The best way to get rid of old appliances depends on whether they still work. Working appliances can be donated for free pickup or recycled through utility rebate programs that pay you $50-150. Broken appliances cost $79-250 to remove, with Dropcurb curbside pickup (from $79 for a microwave to $109 for a refrigerator) being the cheapest same-day option.
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| Method | Cost to You | Speed | Appliance Condition | You Move It? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utility rebate program | Free + $50-150 rebate | 1-4 weeks | Must be working | No — they pick up |
| Retailer haul-away (with purchase) | $0-30 | Delivery day | Any | No — delivery crew takes it |
| Donation pickup (Habitat, Salvation Army) | Free | 1-2 weeks | Must be working | No — they pick up |
| Craigslist/Facebook "free on curb" | Free | Hours to days | Working preferred | To curb |
| Dropcurb curbside | $79–$109 | Same day | Any condition | To curb |
| Scrap metal recycler | They pay $8-35 | Same day | Any | You haul to yard |
| Full-service junk removal | $100-250 | 1-3 days | Any | No — they carry out |
| Municipal bulk pickup | Free-$25 (sticker) | 2-9 weeks | Any | To curb |
What Is the Best Way to Dispose of Old Appliances?
Start by determining whether your appliance works.
If it works — get it picked up for free or get paid:
- •Utility rebate programs are the best deal. Many electric utilities (PSE&G, DTE Energy, Con Edison, Duke Energy) will pick up working refrigerators and freezers for free AND give you a $50-150 rebate or bill credit. Check ENERGY STAR's recycling locator at energystar.gov. Reddit users report getting $50 credits from DTE for old freezer pickup.
- •Retailer haul-away when buying a replacement. Best Buy charges $29.99 for haul-away with a purchase (or $99.99 standalone). Lowe's and Home Depot offer free haul-away with appliance purchase — one-for-one exchange. Home Depot charges ~$25 for haul-away with delivery.
- •Donation to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, or Goodwill. They'll pick up working appliances for free and you get a tax deduction receipt.
If it's broken — cheapest removal options:
- •Dropcurb curbside pickup, from $79 for a microwave to $109 for a refrigerator, is the fastest affordable option. Move the appliance to your curb or driveway, book online, and a hauler picks it up same day.
- •Scrap metal recyclers will sometimes pick up appliances for free or pay you $8-35 depending on the appliance and current metal prices. Fridges bring $15-35, washers $12-25, dryers $8-15.
- •Municipal bulk pickup is free in most cities. Call 311 to schedule. Expect a 2-9 week wait.
Does Anyone Pick Up Used Appliances Near Me?
Yes — multiple services pick up old appliances, and some do it for free.
Free pickup options:
- •Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Picks up working appliances in most metro areas. Schedule at habitat.org. Tax deduction included.
- •Salvation Army — Free pickup of working appliances. Schedule through your local branch.
- •Utility recycling programs — Free pickup of working fridges and freezers plus a rebate. Search "appliance recycling" + your utility company name.
- •Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace — List working appliances as "free — at curb" and someone typically picks up within hours in urban areas.
- •Buy Nothing groups — Local Facebook groups where members give away items. Appliances go fast.
Paid pickup options:
- •Dropcurb: same-day curbside pickup, priced per appliance (microwave $79, dishwasher $109, fridge $109, washer $109, dryer $109, stove $109). Any appliance, any condition, working or broken.
- •Best Buy — $99.99 for standalone haul-away (no purchase required). Limited to 2 large items per trip.
- •traditional full-service junk removal — $150-250 for single appliance removal. They come inside your home.
- •traditional full-service junk removal — $130+ per appliance including service area fee.
Old appliance at the curb? Dropcurb picks it up today, from $79 for a microwave to $109 for a refrigerator, in any condition and with no estimates.
Schedule Appliance PickupHow Much Does Appliance Removal Cost?
Appliance removal costs $0-250 depending on the method and whether you need someone to carry it from inside your home.
- •Free: Utility rebate programs (working fridges/freezers), donation pickup (working appliances), Craigslist/Facebook free listings, municipal bulk pickup
- •$0-30: Retailer haul-away with new appliance purchase. Best Buy charges $29.99, Lowe's is free, Home Depot charges ~$25.
- •$79–$109: Dropcurb curbside pickup. A microwave is $79, a dishwasher $109, a refrigerator $109, a washer $109, a dryer $109 and a stove $109. Move the appliance to the curb and a hauler takes it same day.
- •$100-250: Full-service removal (traditional full-service junk removal, Junkluggers). They carry the appliance from wherever it sits — basement, second floor, tight kitchen — and haul it away.
