Disposal guide

How to dispose of a refrigerator

Quick answer

How do you get rid of an old refrigerator?

Easiest path: buy a new one and use the retailer's haul-away on delivery ($0-30). Otherwise: schedule city bulk pickup, call a utility rebate program (sometimes $35-75 paid TO you), or hire a junk hauler. Never trash — Freon recovery is federally required.

Refrigerators contain refrigerant gases (Freon, R-134a, R-600a) regulated under the Clean Air Act §608. An EPA-certified technician must recover the gas before disposal — every legit channel handles this for you. Some utilities (Xcel Energy, Con Edison) actually pay you $35-75 to retire a working second fridge, since their grid avoids the standby load. Always check your utility's rebate program before paying for pickup.

Buying new — haul-away on delivery	$0-30 at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's
Utility rebate (working fridge)	$35-75 PAID to you — check Xcel / your utility
City bulk pickup	$25-75 per item, schedule with city
Junk hauler	$100-200 per fridge, fast
DIY to scrap yard	Only if Freon already recovered (proof required)

Need your county's appliance disposal options?

Type your ZIP at /check for the verified local pickup and recycler. Free.

Buying a new fridge: haul-away on delivery

Free or low-cost. Handles Freon recovery for you

Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, and most appliance retailers offer haul-away service when delivering your new fridge. Often $25-30 (sometimes free with a delivery promo). They handle EPA-compliant Freon recovery through their licensed recycling partners. The simplest option if the timing lines up.

Utility rebate program

Many electric utilities pay you $50-100 to recycle a working old fridge

Xcel Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric, Con Edison, ComEd, and many other utilities run "appliance recycling rebate" programs. They pick up your working-but-old fridge (often it must be 10+ years old) and pay you $50-100. The point is to get inefficient old units off the grid. Check your utility's website for the current program.

Municipal bulk pickup

Most cities accept appliances for a fee. Some require special scheduling

City public-works programs typically accept refrigerators for $25-75 per item. Some require advance notice and a sticker. Most cities contract with licensed appliance recyclers, so Freon recovery is handled. Confirm with your specific city.

Junk hauler / appliance recycler

Premium price, fastest option

1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp, and local appliance recyclers charge $75-150 for fridge pickup plus EPA-compliant recycling. Convenient if you cannot move the fridge to the curb (an apartment, mobility constraints) or need same-week service. All licensed haulers handle Freon recovery. Cash-only "free pickup" Craigslist haulers often do not, and federal law makes you liable for their non-compliance.

Scrap-metal yard (working but unwanted)

Some pay $10-30 for the steel. Freon must be drained first

A licensed scrap-metal yard will accept a fridge only after the Freon is removed (they will charge $40-60 to do it, or refer you to a technician). The economics often make this a wash unless you have multiple appliances. Do not try to drain refrigerant yourself. It is illegal under federal Clean Air Act Section 608, and dangerous.

Step-by-step

1. Empty and defrost. Remove all food, shelves, and drawers. Let the fridge defrost completely (24 hours) so no water leaks during transport.
2. Secure the doors. The federal Refrigerator Safety Act requires doors to be removed or secured before a fridge leaves your property (kids climbing in is a real hazard). Tape doors shut, or remove them with a Phillips screwdriver.
3. Decide if it works. If it works and is under 15 years old, try a utility rebate, donation (Habitat ReStore), or Craigslist Free. If it does not work, use the recycling channels below.
4. Pick a channel. Retailer haul-away (cheapest if buying new), utility rebate (pays you), city bulk pickup, or a licensed appliance recycler.
5. Confirm Freon recovery. Whoever takes the fridge must be EPA Section 608 certified for refrigerant recovery. Ask before they leave with your fridge.
6. Look up your local option. Try /check with your ZIP for the verified retailer and utility programs.

Frequently asked

Can I put a refrigerator at the curb?

No, not without prep and scheduling. The federal Clean Air Act Section 608 requires Freon recovery by a certified technician before a fridge can be scrapped or landfilled. The federal Refrigerator Safety Act requires doors to be removed or secured before a fridge leaves your property. Use retailer haul-away, utility rebate, city bulk pickup, or a licensed appliance recycler.

Will my utility pay me to recycle an old fridge?

Probably yes. Most major U.S. electric utilities run appliance recycling rebate programs. Xcel, PG&E, ComEd, Con Edison, and dozens of others pick up your working old fridge and pay $50-100. Usually the fridge must be 10+ years old and working. Check your utility's website for current programs.

How much does refrigerator disposal cost?

Free to $150, depending on the channel. Retailer haul-away with new-fridge delivery is $0-30. A utility rebate pays you $50-100. Municipal bulk pickup is $25-75. A licensed appliance recycler is $75-150. A scrap yard roughly breaks even after the Freon recovery fee.

What if I want to keep the fridge but the doors don't lock?

The federal Refrigerator Safety Act only kicks in when the fridge leaves your property. While the fridge is at your home, there is no requirement. When you are ready to dispose, remove the doors with a Phillips screwdriver (5-10 min) or tape them shut securely before pickup.

Can I take the door off a fridge to use it as a cooler?

Modern compressor-based fridges are not safe to repurpose without the refrigeration system intact. The compressor and coils contain pressurized refrigerant. Old (1950s-60s) mechanical-only iceboxes are different. Do not DIY-modify an active fridge.

What about a mini-fridge or wine fridge?

The same federal rules apply, because they contain refrigerant. Most retailer haul-away programs accept them. Best Buy specifically lists mini-fridges in their haul-away service. County HHW programs usually do not accept appliances (they handle chemicals, not large items).