The Appliance Recycling Process
When a junk removal company picks up a refrigerator, the process looks like this: the appliance goes to a processing facility where the refrigerant is extracted by a certified technician, the compressor and refrigerant-containing components are sent to a refrigerant processor, the steel body is shredded and sent to a steel recycler, and wire and copper tubing are separated and sent to metal recyclers.
A modern refrigerator is roughly 75-80% recyclable by weight. The primary non-recyclable component is the insulating foam in the walls, which typically goes to landfill.
Where to Dispose of a Working Appliance
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Accepts working appliances in good condition at most locations
- Utility company programs: Many electric utilities run appliance recycling programs for old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers -- sometimes with incentive payments of $25-$100
- Appliance retailers: Some retailers haul away old appliances when they deliver new ones -- ask when purchasing
- Junk removal: Fastest option if none of the above apply or if the appliance is non-functional
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old appliances be recycled?
Yes. Appliances are among the most recyclable categories of household items. Steel, copper, aluminum, and other metals make up the bulk of most appliances and have active commodity markets. Refrigerants and insulation require specialized handling, but the metal components of virtually every household appliance have recycling value.
Why do refrigerators and AC units cost extra to dispose of?
Refrigerants -- the chemicals that make cooling systems work -- are regulated under EPA Section 608. Removal and proper handling of refrigerants requires certified technicians. Compressors, refrigerant lines, and insulation must be processed separately from the steel body. This adds cost that most companies pass on as a per-item surcharge of $25-$50.
Do working appliances get resold rather than recycled?
Sometimes. Working appliances in good condition may be resold through appliance resellers or donated to organizations that refurbish and redistribute them to low-income households. Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept working appliances. In practice, most appliances that reach a junk removal truck are beyond practical resale -- they are being replaced for a reason.