Lawn mower disposal costs between $0 and $150 depending on method. Scrap yards take old mowers for free, and most cities include them in bulk pickup. Dropcurb picks up an old push mower curbside for $119 with same-day service. No draining fluids or disassembling required.
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| Method | Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrap metal yard | Free (+ $5–$20 scrap value) | Same day | Non-working mower, have a truck |
| Small engine repair shop | Free | Same day | Working or repairable mower |
| City bulk pickup | Free | 1–8 weeks | Not in a hurry, fluids drained |
| Sell on Craigslist/Facebook | Earn $20–$100+ | 1–14 days | Working or fixable mower |
| Donate (Habitat ReStore, etc.) | Free | 1–7 days | Working mower, want a tax deduction |
| Dropcurb curbside pickup | $119 push, $379 riding | Same day | Want it gone today, no truck needed |
| Traditional full-service junk removal | Current local quote | Varies by local availability | Full-service; confirm included scope |
How Much Does Lawn Mower Disposal Cost by Method?
Getting rid of an old lawn mower ranges from free to $250+ depending on the method you choose. Here is what each option actually costs based on verified 2026 pricing:
Scrap metal yards take old lawn mowers for free and sometimes pay you for the metal. A push mower yields roughly $5–$10 in scrap steel. Riding mowers contain more metal and can fetch $20–$40 at the yard. One scrapper on ScrapMetalForum reported making $92 from a riding mower bundled with other items. Most yards require you to drain all oil and gasoline before drop-off.
Small engine repair shops often accept working or repairable mowers at no charge. They refurbish and resell them or strip usable parts. This is one of the most recommended options in Reddit threads about lawn mower disposal — multiple users confirm their local shop took old mowers gladly.
City bulk pickup is free in most municipalities. Kansas City, for example, accepts lawn mowers through its curbside bulky item collection program. However, most cities require you to drain all fluids (gasoline, oil) before placing the mower at the curb. Wait times range from 1–8 weeks depending on the city.
Selling your old mower on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp works well if it runs or is easily fixable. Working push mowers sell for $20–$100+ depending on condition and brand. Even non-running mowers find buyers who want them for parts.
Donating a working mower to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a church, community garden, or animal shelter is free and may qualify for a tax deduction. Traditional full-service junk removal recommends reaching out to local organizations that maintain outdoor spaces.
Junk removal companies charge $100–$250+ for lawn mower pickup. Traditional full-service junk removal starts at $109–$110 for a single push mower, with prices varying by location. In Phoenix, traditional full-service junk removal charges from $110. In Los Angeles, prices start at $109. Traditional full-service junk removal uses volume-based pricing with a minimum of $100–$150 for their smallest load (1/8 truck). Junk King offers on-site estimates for lawn equipment disposal.
Push Mower vs Riding Mower Disposal: What's the Difference?
The type of mower you need to dispose of significantly affects your options and cost:
Push mowers (gas and electric) weigh 55–85 pounds according to Mowrator and Mammotion. One person can lift a push mower into a truck or roll it to the curb. This makes them ideal for curbside pickup, scrap yard drop-off, or donation. Dropcurb picks up a push mower from the curb for $119.
Riding mowers weigh 400–800 pounds and require a trailer or ramp to transport. Scrap yards pay more for riding mowers ($20–$40 in metal value), but getting them there is the challenge. If the mower drives, you may be able to ride it onto a trailer. If it does not run, you will need a winch or multiple people to load it. Junk removal companies typically charge $150–$300+ for riding mower removal because of the weight.
Electric mowers (battery-powered) weigh 30–65 pounds, making them the easiest to transport. However, lithium-ion batteries require separate recycling. Walmart, Lowe's, and Home Depot all accept lithium-ion batteries for recycling at no charge. Remove the battery before scrapping or trashing the mower body.
Reel mowers (manual push) weigh 15–30 pounds and can often go with regular metal recycling or be donated easily since they have no engine or battery.
What Do You Need to Do Before Disposing of a Lawn Mower?
Nearly every disposal method requires some preparation. Skip these steps and the scrap yard, city pickup, or recycling center may refuse your mower:
- •Drain all gasoline — use a siphon pump or disconnect the fuel line and drain into an approved container. Take old gas to a hazardous waste facility or auto parts store
- •Drain the oil — tilt the mower and drain oil into a container. Most auto parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly) accept used motor oil for free
- •Disconnect the spark plug — prevents accidental starting during transport
- •Remove the battery (electric mowers) — lithium-ion batteries must be recycled separately at Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, or a battery recycling facility
- •Clean off excess grass and debris — some scrap yards and recycling centers require reasonably clean equipment
If prepping the mower sounds like too much work, Dropcurb picks up a push mower curbside as-is for $119, with no draining or disassembly needed.
Skip the prep work. Put your old mower at the curb and we handle the rest.
Get Instant PricingCan You Get Paid to Recycle a Lawn Mower?
In some cases, yes. Several programs pay you or offer deep discounts for recycling your gas mower:
Scrap metal yards pay $5–$20 for push mowers and $20–$40 for riding mowers based on metal weight and current scrap steel prices. One Reddit user reported getting $27 for 750 pounds of mixed light metal scrap including lawn equipment.
