How to Recycle Vacuum Cleaners
Corded, cordless, robot, and shop vacuums combine plastics, metal, motors, filters, and sometimes lithium-ion batteries.
Quick answer
Do not put a vacuum cleaner in a standard recycling bin. Donate a working unit, or ask an appliance or electronics recycler whether it accepts your model; remove a detachable battery for separate battery recycling when the manufacturer instructs you to. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
How to Prepare
- 1Empty dust and debris into the trash and remove the bag or filter
- 2Check whether a local appliance or e-waste drop-off accepts vacuums
- 3Follow manufacturer instructions for a removable rechargeable battery and protect its terminals
- 4Keep the machine and its battery out of ordinary mixed recycling
Where to Recycle
- Repair or donation outlet for a working vacuum
- Appliance or e-waste recycler that explicitly accepts vacuums
- Battery recycling program for removable packs
- Bulky trash route if no recycler accepts the unit
Special Instructions
Robot vacuums and cordless models contain batteries that can start fires if crushed. Do not pry open a sealed battery pack; ask the manufacturer or an approved e-waste collector for help. Municipal rules differ widely, including whether corded vacuums are collected as scrap, e-waste, or bulky trash.
Environmental Impact
Reuse extends the life of the motor and housing. Specialty processing can recover metals and manage batteries safely.
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Complete vacuums at facilities that list them
- Removable batteries through a battery-specific program
Not Accepted
- Vacuums in ordinary curbside recycling
- Rechargeable batteries in trash or metal scrap
FAQs
Is a robot vacuum e-waste?
It has electronics and a rechargeable battery; check an e-waste collector that lists robotic vacuums and follow battery instructions.
Can I sell a broken vacuum for scrap?
Only if a local scrap yard accepts the whole unit or a separated motor. Ask first; many do not take plastic-heavy appliances.
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