Appliance Recycling in San Mateo, California
Starting at $79. Additional items from $19.
Getting rid of an old refrigerator, washer, dryer, or stove comes down to five options: city bulk pickup (free but restricted), retailer haul-away (free–$50 with a new purchase), self-haul to a recycling center ($30–80), curbside pickup through Dropcurb ($104, same day), or traditional junk removal ($200–600+). Appliance disposal is more regulated than furniture because of refrigerants, oils, and heavy metals.
Same-day pickup available — book by 12pm for today's window
948+
Cities Covered
39
States Served
Same-Day
Pickup Available
$50
No-Show Guarantee
How appliance removal works in San Mateo
Curb it
Place your appliance at the curb, driveway, or alley. No wrapping, no disassembly.
Book it
Select your item, see the exact price ($104), and pick your day. 60 seconds.
Gone
A local insured hauler picks it up same-day in San Mateo. You get a text when it's done.
No strangers in your home. No scheduling a 4-hour window. No being home.
How much does appliance removal cost in San Mateo?
Appliance removal costs $104 through Dropcurb — that's the $79 pickup fee plus a $25 appliance recycling fee. Each additional appliance is +$54 ($29 add-on + $25 recycling). A washer/dryer set costs $158 total. Heavy appliances like refrigerators and stoves start at $134 ($109 heavy pickup + $25 recycling). Traditional companies charge $200–$600+ for appliance removal because of the weight and disposal requirements.
Flat rate · No hidden fees · Price guaranteed
✓ Price guaranteed before you book. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Traditional junk removal (1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp): $150–$600+
5 ways to get rid of an appliance in San Mateo
Compared by cost, speed, and effort — pick the right option for your situation.
How to prepare your appliance for pickup
- ✓ Place appliance at the curb or garage apron. Disconnect from power and water lines first. Tape doors shut on washers and dryers.
- ✓ Place at curb, driveway, or alley
- ✓ No need to be home
When do you need appliance removal in San Mateo?
- • New appliance arriving and old one needs to go
- • Remodeling kitchen or laundry room
- • Landlord replacing tenant appliances
- • Old appliance broke down and isn't worth repairing
Does San Mateo pick up appliances?
Junk removal in San Mateo, CA starts at $79 with Dropcurb, including same-day curbside pickup in most neighborhoods. With a population of about 103,105 and dense neighborhoods from Downtown San Mateo to Shoreview, residents often need faster options than municipal scheduling windows. Book online in about 60 seconds, set items at the curb, and get photo-confirmed pickup without waiting at home.
City program details: Recology San Mateo County provides 2 free curbside bulky item pickups per calendar year for residential customers. Service is scheduled on your regular collection day and must be arranged in advance by calling (650) 595-3900. Typical limits include 2 cubic yards plus one large item up to 200 pounds; hazardous waste, construction debris, and concrete are not accepted.
San Mateo residents are served by Recology San Mateo County and get two free bulky pickups per year, but scheduling is tied to your regular service day and item limits apply. City guidance for the twice-yearly clean-up highlights caps around 2 cubic yards plus one large item, with exclusions for hazardous waste, concrete, and many renovation materials. In a high-value market where median household income is roughly $153,504 and move/renovation cycles are frequent, those limits create a same-day service gap.
Dropcurb picks up appliances same-day in San Mateo for $104 flat — no wait, no annual limits, no restrictions.
Two free city pickups per year works for planned cleanups, not urgent clutter.
San Mateo's municipal program is valuable but intentionally capped: two bulky appointments yearly, regular-day scheduling, and strict material restrictions. When a lease turnover, remodel, or appliance failure happens outside that window, residents face either high full-service quotes or self-haul trips. Same-day curbside pricing fills that operational gap.
2/year
Free Recology bulky pickups
$153,504
Median household income
103,105
San Mateo population
What happens to your appliance after pickup
Appliances are recycled at licensed facilities that specialize in handling refrigerants, compressor oils, and heavy metals. Refrigerators and freezers undergo certified Freon recovery before processing — the $25 recycling fee covers this. Steel, copper, aluminum, and other metals are separated and sent to scrap processors. Compressors, motors, and wiring are individually processed. Appliances in working condition may be refurbished and resold or donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Why San Mateo residents choose Dropcurb for appliance removal
Dropcurb fills the gap between municipal limits and expensive full-service truck crews by starting at a flat $79 for fast curbside pickups. Instead of waiting for your next Recology window or paying $150+ minimums from national chains, San Mateo customers can book instantly and clear clutter the same day. It is the speed of on-demand service with transparent pricing upfront.
Serving Downtown San Mateo, Baywood-Aragon, Shoreview, Hillsdale, Laurelwood, North Central, and 2 more neighborhoods in San Mateo.
Appliance removal questions in San Mateo
Appliance Recycling nearby
Same-day appliance pickup near San Mateo.
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