First, make sure that the appliance is empty and clean. This will help prevent any food odors from leaking out into the air when it's time for disposal. Second, check to see if there are any leaks in the pipes or tubes inside the unit--if so, these may be hazardous and should be repaired before disposal.
Can I Remove Freon From a Fridge Myself? No, you cannot. Unless you are a Section 608 certified technician, you should not attempt to remove Freon from a refrigerator or another appliance like an air conditioner.
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.
Leaving an it on the curb isn't a good idea, either, since you'll have no way to ensure it will be disposed of properly. The safest, most responsible way to recycle or dispose of a refrigerator is to ask for help from a professional.
Steps for preparing a refrigerator for disposal
Remove the shelves and drawers from inside your refrigerator, being careful not to damage them while doing so (they may be attached with screws). Make sure that all doors are closed securely so that cords don't accidentally get caught on anything else during transport.
For an old refrigerator, you can expect to earn around $15 to $30 at a scrap yard. However, be aware that not all scrap yards will accept refrigerators.
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.
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.
To qualify for $50, the unit must be 10 to 30 cubic feet in size. To receive $20, the fridge or freezer must be under 9.9 cubic feet. Use our convenient measurement tool on this page to see if your refrigerator or freezer qualifies for appliance recycling.
Sell It to a Scrapyard
To sell a refrigerator for scrap, you first need to have the refrigerant removed and the lines capped by a licensed repair company. The unit should also be tagged with the proper EPA stickers showing that the refrigerant was properly removed.
The US banned the manufacturing of new air conditioners or refrigeration systems that use Freon back in 2010. As of 2020, no new Freon can be manufactured or imported into the US. Puron, also known as R-410A; Suva; Forane; and EcoFluor, was approved by the EPA as a substitute for Freon.
Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge already on its way out.
And, if all else fails, you can usually sell your old frig, working or not, for scrap. If your working refrigerator is less than 10 years old and in really good condition you can possibly get a few hundred dollars for it, especially from a private party.
Appliance recycling typically entails recovery of refrigerant and removal of hazardous components followed by shredding of evacuated appliances.
Q - How do you remove refrigerant without equipment? A - You don't. EPA regulations require it be removed by a certified technician. It can be toxic, it can be flammable, it can cause environmental damage, it can cause bodily harm.
Water heaters and other appliances that use plumbing for operation are especially worthy of collecting for scrap metal purposes. These types of appliances tend to feature valuable components that are in high demand, such as copper pipes and copper wiring.
Additionally, hazardous materials within both large and small appliances can be highly polluting or toxic. Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers can contain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), for example, which when released into the atmosphere cause significant damage.
Every scrap yard is different, but many do accept common household appliances such as refrigerators or microwaves. If you have an old appliance and you're not sure what to do with it, contact your local scrap yard.
Empty and Unplug the Refrigerator
Make sure you leave several days before your move to empty and clean the refrigerator. It will be essential for the refrigerator to be dry, clean and at room temperature before the actual move. Remove all contents from inside the refrigerator and freezer.
Alternative Ways to Recycle
Local or regional utilities host bounty programs that take back used appliances. Receive discounts and rebates for turning old refrigerators for an ENERGY STAR® qualified model, which saves energy and money on operating costs. Find out more from your utility provider.
To Defrost or Not to Defrost the Fridge
Once it does melt, the water will leak out and cause a mess in the moving truck. A general rule of hoof is if your move is more than a 30-minute drive away, go ahead and defrost the fridge. It's not difficult to do, and it will be one less thing to worry about on moving day.