By T. Lacoma, Family Handyman
Don't try to disassemble appliances for parts or other purposes. Larger appliances may contain dangerous materials, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or poisonous foam insulation. And other appliances could have pilot lights that contain toxic chemicals such as mercury. Stay safe in your home.
In many cases, if the appliance still works or can be repaired, there's someone out there who wants it. So consider placing an ad on Craigslist or another local site, offering the appliance for sale or for anyone to pick it for free. In some neighborhoods, it's customary to put things you want to get rid of on the curb or in the alley with a "FREE" sign. There are some things that you should always get from Craigslist.
If you would rather donate your appliance, The Salvation Army often accepts working appliances and may even offer pick up services. Habitat for Humanity has "ReStores" that will also accept appliances. Also, you may want to check with local charities to see if they accept appliances.
For larger appliances, like washers and dryers, many stores will offer removal services as an option when you are buying a new model. Look for stores that offer a deal for a free removal as part of your upgrade. And stores may try to charge a fee for this service, but bundling it with the price of a new model is common.
Call up your local waste disposal center, landfill, or garbage experts and ask them about pickup services. When asking about how to get rid of your appliance, remember to be specific about what appliance you want removed. And be ready to tell them the year it was manufactured, if they ask. This is often the most expensive option, so make sure to inquire about fees and see if there is any way to save some money.
Utility companies in most states are very good about offering appliance recycling services on their own or through government programs. This is a great option for what to do with old appliances because you can often get a refund, waiver or even cash for doing this. The catch is that utility companies typically only accept refrigerators and freezers. However, some will agree to pickup heating or cooling units, if you leave them out at the same time. Bottom freezer or top freezer?
If you have a truck or other vehicle that can handle the appliance, then you can take it to a disposal center yourself. Just make sure to call them ahead of time and ask if they accept your particular appliance. And appliances with hazardous materials often cannot be buried in landfills. So you may need an alternative for these. Small appliances can sometimes be put in metal recycling bins.
If you have a city trash service, look up the website to see what services they provide and how to get rid of an old refrigerator or other old appliances this way. Some will pick up any appliances that you leave at the curb, although they may charge you an extra fee on your monthly bill. Other cities have specific bulky trash days where they invite you to cart out your appliances for free pickup. This is also a great option for what to do with old appliances.
Dumpster rental services will deliver a temporary dumpster for your old appliances and other trash. Consider this choice if getting rid of your appliance is part of a bigger remodeling project and you'll have a lot of other construction debris to get rid of as well. Many dumpster services will accept appliances, but it's important to look up the details on the types of appliances they take and what sizes are allowed.
See more at: Family Handyman
First, don't take appliances apart
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| © Family Handyman |
Don't try to disassemble appliances for parts or other purposes. Larger appliances may contain dangerous materials, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or poisonous foam insulation. And other appliances could have pilot lights that contain toxic chemicals such as mercury. Stay safe in your home.
Try selling or giving
 |
| © Casimiro PT / Shutterstock |
In many cases, if the appliance still works or can be repaired, there's someone out there who wants it. So consider placing an ad on Craigslist or another local site, offering the appliance for sale or for anyone to pick it for free. In some neighborhoods, it's customary to put things you want to get rid of on the curb or in the alley with a "FREE" sign. There are some things that you should always get from Craigslist.
Donation
 |
| © AlexLMX / Shutterstock |
If you would rather donate your appliance, The Salvation Army often accepts working appliances and may even offer pick up services. Habitat for Humanity has "ReStores" that will also accept appliances. Also, you may want to check with local charities to see if they accept appliances.
Bundle removal with new appliance
 |
| © Family Handyman |
For larger appliances, like washers and dryers, many stores will offer removal services as an option when you are buying a new model. Look for stores that offer a deal for a free removal as part of your upgrade. And stores may try to charge a fee for this service, but bundling it with the price of a new model is common.
Call a service
 |
| © Nitikorn Poonsiri / Shutterstock |
Call up your local waste disposal center, landfill, or garbage experts and ask them about pickup services. When asking about how to get rid of your appliance, remember to be specific about what appliance you want removed. And be ready to tell them the year it was manufactured, if they ask. This is often the most expensive option, so make sure to inquire about fees and see if there is any way to save some money.
Contact your utility company
 |
| © Kite_rin / Shutterstock |
Utility companies in most states are very good about offering appliance recycling services on their own or through government programs. This is a great option for what to do with old appliances because you can often get a refund, waiver or even cash for doing this. The catch is that utility companies typically only accept refrigerators and freezers. However, some will agree to pickup heating or cooling units, if you leave them out at the same time. Bottom freezer or top freezer?
Take it to a disposal center
 |
| © Juanan Barros Moreno / Shutterstock |
If you have a truck or other vehicle that can handle the appliance, then you can take it to a disposal center yourself. Just make sure to call them ahead of time and ask if they accept your particular appliance. And appliances with hazardous materials often cannot be buried in landfills. So you may need an alternative for these. Small appliances can sometimes be put in metal recycling bins.
City trash collector
 |
| © Zachary Byer / Shutterstock |
If you have a city trash service, look up the website to see what services they provide and how to get rid of an old refrigerator or other old appliances this way. Some will pick up any appliances that you leave at the curb, although they may charge you an extra fee on your monthly bill. Other cities have specific bulky trash days where they invite you to cart out your appliances for free pickup. This is also a great option for what to do with old appliances.
Rent a dumpster
 |
| © ungvar / Shutterstock |
Dumpster rental services will deliver a temporary dumpster for your old appliances and other trash. Consider this choice if getting rid of your appliance is part of a bigger remodeling project and you'll have a lot of other construction debris to get rid of as well. Many dumpster services will accept appliances, but it's important to look up the details on the types of appliances they take and what sizes are allowed.
See more at: Family Handyman
