If you have an old refrigerator that is not cooling properly, leaks water, or makes strange gurgling noises, chances are it’s time to move on. While many people keep their old refrigerators as a novelty piece (as in the case of this now famous second-hand fridge from the 90s) or because they have sentimental value (like this beautiful classic red fridge), most homeowners would agree it’s probably not worth keeping around if it’s breaking down and costing you money. There are plenty of different options when it comes to removing your old refrigerator. Here’s how you can get rid of that unwanted appliance.

Hire a Pro to Remove Your Old Refrigerator

If you have an old refrigerator that is still in working order, you might want to consider hiring a professional to remove it. Whether you’re moving, renovating, or starting construction on a new home, you might have to get rid of your old fridge, and hiring a professional is often the easiest and quickest way to do so. Major appliance removal companies can typically come out to your home (sometimes even on the same day), remove your old fridge, and then recycle it all for you. While there are plenty of removal companies out there, it’s important to note that not all of them recycle, so make sure you check that the company you use is environmentally friendly and recycles any old fridges they might come across.

Removing an Old Fridge Yourself

Ideally you’d want to get a qualified appliance removal service to take care of this for you, but if you don’t have the extra cash or don’t want to wait around for a company to come out to your home, you can always do it yourself. You’ll want to make sure that you’re careful when removing the fridge from your property, as you don’t want it to fall and damage anything. It’s also important to remember that fridges can be very heavy, so you may want to find a few friends to help you out with the process. Once the fridge is removed from your home, you’ll want to look into finding a recycling or disposal company that will take it from you. Here are a few options for you to consider. – You can call your local waste and recycling company to see if they offer any services to remove and recycle old appliances. – If you find yourself near a scrap metal yard, you can often drop off your fridge for scrap metal and they’ll give you money for it. – You can also check to see if your city has a service that picks up old appliances and removes them from your home.

Recycling Options for Old Fridges – Responsible Appliance Disposal

Refrigerator recycling program! When you’re looking to dispose of your old fridge, the best thing you can do is look for a company that recycles the parts. Not only are you helping the environment by getting rid of your old fridge, but you’re also making sure that nothing goes to waste. Here are a few common parts of old fridges that can be recycled. – Copper wiring: New wiring is typically made from copper, so if you’re removing an older fridge, you may want to leave the wiring in place so it can be recycled. – Steel: Newer fridges use a lot of steel, so make sure you check to see if you have any external steel parts before disposing of the fridge. – Lead: While older fridges may not have much lead in them, some of the older models may have lead in the solder joint.

Free Options for Refrigerator Removal

If you’re unable to find a company that will take your old fridge away for free, you can always look into hiring a junk removal company for their appliance pickup services to come out to your home and remove the fridge for a small fee. Once your fridge has been removed from your home, you can search online for nearby landfills and recycling or disposal facilities to see if they will take your old fridge off your hands. Some landfills might take the fridge as part of their waste removal services, while other facilities may charge you a small fee to take it off your hands. Some cities also have a fridge exchange, where you can bring in your old fridge and they’ll give you a new, energy efficient fridge in exchange. Keep in mind that the fridge exchange may limit you to a certain size or brand of fridge, so make sure to check the rules before bringing in your old fridge.

Local Charities

Most people don’t think about where their old appliances go when they get rid of them. But the truth is, that improper disposal of refrigerators can have a serious impact on the environment. When refrigerators are sent to landfills, the Freon gas that’s used for cooling can leak out and damage the ozone layer. And because refrigerators contain a mix of metals and other materials, they can be difficult to break down once they’re in the ground.

Fortunately, there are a number of local charities that will take your old refrigerator off your hands and ensure that it’s properly recycled. In addition to helping the environment, you’ll also be supporting a good cause. So next time you’re looking to upgrade your fridge, remember that a local charity is a great option for proper refrigerator disposal.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of ways for proper refrigerator disposal of your old refrigerator. Whether you hire a professional to remove it, remove it yourself, or find a way to recycle the parts, it’s important to get rid of your old fridge as quickly as possible. Old fridges are notorious for leaking water and can cause serious damage to your home if they aren’t removed. Once you’ve gotten rid of the old fridge, you can move ahead with your new plans or rest easy knowing you’re no longer dealing with old appliances.