Refrigerator Recycling Near Me: Free Pickup & Rebate Options [2026]

The best free option is your electric utility's appliance recycling program. Major utilities across the country — including PSE&G, BGE, Consumers Energy, PPL, and dozens more — will pick up your old working refrigerator or freezer for free AND pay you a $50-$75 rebate. They do this because old fridges use 3-5x more electricity than new ENERGY STAR models, so removing them from the grid saves them money.

To find your utility's program: visit energystar.gov/products/recycle and enter your zip code, or call your electric company and ask about their appliance recycling program.

Requirements: The fridge must be working (plugged in, keeping things cold). Most programs accept fridges between 10 and 30 cubic feet. Limit of 2-3 units per household. The utility handles Freon recovery and certified recycling.

If your fridge doesn't work, Habitat for Humanity ReStore won't take it, but scrap yards will. Many scrap metal dealers accept dead refrigerators and pay $15-$35 for the steel, copper, and aluminum — but you'll need to transport it yourself.

Over 60 utility companies across the U.S. offer free refrigerator pickup with cash rebates. Here are some of the largest:

• •Consumers Energy (MI): $50 rebate per working fridge or freezer, free pickup, limit 3 per household
• •PSE&G (NJ): Free pickup and recycling for working refrigerators and freezers, rebate varies
• •BGE (MD): Free pickup, limit 3 large units (fridges/freezers) and 4 small units (AC/dehumidifiers) per household
• •PPL Electric (PA): Rebate for recycling with ENERGY STAR certified replacement, limit 4 per account
• •Pacific Gas & Electric (CA): $50 rebate, free pickup for working full-size fridges/freezers
• •Duke Energy: $50 rebate, free pickup in multiple states

Search the ENERGY STAR Flip Your Fridge tool at energystar.gov to find your local program. Not every utility participates — if yours doesn't, the other options below still apply.

Certified recyclers follow a strict process. First, a licensed technician recovers the refrigerant (Freon/R-134a/R-600a) using specialized equipment — venting refrigerant is illegal under EPA Section 608 with fines up to $44,539 per day. Next, the compressor oil is drained and tested for PCBs. The fridge is then shredded and separated into material streams:

• •Steel (60-70% of weight): melted and recycled into new steel products
• •Copper (compressor wiring): high-value metal, refined and resold
• •Aluminum (condenser/evaporator coils): melted and recycled
• •Plastic (shelves, drawers, liner): sorted and pelletized or landfilled
• •Insulation foam: may contain blowing agents that are captured during processing

A typical refrigerator weighs 150-300 pounds and contains $15-$35 worth of scrap metal. Certified recycling prevents 100-200 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions compared to landfilling.

If you're buying a new refrigerator, most major retailers offer haul-away of your old unit during delivery:

• •Lowe's: $30 haul-away fee added to delivery. They disconnect your old fridge, remove it, and handle recycling. Available when you purchase a new appliance with delivery.
• •Home Depot: $25-$50 haul-away fee (varies by market). Same-day removal with new appliance delivery. They handle Freon recovery.
• •Best Buy: $29.99 haul-away with purchase of $399+ appliance. Free haul-away during some promotions.

This is the most convenient option if you're already replacing your fridge. The crew brings the new one in and takes the old one out in a single trip. Most retailers include Freon recovery in the haul-away fee.

When your fridge is dead, you're not buying a replacement, and you can't transport it to a scrap yard, paid pickup services are your fastest option:

Dropcurb ($79): Same-day curbside pickup. You move the fridge to the curb (use an appliance dolly or get a neighbor to help), and a local hauler loads it onto their truck. Additional appliances $19-$39 each. Book online with upfront pricing.

LoadUp ($85+): In-home pickup available — haulers come inside and carry the fridge out for you. 1-3 day scheduling window. Price varies by location.

1-800-GOT-JUNK ($150+): Full-service crew handles everything. No upfront pricing — they give an on-site quote based on truck space used. Best for multiple large appliances at once.