How much does refrigerator removal cost?

Refrigerator removal with Dropcurb costs $134 for your first unit. That breaks down as: $79 base pickup fee + $30 heavy-item upgrade (refrigerators are a heavy-tier item) + $25 appliance recycling fee required for EPA-compliant refrigerant disposal. The price is guaranteed before you book — no surprises.

Dropcurb refrigerator pricing:

Why refrigerators cost more to remove than furniture:

Refrigerators contain refrigerant — Freon (R-22) in older units, R-410A in newer ones. Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, refrigerant must be recovered by EPA-certified technicians before a refrigerator can be scrapped or landfilled. It's illegal to simply vent it into the atmosphere. This regulatory requirement is why:

• Most city bulk pickup programs explicitly refuse refrigerators
• Landfills charge extra for appliances with refrigerants
• Junk removal companies add recycling surcharges for refrigerators, AC units, and freezers

The $25 appliance recycling fee with Dropcurb covers EPA-compliant refrigerant extraction and certified recycling.

How refrigerator removal pricing compares:

City bulk pickup and refrigerators — the honest answer:

Most US cities do not accept refrigerators in standard bulk pickup programs because of refrigerant laws. Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Nashville, Denver, and Charlotte all explicitly exclude appliances containing refrigerants from their bulk collection. Las Vegas and Austin do the same. Before counting on free city pickup, call your waste management department — in most markets you'll be turned away.

The exception: some cities run periodic appliance recycling events where certified technicians handle refrigerant extraction. These are free, but happen a few times a year and require transporting the appliance yourself.

The best free option — utility company rebates:

Many electric utilities will pick up your working refrigerator for free and give you a $50–$150 rebate check. They do this because pre-2000 refrigerators use 2–3x more electricity than modern units, and utilities benefit from reducing grid load. Call your electric provider and ask specifically about "appliance recycling programs" or "fridge buyback." APS (Arizona), Xcel Energy (Colorado), Austin Energy (Texas), and many others run these programs. Downside: requires a working, plugged-in refrigerator and typically 2–4 weeks lead time.

How to prepare your refrigerator for curbside pickup:

1. Remove all food and condiments — haulers will not touch a refrigerator with food inside
2. Disconnect the water line if your refrigerator has an ice maker (turn off shutoff valve behind the unit, disconnect the line)
3. Unplug 24 hours before pickup
4. Leave the door slightly open or tape it shut — your preference
5. Place at the curb in an accessible location (not blocked by cars or gates)

Getting a refrigerator to the curb:

Refrigerators weigh 200–400 lbs. Rent an appliance dolly from Home Depot or U-Haul ($10–$20 for 4 hours) — moving a refrigerator without one risks injury and property damage. Two people: one controlling the dolly, one stabilizing from the top. Remove doors if clearance is tight (refrigerator doors are typically attached with 2–3 screws at the top hinge).

Multi-appliance pricing: