How to Get Rid of Old Appliances

Outdated or broken appliances take up valuable space and can be difficult to dispose of safely. Whether you’re replacing a refrigerator, upgrading a washer and dryer, or getting rid of a broken dishwasher, every homeowner eventually needs appliance removal and disposal.

The good news: you have several legal, affordable, and eco-friendly ways to remove appliances, including recycling programs, junk removal services, power-company rebates, and local drop-off options.

This guide explains the best appliance removal methods, costs, and how to find local appliance removal near you.

Jump to:

• Disposal Laws
• Appliance Removal Options (Single Items)
• Appliance Removal for Multiple Appliances
• Costs
• Local Appliance Removal Services Near Me (How to Find)
• FAQs

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Appliance Disposal Laws You Should Know

Most states and cities have regulations requiring special handling of appliances that contain:

• Freon or refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers, AC units)
• Toxic foam insulation
• Electronic components
• Hazardous materials

These appliances cannot be thrown out with regular household trash.

Before disposing of any appliance:

• Check your local government waste management guidelines
• Review EPA appliance recycling rules
• Contact your power company, which may offer free appliance pickup or rebates

Proper disposal helps avoid fines and ensures refrigerants are removed safely.

Best Appliance Removal Options for Single Appliances

1. Hire a Local Junk Removal Service (Fastest Option)

For most people, hiring a junk removal company is the easiest and quickest way to get rid of an appliance.

Here’s how it works:

1. Request a quote online
2. Answer a few questions, like what you need removed and location
3. Receive an upfront quote
4. Get fast removal of your appliance

Typical cost: $100-$150+ per appliance

Junk removal companies handle the heavy lifting, the safe and secure hauling, as well as the legal and eco-friendly disposal. This is ideal for items like refrigerators, washers, dryers, or ovens.

2. Donate or Give Away Working Appliances

If the appliance still works, consider giving it a second life:

• Donate to charities (junk removal companies can do this on your behalf)
• Offer to friends or family
• List on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist

Some charities provide free or low-cost pickup, though availability varies by region.

3. Local Bounty & Recycling Programs

Many cities offer “appliance bounty” or recycling programs that provide:

• Free or low-cost appliance drop-off
• Rebates or discounts for buying Energy Star appliances

Check your municipal waste website or the EPA’s recycling resources for details.

4. Haul to the Landfill Yourself

If you have a truck and the appliance is manageable, you can bring it to a landfill or recycling center.

Be aware of:

• Drop-off fees
• Time required
• The need for proper refrigerant removal

Often, hiring a removal service is easier and safer.

5. Scrap It for Metal

Appliances contain recoverable metals. Scrap yards may pay:

• ~$10 for a refrigerator
• ~$8 for an oven
• ~$12 for a washing machine

Prices vary by market. You’ll need to transport the appliance yourself.

6. Retailer Appliance Haul-Away Services

When you buy a new appliance, many stores offer removal of your old one.

Example: Home Depot usually charges around $25 per appliance.

Power companies may also offer:

• Free refrigerator or freezer pickup
• Rebates for recycling
• Removal of AC units or dehumidifiers

Appliance Removal for Multiple Appliances

If you’re cleaning out a home or replacing several appliances, these methods work best:

1. Rent a Dumpster

This is a great option for getting rid of multiple appliances and other bulky items quickly, all at once, and with little hassle.

Most dumpster companies will take appliances but keep in mind, there may be guidelines to follow. First, make sure the dumpster rental provider allows the appliances you need to get rid of, especially those with refrigerants or toxic foam insulation.

For reference, a 10 yard dumpster will hold the equivalent of about 10 standard-size residential stoves. (A typical stove measures approximately 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft, which is 1 cubic yard.)

