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How to Recycle Appliances
Large household appliances recycled for steel, copper, and motors. Fridges and freezers also need refrigerant recovery under Clean Air Act Section 608 rules. None of these go in weekly curbside bins.
13 materials covered13 recyclable
Refrigerators
Full-size refrigerators and freezers: steel cabinets plus regulated refrigerant and compressor oil that the final disposer must recover under Clean Air Act Section 608.
Learn how to recycle Refrigerators
Washing Machines
Residential washers recycled as white goods / ferrous scrap: heavy cabinet, drum, and motor with no Section 608 refrigerant recovery step.
Learn how to recycle Washing Machines
Microwaves
Countertop and over-the-range microwaves best handled as electronics/e-waste; steel casing is scrap metal only when capacitor rules are met.
Learn how to recycle Microwaves
Dishwashers
Built-in and portable dishwashers that must be disconnected and drained before haul-away or scrap; more plastic than washers, so scrap value is often lower.
Learn how to recycle Dishwashers
Clothes Dryers
Electric and gas clothes dryers containing steel cabinets, motors, wiring, controls, and reusable parts.
Learn how to recycle Clothes Dryers
Ranges, Ovens & Stoves
Freestanding and built-in cooking appliances made mainly from steel, glass, wiring, insulation, and controls.
Learn how to recycle Ranges, Ovens & Stoves
Freezers
Chest and upright freezers containing refrigerant, compressor oil, insulated foam, metals, plastics, and electronic controls.
Learn how to recycle Freezers
Room Air Conditioners
Window, through-wall, and portable room air conditioners containing refrigerant, oil, copper, aluminum, steel, and controls.
Learn how to recycle Room Air Conditioners
Dehumidifiers
Portable and whole-room dehumidifiers with a refrigerant loop, compressor, electronics, and recyclable metals.
Learn how to recycle Dehumidifiers
Water Heaters
Tank and tankless water heaters containing steel, copper, brass, controls, and sometimes refrigerant in heat-pump models.
Learn how to recycle Water Heaters
Vacuum Cleaners
Corded, cordless, robot, and shop vacuums combine plastics, metal, motors, filters, and sometimes lithium-ion batteries.
Learn how to recycle Vacuum Cleaners
Coffee Makers
Drip machines, single-serve brewers, espresso machines, and electric kettles combine heating elements, electronics, plastics, and sometimes glass.
Learn how to recycle Coffee Makers
Air Purifiers
Plug-in air purifiers, fan units, HEPA and carbon filters, and smart models with electronics or rechargeable components.
Learn how to recycle Air Purifiers
Appliances recycling overview
Start with the right channel: utility rebate and pickup programs (strongest for working second refrigerators and freezers), then retailer haul-away when a replacement is delivered, municipal bulky or white-goods collection, scrap yards for metal-heavy washers and dishwashers, and electronics/e-waste drop-off for microwaves. Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners hold refrigerant and compressor oil that the final disposer must recover before shredding. You do not need an EPA Section 608 sticker yourself. Prefer a scheduled pickup over leaving a sealed fridge on the curb indefinitely; EPA warns peddlers may vent refrigerant or dump unsafely. Call2Recycle is battery- and phone-focused, not a primary path for these appliances.
Common items
- • Refrigerators and freezers
- • Washing machines and dryers
- • Dishwashers and garbage disposals
- • Microwaves and ovens
- • Air conditioners and dehumidifiers
- • Water heaters and furnaces
- • Small kitchen appliances
- • Vacuum cleaners and fans
- • Exercise equipment with motors
- • Power tools and lawn equipment
Before drop-off
- 1. Empty food, racks, and personal items; wipe spills dry
- 2. Shut off water and power; disconnect supply lines before anyone moves the unit
- 3. Search your electric utility for a fridge or freezer recycling rebate before scrap or haul-away (many require a working unit)
- 4. Do not vent, cut, or bleed refrigerant yourself; use a program or recycler that recovers it
- 5. Donate working units when a reuse outlet accepts them; recycle non-working ones
- 6. Get help moving full-size appliances; they are heavy and awkward
- 7. Ask the recycler whether fridge doors should be taped shut or removed
Environmental benefits
- • Refrigerant and compressor oil recovered before refrigerated cabinets are shredded (Clean Air Act Section 608 safe-disposal rules)
- • Steel cabinets and copper tubing go to scrap for remelt
- • EPA estimates 11-13 million refrigerated household appliances reach end-of-life each year in the U.S.; scheduled pickup beats curb dumping
- • ENERGY STAR: an average fridge 10+ years old holds more than 120 lb of recyclable steel
- • Recycling steel uses roughly 70% less energy than making new steel from ore (same figure as our energy-saved chart)
Practical and economic benefits
- • Utility rebate or bounty programs often pay to retire working second fridges and freezers
- • Scrap yards commonly pay for washers, dryers, and dishwashers by ferrous weight (markets fluctuate; haul cost can exceed payout)
- • Retailer haul-away is usually cheapest when you already paid for delivery of a replacement (often around $50; confirm at checkout)
- • Working units can be donated to Habitat ReStore or local reuse nonprofits when accepted
Local rules vary
Utilities in many states still run fridge and freezer turn-in programs with free pickup and a bill credit or cash bounty; eligibility often requires the unit to still work. Some cities will not collect a refrigerated appliance on bulky trash day until refrigerant is recovered. Scrap yards often pay for washers and dryers but may refuse or charge for sealed refrigerant units unless they handle recovery. Microwaves are commonly routed through e-waste programs rather than scrap-only drop-off.
Find appliances recycling centers
Search recycling centers by city or ZIP, then call ahead to confirm they take appliances.