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Disposing of old appliances requires knowing which ones are accepted in dumpsters and which require special handling due to refrigerants, mercury, or other regulated substances. This guide covers every common household appliance.
Most household appliances can be placed in a roll-off dumpster, but certain appliances containing refrigerant (freon), mercury, or PCBs require special handling before disposal. Knowing the difference saves you time, avoids fines, and ensures compliance with EPA regulations.
Drain completely before disposal.
Drain all fuel and oil first.
Contain refrigerant (freon) that must be professionally evacuated by an EPA-certified technician before disposal.
Contain refrigerant. Must be professionally evacuated.
May contain HCFC refrigerant requiring professional evacuation.
Contain refrigerant. Same handling as refrigerators.
Mercury-containing thermostats must be recycled through thermostat recycling programs.
Recommended container sizes based on typical appliances project scope.
10 Yard
12' x 8' x 3.5' | 1 ton
Disposing of a few appliances alongside a small cleanout project.
View Size Details15 Yard
16' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 1.5 tons
Kitchen remodel with multiple appliance removals plus cabinets and other debris.
View Size Details20 Yard
22' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 2 tons
Full kitchen and laundry remodel with appliances, cabinets, flooring, and more.
View Size DetailsAverage weight: Varies widely by appliance type
Individual appliance weights vary significantly. A washing machine weighs 150-200 lbs, a stove 125-200 lbs, a dishwasher 75-125 lbs, and a hot water heater 100-150 lbs (empty). Most appliances are dense but do not take up much volume. If you are disposing of only a few appliances, they will add weight to your load but use minimal dumpster space.
Before putting any appliance in a dumpster, verify it does not contain refrigerant. Refrigerators, freezers, AC units, and some dehumidifiers all contain freon that must be professionally removed first.
Hot water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers contain residual water. Drain them before loading. Lawn mowers and snow blowers must have fuel and oil drained and disposed of at an auto parts store.
Gas stoves, dryers, and water heaters must have gas lines properly capped before removal. If you are not comfortable doing this, hire a plumber or contact your gas utility.
Use the dumpster's rear swing door to walk or dolly heavy appliances directly into the container rather than lifting them over the side.
Appliances are primarily steel, which is 100% recyclable. Many scrap yards will pick up appliances for free or even pay you for them. Retailers also commonly offer haul-away when delivering new appliances.
EPA Section 608 requires that refrigerant be recovered from appliances by a certified technician before disposal. Fines for improper refrigerant venting can reach $44,539 per day per violation.
Many states prohibit appliances from standard landfills and require appliance recycling programs.
Mercury-containing thermostats must be recycled through the Thermostat Recycling Corporation program or equivalent.
Some utilities offer appliance recycling programs with free pickup and even cash incentives ($25-$75) for working refrigerators and freezers.
Appliances are among the most recyclable household items. Steel, copper, aluminum, and other metals can be recovered and reused. Proper disposal also prevents refrigerants, mercury, and other pollutants from entering the environment.
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Common questions about disposing of appliances in a dumpster.
Not without preparation. Refrigerators contain refrigerant (freon) that must be professionally evacuated by an EPA-certified technician before the unit can be placed in a dumpster. Once the freon is removed and documented, the empty refrigerator can go in the dumpster. Our junk removal service handles this for you.
Washing machines do not contain refrigerant, so they can go directly into a roll-off dumpster. Drain any residual water first. Alternatively, scrap metal yards often accept washing machines for free, and retailers may haul away your old unit when delivering a new one.
Yes, after properly disconnecting the gas line (for gas stoves). Electric stoves can go directly into the dumpster. For gas stoves, ensure the gas line is properly capped by a qualified person before removing the unit.
The best approach depends on the appliance condition. Working appliances: donate to charity or sell. Non-working appliances without freon: place in a dumpster or take to a scrap yard. Freon-containing appliances: use a professional removal service, utility recycling program, or our junk removal crew.
Many appliance retailers offer free haul-away of your old appliance when delivering a new one. Big-box stores like Home Depot, Lowes, and Best Buy typically offer this service. Check at the time of purchase, as policies vary by location and appliance type.
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