Learn more: Cost of Hauling Waste Yourself vs Renting a Dumpster

2. Hire a Junk Removal Company (Most Convenient)

Junk removal companies can handle:

• Entire kitchen appliance sets
• Full home cleanouts
• Heavy items requiring multiple crew members
• Stairs or tight spaces

Typical cost: $200-$400+ for multiple appliances

Price varies based on:

• Number of appliances
• Labor required
• Distance and disposal fees
• Hazardous waste removal (e.g., refrigerator refrigerant fees)

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Appliance Removal Costs

The average cost to remove an appliance is $100-$150 per item, but prices vary based on appliance type, size, location, and whether refrigerants must be removed. If you’re disposing of multiple appliances or large kitchen sets, expect $200-$450+ for bundled pickup.

Below is a detailed breakdown to help you estimate appliance disposal prices near you.

Average Appliance Removal Prices

 

What Affects Appliance Removal Pricing?

Removal companies price services based on several factors:

• Size & Weight of the Appliance: Larger appliances (refrigerators, double ovens, water heaters) require more labor and truck space, increasing cost.
• Refrigerant Removal (Freon): Any appliance containing refrigerant must be professionally evacuated, which adds $20–$50 to the disposal fee.
• Number of Appliances: Most junk haulers offer discounts when removing full kitchen sets, laundry pairs, or multiple bulky items. Bundled pricing can save 10-30% per item.
• Location & Accessibility: Costs may increase if the appliance is in a basement, removal requires stairs or tight corners, long driveway or difficult access. Expect an added $20-$40 if extra labor is involved.
• Local Dumping & Recycling Fees: Cities with strict disposal laws or high landfill tipping fees (common in CA, MA, NY, WA) tend to have higher prices.

Cheapest Ways to Remove Appliances

If you’re trying to save money, these options can significantly reduce your total cost:

Free or Low-Cost Options

There may be free options available in your area, like:

• Utility company rebate programs (often free fridge/freezer pickup)
• Scrap yards (may pay $5-$20 for metal)
• Charity pickup services for working appliances
• City recycling events or transfer stations

These can reduce the cost to $0 if the program applies in your area but may require hauling the appliances yourself and timing the disposal/donation properly.

Multi-Appliance Removal Pricing

If you’re removing an entire set, like a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, and dryer together, many companies will offer package pricing. For example, here are the average costs to haul away multiple appliances:

• 2 appliances: $150-$250
• 3-4 appliances: $250-$380
• 5+ appliances: $350-$500+

With multiple appliances, it's often cheaper to hire a junk removal company to remove them for you than transporting them each yourself.

How to Get the Best Price Near You

If you want the lowest appliance removal cost, here are our top tips:

1. Compare at least 2-3 local junk removal companies on Hometown. See if they offer same-day pickup, discounts for multiple appliances, donation drop-off
2. Make sure they are licensed, insured, and EPA-compliant
3. Request upfront, all-inclusive pricing

Local haulers often beat national brands by 15-30%, especially for single-item pickups.

How to Find Local Appliance Removal Near You

To locate appliance pickup services in your area:

1. Use Hometown to find local appliance removal companies
2. Read about each company and see customer reviews
3. Request free upfront pricing
4. Confirm they handle refrigerant-containing appliances
5. Verify they are licensed and insured

Local haulers often offer:

• Same-day pickup
• Lower pricing than national brands
• Eco-friendly disposal methods, including donation

FAQs

How much does appliance removal cost?

Most single appliances cost $100-$150 to remove, with multiple appliance removal costing $200-$400+ on average.

Does Home Depot remove old appliances?

Yes, usually for about $25 per appliance.

Is appliance removal free?

Sometimes. Power companies may offer free refrigerator or freezer pickup. Some charities also pick up working appliances at no cost.

Can I put appliances on the curb?

Usually no. Appliances with refrigerants or hazardous components require special disposal.

Who picks up old refrigerators?

Options include:

• Junk removal companies
• Power company rebate programs
• City appliance recycling programs
• Retail haul-away services

Learn more:

• Understanding Junk Removal Quotes
• How to Choose the Best Junk Removal Company
• Comparing the Cost of Junk Removal to Dumpster Rental
• Questions to Ask Junk Removal Companies Before Hiring