Special disposal handling at transfer stations: Appliances containing refrigerants (fridges, freezers, AC units) require EPA-certified disposal. Dropcurb and most junk removal companies include this in their item price. If self-hauling to a transfer station, expect a $15-30 Freon recovery charge on top of standard dump fees.
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| Appliance | Scrap Value | Dropcurb Removal | Full-Service Removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | $15-35 | $109 | $100-200 |
| Washer | $12-25 | $109 | $100-175 |
| Dryer | $8-15 | $109 | $100-175 |
| Dishwasher | $5-10 | $109 | $80-150 |
| Oven/Range | $10-20 | $109 | $100-200 |
| Microwave | $2-5 | $79 | $50-100 |
| Window AC unit | $5-10 | $79 | $50-100 |
Is It Free to Dump Appliances?
Rarely. Most transfer stations charge $20-60 per appliance for drop-off, plus a $15-30 Freon recovery fee for refrigerators, freezers, and AC units. Some cities operate free appliance drop-off events 1-2 times per year — check your city's solid waste website.
Free alternatives that actually work:
- •Utility recycling programs — The closest thing to free appliance dumping. They pick up, recycle responsibly, and pay you a rebate. Limited to working fridges and freezers in most programs.
- •Scrap metal yards — They'll take appliances for free and sometimes pay you the scrap value ($5-35). You need to haul it there yourself.
- •Municipal bulk pickup — Schedule through your city for free curbside pickup. Wait times are long but it's genuinely free.
How to Get Rid of Old Appliances Step by Step
Check if it works
Working appliances have free disposal options (utility rebates, donations, free listings). Broken appliances need paid removal or scrap recycling.
Try free options first
Check your utility company for fridge/freezer rebates ($50-150). Search Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area for free donation pickup. Post on Craigslist or Facebook as "free on curb."
Check retailer haul-away if buying new
Buying a replacement? Lowe's offers free haul-away with purchase. Home Depot charges ~$25. Best Buy charges $29.99. Always cheaper than standalone removal.
Book curbside pickup if you need it gone fast
Dropcurb picks up appliances at the curb the same day: $109 for a refrigerator, $109 for a washer, $109 for a dryer, $109 for a stove, $109 for a dishwasher and $79 for a microwave. Move the appliance to your curb or driveway (use an appliance dolly — rent one at Home Depot for $30/day) and book online.
Disconnect properly before removal
Unplug the appliance 24 hours before pickup. For gas appliances (stoves, dryers), shut off the gas valve and disconnect the line. For fridges, empty all food and leave doors slightly open to prevent mold.
Done with that old fridge? Dropcurb removes a refrigerator from your curb for $109, same-day and in any condition.
Book Appliance RemovalFrequently asked questions
What is the best way to dispose of old appliances?
For working appliances: utility rebate programs (free pickup + $50-150 rebate), retailer haul-away with purchase ($0-30), or donation to Habitat for Humanity (free). For broken appliances: Dropcurb curbside pickup (same-day, from $79 for a microwave to $109 for a refrigerator), scrap metal recycler (they may pay $8-35), or municipal bulk pickup (free, 2-9 week wait).
What electronics should never be thrown away?
Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units contain refrigerants that are illegal to vent into the atmosphere — they require EPA-certified disposal. CRT TVs and monitors contain lead. Batteries and devices with lithium batteries are fire hazards in landfills. All of these need proper recycling, not curbside trash bins.
Is it free to dump electrical items?
Usually not. Transfer stations charge $20-60 per appliance plus $15-30 for Freon recovery on refrigerant-containing units. Free options: utility recycling rebate programs (working fridges/freezers), scrap metal yards (pay you $5-35), and municipal bulk pickup (free but slow).
Does anyone pick up used appliances near me?
Yes. Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Salvation Army pick up working appliances for free. Utility companies pick up working fridges/freezers and pay rebates. Dropcurb picks up appliances in any condition from your curb the same day, from $79 for a microwave to $109 for a refrigerator. Best Buy does standalone haul-away for $99.99.
How much is an old refrigerator worth in scrap?
An old refrigerator is worth $15-35 in scrap metal based on current steel prices of $150-200 per ton. Washers bring $12-25, dryers $8-15, and ovens $10-20. Scrap yards will sometimes pick up for free if you have multiple appliances — otherwise you haul to them.
Will Lowe's or Home Depot take my old appliance?
Both offer haul-away when you purchase a new appliance. Lowe's includes free haul-away with appliance purchase (one-for-one exchange). Home Depot charges approximately $25 for haul-away with delivery. Neither offers standalone removal without a purchase. For that, use Dropcurb (from $79 for a microwave to $109 for a refrigerator) or Best Buy ($99.99).