Talk to Your Local Scrap Metal Recycler. Thousands of local scrap metal recyclers can recycle old fridges and freezers. Ask your scrap metal recycler for assurance that your old unit will be properly recycled.
How much is a refrigerator worth in scrap? A typical refrigerator weighs 150-250 lbs and contains mostly steel. At current scrap prices, expect $8-20 for the steel alone. However, the compressor contains copper worth $3-8 extra, and if you separate the copper tubing, you can add another $2-5.
You can sell your old refrigerators directly to the scrap yard, and you can get about $15 to $50 per unit, depending on their weight, condition, and local market price. Or you can disassemble the refrigerator as we mentioned above and sell the parts separately to get more profits.
A scrap man may take a fridge or freezer away, but typically not for free since these white goods cannot be scrapped ordinarily at scrap yards. Fridges and freezers can be salvaged for their steel, aluminium, copper, and other materials which typically make up around half of the total weight of the fridge/freezer.
Let's say you have a 5-year-old GE refrigerator that originally cost $750. Depreciation per year: $750 / 15 years (expected lifespan) = $50 Life left: 15 - 5 = 10 years Value: 10 years x $50 = $500 If the refrigerator is in excellent condition and there's high demand in your area, you might price it around $500.
Check with Your State Energy Office or Local Electric Utility. Local utilities and energy-efficiency organizations support a growing number of refrigerator and freezer recycling programs. Some programs offer cash to recycle your old fridge; others offer utility bill credits. Ask about Municipal Pick-Up of Appliances.
Scrap aluminum typically ranges from $0.45 to over $1.00 per pound. If you're a buyer, seller, or recycler, understanding aluminum pricing will help you make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Many scrap metal yards do accept refrigerators, but there are several important factors to consider before you haul one in. While refrigerators are indeed made mostly of scrapable metals like steel, they also contain hazardous components that require special handling.
Scrap men don't take them because they have to be de gassed. Whether you are a Council Tenant or not you just ring the council for a collection or discuss with the local tip.
Modern refrigerators and freezers consist of a sheet metal outer casing and an inner liner made of polystyrene. In between these is a layer of rigid polyurethane foam that acts as both a structural and an insulating material that is applied and cured in appliance manufacturers' assembly line.
The Math Behind the Money
To earn $100, you need to collect 200 pounds of aluminum ($100 divided by $0.50). Since it takes about 32 cans to make one pound, you multiply 200 pounds by 32. This means you need approximately 6,400 standard 12-ounce cans to make $100.
Scrap metal companies and individual recyclers will often buy old appliances and break them down, selling them for parts or to companies that turn the metal into other items. Got Scrap and other similar web sites help people find scrap yards that will pay you if you bring in your old refrigerator.
Electric heating systems and tumble dryers tend to be the most expensive electrical items to run because they use large amounts of power over extended periods. Other high-cost appliances include electric ovens and immersion heaters.
How to Prep Your Appliances for Scrap Metal Recycling
You can make money on an old fridge by selling it secondhand or for parts to a scrapyard. If your refrigerator still works, you can sell it online; if it doesn't work, you can sell the scraps.
5 Home Appliances with the Highest Copper Content
A typical refrigerator weighs roughly 150-250 lbs (68-113 kg), of which 65-75% is metal, primarily steel. A standard unit contains roughly 120-140 lbs of ferrous metal (steel), along with 2-4 kg of non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum in the coils, motor, and wiring.
Large appliances are particularly valuable in the recycling stream. Washing machines and dryers incorporate steel frames, copper wiring, and sometimes aluminum components. Refrigerators house copper tubing, aluminum shelving, and steel casings.
Refrigerators contain valuable materials like copper, aluminum, and steel, making them worth scrapping for cash.
My scrap metal collectors charge for fridges cos they cost to dispose of - it's the chemicals. So unlike say an old cooker, it won't get lifted. Pay the council. Just pay the council or put it on your local Facebook page as free, collection only.
Fridges & Freezers YES: We can collect for a small charge pease enquire for further details.
Copper is the leading choice in scrap metal values today. In early 2026, current prices for premium grades have surged well past $4 per pound, making it highly lucrative for waste management operations.
Contact your council, or charities or social enterprises in the area to see if they provide a collection service. If you're buying a fridge or freezer, the retailer should take your old one away. Find your nearest drop-off or collection point for electricals by entering your postcode in our recycling locator.