Where to Dispose of Old Appliances: 7 Options [2026]

Appliance disposal depends on the type of appliance and how fast you need it gone. Small appliances like microwaves, toasters, and blenders can be dropped off at Best Buy or your local recycling center for free. Large appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers require either a pickup service or a vehicle to transport them.

Utility rebate programs are the best-kept secret for refrigerator and freezer disposal. Many electric utilities will pick up your old fridge for free and pay you a $25-75 rebate. They do this because old refrigerators use 3-5x more electricity than modern ones, so removing them from the grid saves the utility money.

Retailer haul-away is convenient if you are buying a new appliance. Best Buy charges $49.99 for haul-away with a new appliance purchase, or $199.99 for standalone removal of up to 2 large items. Home Depot, Lowes, and most major retailers offer similar services for $25-50 when paired with delivery.

Small appliances like microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and vacuum cleaners can be recycled at several locations for free.

• •Best Buy: Accepts up to 3 small appliances per household per day at any store location, no purchase required
• •Staples: Accepts small electronics and appliances with digital components for free recycling
• •County hazardous waste facilities: Accept small appliances, especially those with batteries or refrigerants
• •Scrap metal recyclers: Many will take small metal appliances for free or pay a small amount for the metal content

Do not place small appliances in your regular recycling bin. They contain motors, wiring, and circuit boards that contaminate the recycling stream and can damage processing equipment.

Refrigerators and freezers require special handling because they contain refrigerant chemicals (Freon or R-134a) that must be professionally recovered before disposal. Releasing refrigerants is a federal violation under the Clean Air Act.

Your electric utility likely offers a free pickup and recycling program. Check your utility website or call their customer service line. Major utilities with active programs include:

• •Duke Energy: Free pickup + $50 rebate per unit
• •Con Edison: Free pickup + $50 rebate
• •Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E): Free pickup + $50 rebate
• •Xcel Energy: Free pickup + $35 rebate
• •ComEd: Free pickup + $75 rebate

These programs typically require the refrigerator to be in working condition and between 10-30 cubic feet. Units must be accessible and plugged in at the time of pickup so the technician can verify they are operational.

Most cities do not collect large appliances with regular trash. You need to schedule a separate bulk pickup, which is free in many cities but can take 2-8 weeks.

Cities with free large appliance bulk pickup include Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, and Jacksonville. Cities that charge a fee include Denver ($31 per item), Chicago ($25 per appliance), and most cities under 100,000 population.

Before placing any appliance at the curb, remove the doors to prevent child entrapment. This is required by federal law for refrigerators and freezers, and many cities require it for all large appliances. Use a screwdriver or socket wrench to remove the hinge pins.

Professional appliance removal costs $60-400+ depending on the method and provider. According to Angi, the average cost for appliance removal is $100, with most homeowners paying between $60 and $180.

Dropcurb charges $79 for same-day curbside appliance pickup. You move the appliance to the curb, a local hauler picks it up within hours. This works for any appliance you can get to the curb: washers, dryers, dishwashers, window AC units, and dehumidifiers.

1-800-GOT-JUNK charges $130-400+ depending on the number of appliances and your location. Their service includes in-home removal, so you do not need to move the appliance yourself. College Hunks Hauling Junk charges similar rates with an additional $99 dispatch fee in many markets.