Mow Down Pollution (Denver metro area) offers $150 vouchers toward a new electric mower when you trade in your old gas mower at participating Home Depot locations. The program is run by the Regional Air Quality Council to reduce ozone pollution.
Salt Lake City's Lawnmower Exchange program offers $299 coupons redeemable at Home Depot, Lowe's, or Redback for electric mower purchases when you recycle your gas mower.
Similar exchange programs exist in other cities — check with your local air quality district or environmental agency. These programs typically run during spring and summer months and have limited availability.
Lawn Mower Disposal Cost in Major Cities
Disposal options and costs vary by location. Here are the details for popular metros:
New York City: NYC does not accept gas-powered lawn mowers through regular trash or curbside collection. You must bring the mower to a DSNY drop-off site or hire a junk removal service. Traditional full-service junk removal Manhattan offers same-day lawn mower pickup starting at $100–$150+.
Chicago: The city offers free yard waste pickup year-round, and some areas accept small lawn equipment with bulk pickup. Traditional full-service junk removal Chicago provides online booking with upfront pricing for lawn mower removal.
Los Angeles: LA's bulky item pickup program accepts lawn mowers after fluids are drained. Schedule through 311 or online. Wait times are 1–3 weeks. Traditional full-service junk removal LA charges from $109 for mower removal.
Kansas City: Curbside bulky item collection accepts lawn mowers at no charge. Place at the curb on your scheduled collection day.
Denver: The Mow Down Pollution program offers $150 vouchers for trading in gas mowers. Outside of the program, standard bulk pickup applies — drain fluids first.
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| City | City Pickup Cost | Wait Time | Fluid Drain Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | Drop-off only | Same day (self-haul) | Yes |
| Chicago | Free (yard waste) | Weekly schedule | Yes |
| Los Angeles | Free (bulky item) | 1–3 weeks | Yes |
| Kansas City | Free (bulky item) | Scheduled day | Yes |
| Denver | Free (+ $150 trade-in voucher) | Program-dependent | Yes |
How to Save Money on Lawn Mower Disposal
The cheapest ways to get rid of a lawn mower:
- •Call a local small engine repair shop first — they often take mowers for free, working or not, because they can refurbish or part them out
- •Post it free on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist — even broken mowers get claimed quickly by hobbyists and scrap collectors
- •Check your city's bulk pickup schedule — most cities take lawn mowers curbside at no charge after fluids are drained
- •Drive it to a scrap yard — you will get a few dollars and they handle disposal responsibly
- •Look for mower exchange programs — cities like Denver and Salt Lake City offer $150–$299 in vouchers toward a new electric mower
- •Combine with other items: if you have multiple things to get rid of, one Dropcurb pickup takes them all, and each additional item is added at a lower add-on price (a push mower and a charcoal grill come to $138)
How to Book Lawn Mower Removal With Dropcurb
Place the mower at the curb
Roll your old mower to the curb or driveway edge. No need to drain fluids or remove parts.
Book online in 60 seconds
Select your item and see your price instantly: a push mower is $119. No phone calls, no on-site estimates.
We pick it up same day
A local hauler grabs your mower and handles disposal or recycling. You never touch it again.
Old mower taking up space in the garage? Put it at the curb and book a pickup.
Book Lawn Mower RemovalFrequently asked questions
How do I dispose of an old lawn mower?
You can dispose of an old lawn mower by taking it to a scrap metal yard (free), scheduling city bulk pickup (free, drain fluids first), donating it to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, selling it on Facebook Marketplace, dropping it at a small engine repair shop, or booking curbside pickup with Dropcurb ($119 for a push mower).
Can you put a lawn mower in the trash?
No. Lawn mowers cannot go in regular trash because they contain gasoline, oil, and metal components that require special handling. Most cities accept them through bulk pickup programs after fluids are drained, or you can take them to a scrap yard or recycling center.
How much does it cost to have a lawn mower hauled away?
Junk removal companies charge $100–$250+ for lawn mower hauling. Traditional full-service junk removal starts at $109–$110 per mower. Traditional full-service junk removal starts at $100–$150 minimum. Dropcurb offers same-day curbside pickup for $119 for a push mower and $379 for a riding mower.
Does Home Depot or Lowe's take old lawn mowers?
Home Depot and Lowe's do not have a nationwide old lawn mower trade-in program. However, some cities run mower exchange programs through these retailers — Denver offers $150 vouchers and Salt Lake City offers $299 coupons toward new electric mowers when you recycle your gas mower at participating locations.
How much is an old lawn mower worth in scrap?
A push mower is worth $5–$20 in scrap metal. A riding mower is worth $20–$40 or more depending on weight and current steel prices. Scrap yards accept mowers with fluids drained. Some scrappers report higher returns when they separate copper wiring and aluminum components.
Do I need to drain gas and oil before disposing of a lawn mower?
Yes, for most disposal methods. City bulk pickup, scrap yards, and recycling centers all require gasoline and oil to be drained first. You can take old gas and oil to auto parts stores like AutoZone or O'Reilly for free disposal. Dropcurb picks up mowers as-is without requiring fluid removal.
Where can I donate an old lawn mower?
Donate working lawn mowers to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, churches, community gardens, animal shelters, or local nonprofit organizations. Many of these groups maintain outdoor spaces and welcome lawn equipment donations. You may qualify for a tax deduction.