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Disposal guide · official sources, checked October 28, 2026

How to dispose of a refrigerator or other appliance

Fridges, freezers, window AC units and dehumidifiers hold refrigerant, which has to be recovered before the appliance is scrapped. Here is what EPA advises and what cities charge to take appliances.

What the official guidance says

  1. Check your electric utility first

    EPA says to first check whether your electric utility offers a rebate or bounty (appliance turn-in) program; some require the appliance to be in working order. (EPA: Appliance Disposal)

  2. Ask your city about pickup or drop-off

    Some municipalities collect appliances by appointment, others require you to haul them to a transfer station or landfill. Some require the refrigerant to be removed first, by a professional such as an appliance repair technician. (EPA: Appliance Disposal)

  3. Ask the store when you buy a new one

    EPA notes that some retailers and organizations offer appliance pick-up and disposal. Almost all of a fridge can be recycled: the metal cabinet, the refrigerant and compressor oil, and the foam insulation's blowing agent. (EPA: Appliance Disposal)

What cities say about appliances

From each city or county's official page, as we read it on the date shown.

Sites by state

10,989 sites in EPA's data are listed as scrap metal or landfill or transfer station. Pick a state for the full list and map.

Clearing out more than a few items? A dumpster can take furniture and debris in one go; ask the company which items it excludes before you load it. Size & cost calculator

Other disposal guides

Facility data: EPA Disaster Debris Recovery Tool (DDRT) (downloaded October 28, 2026; EPA Data License) and EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) landfill data, which we use to drop landfills LMOP lists as closed. Each listing names the state or national source EPA compiled it from and that record's date where given. Search uses U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer centroids. Last checked October 28, 2026.

Rules and fees change, and not every site takes the public. Listings come from EPA and state agency records, not from the operators. Some sites accept only commercial haulers, residents, or certain materials, and hours change with holidays and weather. Call or check the operator's official page before you load the truck. Dumpster Price Map is independent and not affiliated with any facility or government agency. Spot an error? Tell us.

FAQ

Where can I drop off old appliances near me?

Search your ZIP code on this page: the finder is preset to scrap metal sites from EPA data (10,989 nationwide listed as scrap metal or landfill or transfer station). Call ahead, since accepted items, limits and fees vary by site.

Check your electric utility first

EPA says to first check whether your electric utility offers a rebate or bounty (appliance turn-in) program; some require the appliance to be in working order.

Ask your city about pickup or drop-off

Some municipalities collect appliances by appointment, others require you to haul them to a transfer station or landfill. Some require the refrigerant to be removed first, by a professional such as an appliance repair technician.

Ask the store when you buy a new one

EPA notes that some retailers and organizations offer appliance pick-up and disposal. Almost all of a fridge can be recycled: the metal cabinet, the refrigerant and compressor oil, and the foam insulation's blowing agent.