Out with the old, in with the new, as the saying goes. Are you ready to get rid of your ancient fridge freezer? Maybe you’re refurbing your whole kitchen? Whatever your reason, you may be thinking how on earth do you get rid of such a large, heavy appliance? Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just throwing out the trash. You can’t just leave it on the curbside and hope that a disposal team will pick it up.
No need to panic though, there are plenty of ways to dispose of your old fridge. Make sure you take a look at our useful guide below on how to successfully get rid of it..
Donate Your Fridge
If you’re treating your kitchen to a new fridge but your old one is still in good working order, why not give it to a charity? Get in touch with your waste department or charities in your area that are accepting collections or donations. Usually you’ll have to drop it off at a local center or sometimes you’re able to make arrangements with them to come and collect the fridge from you and add to their collection. Before you donate it, ensure that it’s in full working order and that it’s clean and free from mold or other nasties. A great way of getting rid of your fridge and you’ll be contributing to a good cause as well.
Recycle You Old Fridge
Recycling your old fridge freezer is a great way of getting rid of it and contributing to the minimization of landfill use. It’ll also reduce the pollution and damage it’s causing to our planet and oceans. To be recycled your fridge usually needs to meet certain standards. The recycling rules vary in each area so make sure you absolutely are allowed to do it, so you’re not breaking any laws.
Hire a Disposal Service to take away your Fridge
If you’re finding it too stressful and too much of a hassle trying to get rid of your old appliance, hiring a junk disposal company could be the answer, https://www.weebblejunk.com/ or another removal company depending on your location. Although it’s an extra cost, they’ll deal with everything for you, from collecting it to disposing of it. No stress and no time wasted hauling the fridge to a disposal site. Always make sure you do your research and choose a company with good reviews and ratings. Try to pick one that disposes loads in a responsible, environmentally-friendly way too.
Trade-In With a Retailer
Before you fork out for a new refrigerator, ask the retailer if they do appliance trade-ins. This is a perk that a lot of sellers offer and it’s usually included in the price of your purchase. This is probably the easiest way of getting rid of your fridge, however make sure you ask as some sellers do charge an extra fee. Some will even deliver your new fridge and pick up your old one on the same day. However it may be the case that they need your old one to still be in good working order. Don’t just assume they do one-to-one trade-in services either, some companies require that you specifically request this service when you buy your new appliance.
Hire a Dumpster to remove the Fridge
This is a pretty easy way to get rid of your old appliance. However, unless you’re Strongman you will need help lifting it into the dumpster. It’s an ultra convenient method, simply chuck your items in and then call when you need it taken away. Since you can use the dumpster to get rid of other items, it’s perfect if you’re having a massive clearout or you’re refurbing your home. You can usually keep the dumpster until you’re finished, so it’s ideal if you’ve got several loads you need to get rid of. You can load your appliances and other items at your own pace and you don’t even need to be at home when it’s collected. No more wasted days waiting in for hours. You’ll also be given a quote before the dumpster arrives, so no nasty surprises.
FAQs
Can I throw away a fridge freezer?
You can, but there are quite a few downsides to this. Firstly, it’s awful for our planet and will almost certainly contribute to the increasing landfill waste. Not all states accept the disposal of large bulky appliances such as refrigerators. If they do, usually you’ll need to book an appointment in advance, normally around two weeks.
How do I get rid of a refrigerator free of charge?
This isn’t easy and it may involve transporting the appliance yourself. However, it is possible to do it without spending anything. Listing your fridge in your local paper or on Craigslist is an easy way to attract scrap companies. If your fridge is only lightly used, you could put it up for sale and advertise it as collection only. This is a great option if you’ve got the space to store the fridge until you can get rid of it.
How do I recycle a fridge freezer?
First, make sure that you can recycle your fridge. Often it will have to meet certain regulations and standards before it can be recycled. If it’s up to standard you’ll need to drain it of all oils and other hazardous substances. Once you’ve done that and the fridge is clean, you can drop it off at the recycling center in your area. This is a great option to minimize landfill waste and to help save our planet.
Why do fridge freezers need to be drained before recycling?
Many fridge freezers contain CFC refrigerants, which are chemicals that can damage the ozone layer. They’re also devastatingly destructive greenhouse gases. If these substances are not disposed of properly, they can be extremely dangerous to the environment. They are usually found in refrigerators that are 25 years or older. Modern fridges use HFC refrigerants, which, although kinder to the ozone layer, still need to be drained properly as they’re classed as greenhouse gases. Usually, the landfill will drain the fridge for you, however, if it’s your responsibility to do it, make sure you use an approved refrigerant reclaimer.
