets a second life.

Who takes working appliances:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore — accepts all working appliances, often picks up for free
• Salvation Army — free pickup for working large appliances in most areas
• Goodwill — some locations accept appliances, call first
• Local charities and shelters — many need working appliances
• Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist "Free" section — post it and someone will come get it within hours

The tax angle: A working used refrigerator is worth $100-300 for donation purposes. At a 22% tax bracket, that's $22-66 back. Get a dated receipt with the item description.

Only donate appliances that actually work. Charities don't want broken units — they'll have to pay to dispose of them, which costs them money.

Option 3: Scrap Metal Recycling ($0-50 earned)

Old appliances are mostly steel, copper, and aluminum — all valuable scrap metals.

What scrap yards pay:

• Refrigerator: $15-30
• Washer: $10-20
• Dryer: $10-20
• Dishwasher: $5-15
• Oven/Range: $15-25

Two approaches:

• Self-haul to scrap yard: Load it in a truck, drive to the yard, they weigh it and pay you. (Free — they pay you)
• Call a scrapper: Post on Craigslist or Facebook: "Free [appliance] — come get it." Scrap metal collectors will pick it up for free because they profit from the metal.

Refrigerators and AC units require special handling — they contain refrigerant (freon) which must be recovered by a certified technician before scrapping. Most scrap yards handle this, but some charge $20-40 for the recovery.

Option 4: Municipal Bulk Pickup (Free-$50)

Most cities offer bulk pickup for large items including appliances.

How it works:

• Call your city's waste department or visit their website
• Schedule a pickup date (usually 1-2 weeks out)
• Set the appliance at the curb on pickup day
• Some cities are free, others charge $25-50 per item

Limitations:

• Scheduling can take 1-2 weeks
• Refrigerators may require proof that refrigerant was removed
• Some cities limit bulk pickups to 2-4 per year
• You need to get the appliance to the curb yourself

Option 5: Utility Company Recycling Programs (Free + Rebate)

Many electric utilities offer free pickup and recycling of old refrigerators and freezers — and they'll pay you a rebate on top of it.

Why: Old fridges use 3-5x more electricity than new Energy Star models. Utilities save more on reduced grid demand than the recycling costs.

Typical deal: Free pickup + $25-75 rebate check

Search "[your electric utility] appliance recycling program" or check energystar.gov for programs in your area.

Option 6: Junk Removal Service ($75-200)

Full service — they come, they load it, they haul it. You don't touch anything.

Cost by appliance:

When it's worth it:

• The appliance is in a basement or upstairs (stairs + weight = dangerous for non-professionals)
• You have multiple appliances to remove at once
• You physically can't move it yourself
• You need it gone today (most services offer same-day)

Option 7: Dumpster Rental ($250-400)

A dumpster makes sense when you're getting rid of appliances as part of a larger project — kitchen remodel, estate cleanout, or whole-house renovation.

Don't rent a dumpster for a single appliance — it's overkill and more expensive than every other option above.

When a dumpster makes sense: You're removing 3+ appliances plus other renovation debris. A 10-yard dumpster handles multiple appliances plus cabinets, flooring, and other demo materials.

Important: Remove doors from refrigerators and freezers before putting them in a dumpster. This is a safety requirement — a child could become trapped. Most operators require it.

[Compare dumpster rental prices in your city](/dumpster-rental) if you're doing a larger cleanup.

Option 8: Appliance-Specific Disposal

Some appliances have special disposal requirements:

Refrigerators and Freezers

• Refrigerant must be recovered by a certified technician (EPA requirement)
• Don't cut refrigerant lines yourself — it's illegal and harmful
• Most recycling programs and scrap yards handle this automatically

Washers and Dryers

• Drain all water from washers before moving
• Disconnect gas dryers properly (cap the gas line — this is not optional)
• No special disposal requirements beyond standard appliance recycling

Dishwashers

• Disconnect water supply and drain line
• No special disposal requirements
• Often small enough for curbside bulk pickup

Ovens and Ranges

• Gas ranges: have the gas line professionally capped before removal
• Self-cleaning ovens may contain asbestos insulation (pre-1980s) — get tested before demo
• Electric ranges: disconnect the 240V outlet (turn off the breaker first)

The Decision Tree

Don't Do This

• Don't leave appliances on the curb without scheduling pickup — most cities fine for illegal dumping ($200-500)
• Don't cut refrigerant lines — it's an EPA violation with fines up to $44,539 per day
• Don't put appliances with doors still attached in a dumpster — child entrapment risk + operator will refuse the load
• Don't try to carry a refrigerator down stairs alone — they weigh 200-350 lbs. This is how people get hurt.