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When it comes time to buy new appliances, figuring out what to do with your old ones can be an unforeseen stressor. Appliances break, they wear out, and sometimes you just want to replace them with something more aesthetically pleasing.
But they’re big, bulky, and can’t just be thrown in the trash and pushed to the curb. So to help you make room for new appliances, we’ve come up with 11 different ways to get rid of old ones.
Reuse them
If your appliances are still in good working order, reuse them. A spare refrigerator in the garage or utility room is useful and can help you keep your main refrigerator more organized, saving you money by preventing food waste.
Even if you don’t use it right away, if you have storage space, keeping a used washer and dryer can help a lot if your new appliances break down.
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Sell them
If your device is still in working order or needs a simple repair, there’s a good chance you can sell it online quickly. Potential buyers are always looking for affordable replacements, and your old device could just be an upgrade for someone else.
Where to buy household appliances:
- Online (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, etc.)
- Garage Sale/Door Sales
- Apps (OfferUp, Letgo, etc.)
Take them away
If you have friends or family members who need it, consider giving away your old devices. Selling to strangers can be a hassle, so giving away your used devices to someone you know may cost you a little money, but save you a lot of time and energy.
Donate them
Even if you don’t know anyone who could use your old equipment, there are plenty of people and charities who would appreciate your donation.
Please consider the following donation options:
- Homeless Shelter
- Church
- Charity organization
- Non-profit organization
- Outreach Program
- Cheap store
- Food Bank
Here are some devices that can be great sources of donations:
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Washing machine
- Dryer
Recycle them
Recycling your old appliances is a great option if they are broken beyond repair. In fact, some metal recycling centers will even pay you by the pound for your appliances, allowing you to make a little extra money.
Here are some places you can commonly recycle household appliances:
- Scrap Metal Recycling Center
- Home appliance store
- Service company
Here are some of the best appliances to recycle:
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Stove
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Microwave oven
- Dehumidifiers
- Air conditioning and heating
- Water heater
- Dishwasher
- Bread oven
- Air fryer
- Griller
- Frying pan
Some appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, may need to have their refrigerant removed or recovered before they can be recycled. Contact your recycling center first to find out their requirements.
In some cases, it may be best to dispose of refrigeration equipment at a Responsible Equipment Disposal (RAD) facility.
Exchange them in
Many appliance dealers offer trade-in programs for your old appliance if you purchase a new appliance from them. Some of these programs include free pick-up of your old appliance at the time of delivery, while others may require you to bring your appliance to them.
Contact Your Utility Company
Many utility companies offer appliance recycling programs and will arrange for pickup of items like refrigerators and freezers. Some will even pay you or give you a credit on your utility bill.
Rent a dumpster
If you don’t have the physical means to dispose of your old equipment, consider renting a roll-off dumpster or dumpster. You can dispose of the equipment and any other bulky items while you’re at it, just be sure to check with the rental company about what can and can’t go in the dumpster.
Warning
Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners contain toxic substances that can be harmful to the environment. Always check local regulations for safe disposal instructions.
Call for home appliance service
If you don’t have anything else to throw away, it may be more cost-effective to contact a home appliance removal service that will schedule a pickup of your old appliances. While you’ll have to pay for this service, it could save you a major headache (and backache).
Drag it away
if you DO have the physical means to dispose of your equipment yourself, such as a truck or trailer, towing it to an appropriate disposal center. Many locations allow you to simply back up your truck and throw the equipment out, then they handle the rest.
Warning
Not all waste disposal facilities accept appliances, so find out before you go.
Even if you don’t own a truck, you can still rent a pickup truck from many hardware stores and equipment rental shops for less than hiring someone to pick up your equipment.
Put it on the curb
Kick your old appliances to the curb—literally. If you live within city limits, chances are the city will take care of your old appliances as long as you put them on the curb. Call your local representative or check online before putting your appliances on the curb. Also, if you live in an HOA, check the rules before you put anything on the curb.
