Appliance Recycling in Nashville, TN: Where to Recycle, Costs & Freon Rules [2026]

Davidson County residents have multiple pathways for appliance disposal and recycling. The right option depends on whether your appliance contains refrigerant, whether it still works, and how quickly you need it gone.

Refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, and dehumidifiers contain refrigerant (commonly called Freon) that must be recovered by an EPA-certified technician before the appliance can be scrapped or landfilled. Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, venting refrigerant is a federal violation carrying fines up to $44,539 per day per violation.

In Nashville, this means you cannot simply drop a refrigerator at the Omohundro Convenience Center unless a certified technician has already recovered the refrigerant and tagged the unit. Metro Nashville bulk pickup will collect refrigerators and freezers, but availability is limited and wait times are longer for Freon units due to the recovery requirement.

Professional removal services handle this for you. Dropcurb coordinates certified Freon recovery as part of the pickup process — you do not need to arrange anything separately. The cost for Freon-containing appliances is typically $99–$149 depending on size, which includes the recovery certification. Full-service companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK charge $150–$250 for the same service.

If you want to handle Freon recovery yourself, several Nashville HVAC companies offer the service for $50–$100 per unit. After recovery, you will receive a certificate that allows disposal at any facility.

Nashville Electric Service (NES) operates an appliance recycling program that pays you to recycle qualifying appliances. If you have a working refrigerator or freezer that is at least 10 years old and between 10 and 30 cubic feet, NES will pick it up for free and give you a $50 rebate on your electric bill. The program is designed to retire energy-inefficient units — a refrigerator from 2010 uses roughly 40% more electricity than a current Energy Star model, so NES saves money on grid demand by getting old units out of service.

To qualify, you must be a current NES residential customer, the appliance must be plugged in and working at the time of pickup, and you are limited to two units per household per year. Schedule through the NES website or call (615) 736-6900. Pickup typically occurs within 1–2 weeks. This is the best option if you have a working but outdated fridge or freezer — you get paid instead of paying.

Non-Freon appliances like washers, dryers, stoves, and dishwashers have scrap metal value. Several Nashville-area recyclers will accept them and may pay you for the metal.

PSC Metals Nashville at 1300 South Second Street buys scrap appliances by weight. Expect $5–$25 per appliance depending on size and current steel prices. They require Freon certification for any cooling units.

Rock City Recycling at 734 Massman Drive accepts appliances and other scrap metal. They operate a drive-up scale and pay based on current market rates.

M&M Recycling at 929 Main Street accepts household appliances for recycling. Call ahead for current pricing and hours.

All scrap recyclers require you to transport the appliance yourself, which limits this option to people with trucks or trailers. For most Nashville residents, the transportation cost and time investment exceeds the scrap value — a $15 payout does not justify renting a truck and spending two hours. Professional pickup makes more financial sense unless you are already hauling other scrap.

Removal costs vary based on appliance type, weight, and whether Freon recovery is required.

Refrigerators and freezers: $99–$249. The Freon recovery requirement adds $20–$70 to base removal cost. Dropcurb charges $99–$149 including Freon handling. Full-service companies charge $150–$250.

Washers and dryers: $79–$200. No Freon concerns. These are among the most straightforward appliances to remove. Dropcurb charges $79 per unit.

Dishwashers: $79–$175. If already disconnected and pulled from the cabinet, these are simple removals. If still installed, full-service companies charge extra for disconnection ($25–$50).

Stoves and ovens: $79–$200. Gas stoves must be disconnected by a licensed professional before removal — never attempt to disconnect a gas line yourself. Electric stoves just need to be unplugged and pulled out.

Window AC units: $79–$149. Contain Freon but are small enough for single-person handling. Dropcurb charges $79 for window units.

Water heaters: $79–$200. Must be drained and disconnected before removal. Electric units are straightforward; gas units require professional disconnection.

Proper preparation speeds up removal and may reduce costs. For all appliances: unplug the unit at least 24 hours before pickup, remove all contents (food from fridges, clothes from washers), and secure any loose doors with tape. For refrigerators and freezers: defrost completely and remove standing water. Wet units are heavier and create slip hazards. For washers: run an empty drain cycle to remove residual water. Disconnect water supply lines if accessible. For gas appliances: do not disconnect the gas line yourself — hire a licensed plumber or have your gas company cap the line before the appliance is moved. For curbside pickup with Dropcurb, move the appliance to the curb or driveway. Use an appliance dolly if available, or lay down cardboard to slide heavy units across floors without damage.