How Do I Dispose of My Old Refrigerator/Freezer?

There are several ways in which an old refrigerator or freezer can be disposed:

• waste management companies

• bounty program contractors

• recyclers

• retail appliance companies

These days, the emphasis is on the environment. About 95% of the materials in refrigerators and freezers can be recycled. EPA regulations require appliance coolant and oil to be recycled properly, but the average refrigerator also contains three pounds of aluminum and a pound of copper, as well as glass and plastic that can be reused. Here's how to make sure your old fridge or freezer is handled in an environmentally friendly manner.

Refrigerator and freezer disposal options

When discarding an appliance, you will need to contact a company to pick it up. Some companies that sell refrigerators and freezers will pick up your old appliance when delivering a new one, but this is an exception.

A waste management company should be your last option for appliance disposal. Many states actually ban large appliances from landfills because of their size, recyclable materials, and potential environmental harm.

In some communities, the utility company takes part in an appliance bounty program. The bounty program contractor will either pay you a small amount for your old refrigerator or freezer, or provide a rebate or discount toward a newer and more efficient Energy Star appliance. For information on such programs, see the following websites, or contact your local power utility:

• www.arcainc.com

• www.csgrp.com

• www.jacoinc.net

Refrigerator and freezer recycling

Because of the ozone depleting substances or ODSs they contain, it's important that old refrigerators and freezers be recycled. But even newer, more environmentally friendly refrigerators and freezers need to be recycled properly to ensure minimal atmospheric damage.

Recycling a refrigerator/freezer doesn't even require a lot of effort on your part. For example, if you were to visit www.earth911.org, in the upper left corner of the homepage you can enter the zip code for your area. Then in the left-hand column under the headline Local Services, click on Reuse and Recycling Services.

On the next page, scroll down until you find the Metal category box. Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, and washing machines are known as "white goods," i.e. non-reusable large appliances. Click on the White Goods category under Metal, and you'll be presented with a list of recycling programs for your area.

Most communities feature one or two recycling programs that will collect your old refrigerator/freezer if you schedule a pickup appointment with them by phone. Pickup is often scheduled a few weeks after you call, so be prepared to store your old refrigerator or freezer in a safe place until the pickup date.

To make sure you don’t forget, note the date and time of the recycling appointment on a kitchen calendar, handheld PDA, or household bulletin board. When making the appointment, ask about a designated pickup point. If the pickup is curbside, you'll need to move the appliance, or ask the recycling company about alternatives.