Appliance recycling is an excellent way to keep bulky items from harming the environment. Many local programs recycle large appliances like refrigerators, which contain toxins and pollutants that can leak into the air.
Local charities and groups needing a working fridge can benefit from your donation, while junk removal companies may purchase your old fridge for parts or scrap metal.
Donate or Sell
There are a few ways to recycle appliances that don’t require hauling them off to the dump. One option is to donate them. You can usually find a local charity or organization that accepts used appliances. They often offer pickup services for large appliances and may even be able to provide you with a tax deduction for your donation.
Another option is to sell your appliance. While this isn’t always easy, it can be a great way to eliminate your appliance and make some money simultaneously. Some people have successfully sold their old appliances to pawn shops and second-hand stores.
Finally, some retailers and manufacturers work with programs like the U.S. EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, which is an environmentally friendly way to recycle old appliances. Through these programs, the metal, plastic, glass, and foam components are reused for other appliances. Additionally, ozone-depleting refrigerants and compressor oils are removed and disposed of responsibly.
Recycle
In some places, you can place your old fridge at the curb on trash day for recycling. Check with your local sanitation department or energy utility to see whether this is available. If it is, you’ll likely have to schedule a pickup and pay a moderate fee for this service.
If you choose to do refrigerator recycling Sussex County, NJ, ensure it’s done by a company that follows EPA guidelines. These provide a disposal process that doesn’t release ozone-depleting refrigerants and flammable polyurethane foam insulation into the environment.
Many retailers have partnerships with these EPA programs. Alternatively, ask your local scrap metal dealer whether they recycle appliances. Most will, and the shredded appliance parts can be used as scrap metal in new appliances or sold to other recyclers. In this way, your appliance can continue to serve you for many years after its end of life. It is a much better option than dumping it in a landfill.
Dispose at Your Local Landfill
If you cannot sell your old refrigerator or other appliances for profit, your local landfill, recycling center, or trash transfer station will likely offer appliance disposal. You can drop them off, usually for a fee, though you might have to drain the refrigerants first. Some utility companies offer incentives or pay you outright for turning in your old appliances, such as cash or a credit to your utility bill when you switch to new energy-efficient units.
Some cities even allow you to leave your old appliances at the curb for collection on trash day. However, you’ll typically have to schedule a pickup appointment ahead of time and may have to pay a small fee in addition to your trash service. These appliances are often shipped to third parties who re-sell them domestically or abroad. It is unsuitable for our planet, allowing harmful chemicals, including ozone-depleting mercury switches and Freon gases, to escape into the environment.
Scrap
Depending on the condition of your old appliance, you can make money by selling it as scrap metal. This option also keeps your old appliances out of landfills. It’s important to note that many large appliances have lots of metal, often steel, that could be recycled instead of thrown away as trash.
If your fridge or freezer is still in good working condition, consider donating it to a local charity or non-profit organization. This option prevents your appliance from going to waste and may help out a family in need.
Look for retailers partnered with the EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program for refrigerators and freezers that need to be fixed. This program ensures ozone-depleting chemicals like Freon are recovered and reused, greenhouse gases are reduced, foam is reclaimed or destroyed, metals, plastic, and glass are recycled, and PCBs, mercury, and used oil are correctly disposed of.
