Looking to get rid of your old fridge freezer? Our comprehensive guide walks you through the most eco-friendly and efficient methods for disposal and recycling.
When it’s time to replace your old fridge freezer, it’s not just about buying a new one; you also have to find out how to properly dispose of the old one.
In UK, It’s not legal to dispose of fridges in landfills or on the roadside because they contain hazardous materials such as refrigerants and heavy metals. Improper disposal can harm our environment.
So, it’s important to follow the right procedure for fridge freezer disposal to remove hazardous components, and all the valuable materials inside are repurposed or reused.
Here we made complete guide on how to dispose of or recycle your old fridge freezer.
Start looking for your local recycling services or council waste collection programs. Many of them provide special collection services for household e-waste like refrigerators and freezers and ensure your appliance is recycled properly. Local councils offer specific guidelines or drop-off locations for old appliances, including fridge freezers.
Visit your city council website for more details about the recycling programme provided by your local city council. In some areas, you need to pay a small fee for fridge disposal, while others might offer free recycling or pickup services.
Recycling centres specializing in electronic waste, fridges freezers and large appliances are well-equipped to handle the proper disposal.
All the certified recycling centres in the UK are permitted to remove unsafe materials such as refrigerants, oils, and other dangerous substances and dispose of everything perfectly. Components like metal, plastic, and glass—are recycled.
How to find a certified recycling center:
Tip: For more details on appliance recycling, you can check our post on how to dispose of electronic waste.
Before buying a new fridge or freezer, check with retailers if they offer a takeback or disposal service for your old appliances. Many major appliance retailers offer takeback service and may charge a small fee. So it’s better to confirm everything first to make the recycling and buying experience stress-free.
Inquire at the time of purchase whether they will take away your old fridge freezer when they deliver the new one.
If local councils or recycling centres are not available around you, consider hiring a professional junk removal service to pick up and dispose of your old fridge freezer is the perfect choice.
These junk removal companies specialise in bulky, heavy items and ensure they are disposed of or recycle everthing properly.
If you’re also looking for efficient and cost-effective ways to manage general waste, you may want to consider our skip hire services.
If your fridge freezer still works and is in decent working condition, you can easily donate to charity organizations and resell it. Many people are looking to buy secondhand electronic appliances especially used fridges and freezers for their garages, apartments, or as backups.
Reach out to local charity organizations like Habitat for Humanity or local shelters may accept working fridges and freezers.
Many secondhand stores, non-profits, or people in need may be interested in taking your appliance and websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay are good platforms for reselling your used fridge freezer.
Donating or selling is not only environmentally friendly but also helps someone who really needs these appliances at cheap prices.
Additionally, if you are managing multiple household waste items, be sure to check our how to dispose of kitchen waste guide.
Some UK councils, utilities, or governmental programmes provide incentives for recycling or disposing of old fridges and freezers.
In some places, you may even receive a rebate or discount for recycling your old appliance, especially if the fridge model is an energy saver. They pick up old fridges for free and replace them with energy-efficient models.
After collecting your old appliances or fridge freezer go through various steps to make sure that all the hazardous materials are removed and reusable components are repurposed:
Once you’ve chosen your disposal method, it’s time to prepare the fridge freezer for removal.
The cost of disposing of a fridge freezer can vary depending on the method you choose:
Recycling or disposing of your old fridge freezer is important for protecting the environment and ensuring the safe handling of hazardous materials.
There are plenty of responsible options available, such as donating to charity organizations, selling, recycling, or scheduling a pick-up with a junk removal service. Follow local regulations and look for certified recycling centres to ensure your appliance is disposed of properly.
By recycling your old fridge freezer reduces waste, conserve resources, and protect the planet. For all your waste management needs, consider our skip hire services for an easy and convenient solution.
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