Appliance Recycling in Chicago, Illinois
Starting at $79. Additional items from $19.
Getting rid of an old refrigerator, washer, dryer, or stove comes down to five options: city bulk pickup (free but restricted), retailer haul-away (free–$50 with a new purchase), self-haul to a recycling center ($30–80), curbside pickup through Dropcurb ($104, same day), or traditional junk removal ($200–600+). Appliance disposal is more regulated than furniture because of refrigerants, oils, and heavy metals.
Same-day pickup available — book by 12pm for today's window
948+
Cities Covered
39
States Served
Same-Day
Pickup Available
$50
No-Show Guarantee
How appliance removal works in Chicago
Curb it
Place your appliance at the curb, driveway, or alley. No wrapping, no disassembly.
Book it
Select your item, see the exact price ($104), and pick your day. 60 seconds.
Gone
A local insured hauler picks it up same-day in Chicago. You get a text when it's done.
No strangers in your home. No scheduling a 4-hour window. No being home.
How much does appliance removal cost in Chicago?
Appliance removal costs $104 through Dropcurb — that's the $79 pickup fee plus a $25 appliance recycling fee. Each additional appliance is +$54 ($29 add-on + $25 recycling). A washer/dryer set costs $158 total. Heavy appliances like refrigerators and stoves start at $134 ($109 heavy pickup + $25 recycling). Traditional companies charge $200–$600+ for appliance removal because of the weight and disposal requirements.
Flat rate · No hidden fees · Price guaranteed
✓ Price guaranteed before you book. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Traditional junk removal (1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp): $150–$600+
5 ways to get rid of an appliance in Chicago
Compared by cost, speed, and effort — pick the right option for your situation.
How to prepare your appliance for pickup
- ✓ Place appliance at the curb or garage apron. Disconnect from power and water lines first. Tape doors shut on washers and dryers.
- ✓ Place at curb, driveway, or alley
- ✓ No need to be home
When do you need appliance removal in Chicago?
- • New appliance arriving and old one needs to go
- • Remodeling kitchen or laundry room
- • Landlord replacing tenant appliances
- • Old appliance broke down and isn't worth repairing
Does Chicago pick up appliances?
Junk removal in Chicago, IL starts at $79 with Dropcurb. The city offers free Bulky Item Pick Up by calling 3-1-1, but as of February 2026, collections are now tied to your regular weekly garbage day — and you can only schedule by phone, not online or through the app. With 2.7 million residents competing for slots, busy neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Wicker Park face longer delays.
City program details: Chicago Bulky Item Pick Up. Call 3-1-1 to schedule free curbside pickup for furniture, appliances, and mattresses. As of February 16, 2026, bulk collections are scheduled on your regular weekly collection day (no longer on separate routes). Free for residents. Items placed in street or alley. No online or app scheduling — phone only. Wait times vary but can run 1-2 weeks during busy periods.
As of February 16, 2026, Chicago bulk collections are scheduled on your regular weekly collection day — call 311 to arrange (phone only, no online/app option). Items are placed in the street or alley. Chicago Grade Landfill charges a $35 fee for untarped loads. TAZ Disposal in McCook charges around $60 per ton for self-haul. Junk Robbers offers junk removal starting at $75-$150 per single item and $150-$250 for quarter truckloads. JUNK Relief specializes in emergency junk removal at $75-$150 per single item with upfront quotes. Smash Bros Junk & Demolition serves Chicago and suburbs with volume-based pricing. Two Men and a Junk Truck starts at $99. LoadUp charges $79 per item. The average junk removal cost in Chicago runs $257-$270 based on 30,690 completed projects (Homeyou, March 2026).
Dropcurb picks up appliances same-day in Chicago for $104 flat — no wait, no annual limits, no restrictions.
Free pickup exists — but only by phone, only on your garbage day.
As of February 2026, Chicago bulk collections happen on your regular weekly garbage day — but you must call 311 to schedule (no online or app option). With 2.7 million residents funneling through the same phone line, wait times pile up. Lincoln Park move-outs, Logan Square renovations, and Pilsen decluttering all compete for the same slots.
1-2 weeks
311 appointment wait time
2,695,598
Residents sharing the system
~$60/ton
Transfer station self-haul rate
What happens to your appliance after pickup
Appliances are recycled at licensed facilities that specialize in handling refrigerants, compressor oils, and heavy metals. Refrigerators and freezers undergo certified Freon recovery before processing — the $25 recycling fee covers this. Steel, copper, aluminum, and other metals are separated and sent to scrap processors. Compressors, motors, and wiring are individually processed. Appliances in working condition may be refurbished and resold or donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Why Chicago residents choose Dropcurb for appliance removal
Dropcurb's $79 skips the 311 phone-only scheduling queue and 1-2 week wait entirely. Same-day curbside pickup — cheaper than Junk Robbers' $99+, cheaper than JUNK Relief's $75-$150 per item (with no volume markup), and infinitely faster than the city's appointment system.
Serving Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, River North, Pilsen, Ukrainian Village, and 4 more neighborhoods in Chicago.
Appliance removal questions in Chicago
Appliance Recycling nearby
Same-day appliance pickup near Chicago.
Related guides
How Much Does Junk Removal Cost in 2026? [Real Prices]
Junk removal costs $79–$800+ in 2026. Compare per-item vs volume pricing from Dropcurb ($79), 1-800-GOT-JUNK ($150–$800), LoadUp ($89+), and DIY options.
E-Waste Recycling & Disposal: How to Get Rid of Old Electronics (2026)
How to recycle or dispose of old electronics in 2026. Compare free drop-off (Best Buy, Staples), curbside pickup ($79), and junk removal ($240+). 25 states have e-waste laws.
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