Fortunately, most appliances can be recycled for their metal components. Your town, or a nearby city, should have a metal recycling center that you can contact for details about getting rid of junk appliances. For now, continue reading to review some common questions about recycling old appliances, and learn where to get started with your own.
Where Can I Safely Dispose of an Old or Broken Appliance?
Occasionally, you can find a used appliance store that will accept old or broken-down appliances, but often times, under several strict or unreasonable conditions. In few cases, they may charge a small fee to take them. Also, some home improvement stores sell used appliances so they buy or accept old ones that are still operational. The best place to safely discard an old or broken appliance is your city’s metal recycling center.
Will Metal Recycling Centers Take Any Appliance?
No. Most metal recycling centers are very hesitant to accept certain appliances that contain hazardous waste or toxic chemicals, such as refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners. However, some companies may accept these types of appliances, but for an additional charge. Other appliances, like plastic dishwashers, are not usually accepted because they contain very little-to-no metal.
How Much Does it Cost to Recycling a Junk Appliance?
In most cases, the costs related to appliance recycling mostly involve fuel costs since many places do not offer free haul away service. You are responsible of getting the appliance to the recycling center on your own if you want to recycle it for free. Otherwise, you can expect to pay a small fee, usually under $25, to have your appliance picked up and hauled off. This fee pays for the company’s overhead costs for haul-away service, including labor, fuel, insurance, and more. But the good news is that many metal processing centers pay cash for junk appliances, especially valuable ones like water heaters, furnaces, dryers, and more. Subtract the cost of haul-away service and you can still profit from recycling an appliance.