Hauler loading curbside junk into pickup truck in a neighborhood

Appliance Recycling in Chicago, Illinois

$79 Flat Rate for Single Items

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.

948+

Cities Covered

39

States Served

Same-Day

Pickup Available

$50

No-Show Guarantee

How appliance removal works in Chicago

1

Curb it

Place your appliance at the curb, driveway, or alley. No wrapping, no disassembly.

2

Book it

Select your item, see the exact price ($104), and pick your day. 60 seconds.

3

Gone

A local insured hauler picks it up same-day in Chicago. 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 Chicago?

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.

$104

Flat rate · No hidden fees · Price guaranteed

Pickup fee$79
First applianceIncluded
Appliance recycling fee+$25
Each additional appliance+$29 + $25
Book appliance pickup — $104

✓ 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 Chicago

Compared by cost, speed, and effort — pick the right option for your situation.

MethodCostSpeedEffortBest for
City bulk pickupFree2–9 weeksSchedule ahead. Many cities accept appliances but require Freon to be professionally removed first. Strict weight limits apply.You can wait weeks and your city accepts appliances
Retailer haul-away (Home Depot, Lowe’s)Free–$50Same day as deliveryOnly available when buying a new appliance. Old one must be disconnected and accessible. Not all retailers offer this in all areas.You're buying a replacement and the retailer offers haul-away
Self-haul to recycling center$30–80Same dayNeed a truck. Appliances are extremely heavy (150–300+ lbs). Most people need help loading. Must find a certified recycling facility.You have a truck, a helper, and a nearby recycling center
Traditional junk removal (1-800-GOT-JUNK, etc.)$200–600+2–3 daysMust be home for in-person estimate. Crew enters your home and can disconnect for you. Higher price reflects full-service approach.Appliance is in a tight space and you need full-service removal
Dropcurb$104Same dayDisconnect and place at curb or garage apron. Book online in 60 seconds. $25 recycling fee included. No Freon removal needed — our recyclers handle it.You want it gone today without the heavy lifting

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 Chicago?

  • 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 Chicago pick up appliances?

Chicago's 2.7 million residents use Large Object Pickup on demand with 1-2 week waits and free service. While responsive for a major city, the sheer volume creates scheduling delays across Lincoln Park and Wicker Park neighborhoods.

City program details: Large Object Pickup. Frequency: On demand. Wait: 1-2 weeks. Fees: free

Multiple city transfer stations charge $40-60 per self-haul load across different locations. 1-800-GOT-JUNK operates extensively but starts at $150+ with 2-3 day scheduling in busy markets.

Dropcurb picks up appliances same-day in Chicago for $104 flat — no wait, no annual limits, no restrictions.

2.7 million people, one pickup system - do the math on wait times.

Logan Square and River North residents compete with millions for Chicago's bulk pickup slots. Even 'on-demand' service takes 1-2 weeks when everyone's demanding at once.

3 items

per pickup maximum

4 times

annual pickup limit

1-2 weeks

scheduling wait time

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 Chicago residents choose Dropcurb for appliance removal

Chicago's free Large Object Pickup still requires 1-2 week waits despite on-demand requests. Dropcurb's same-day service for $79 cuts through city scheduling and eliminates transfer station trips.

Serving Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, River North, Pilsen, Ukrainian Village, and 4 more neighborhoods in Chicago.

Appliance removal questions in Chicago

Appliance Recycling nearby

Same-day appliance pickup near Chicago.

Same-day pickup available

It's been sitting there
long enough.

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