Disposing of a microwave typically costs anywhere from free to $200, depending on how you get rid of it. Options range from free drop-off and scrap-metal recycling to paid at-home junk removal.
Contact your council, or charities or social enterprises in the area to see if they provide a collection service. If you're buying a microwave, the retailer should take your old one back. Find your nearest drop-off or collection point for electricals by entering your postcode in our recycling locator.
You typically can't toss them into curbside bins designated for recycling or yard waste. Standard weekly pickups do not include microwaves. Special arrangements or bulky/e-waste pickups may be necessary, depending on your neighborhood.
Recycle It
Recycling your old microwave is a great, eco-friendly way to get it off your hands. Some recycling centers will even offer cash incentives, particularly if you're tossing more than one appliance at once. Check out RecyclerFinder.com, your utility company website or local government for more information.
1. Municipal Bulk Trash Pickup Programs. Many cities and counties offer free trash pickup for large or bulky items through municipal waste programs. This option can be a helpful way to dispose of furniture, mattresses, yard waste, or old appliances without paying a fee, if you're willing to wait.
Our pricing is primarily based on volume, meaning how much space your items take up in our truck. This volume-based pricing model ensures you only pay for the capacity you actually use, from a minimum of ⅛ of a truck all the way up to a full truckload.
But unlike tossing out old containers or cans, you cannot simply throw a microwave into the regular trash. Microwaves fall under electronic waste because they contain electronic parts, small appliance components, and sometimes heavy metals.
Yes, old microwaves can be worth anything from $5 to $550, depending on whether they work, their brand, or their scrap metal value.
A 20-year-old microwave is generally safe to use if it is physically intact and functioning correctly. However, microwaves of this age are far beyond their standard 10-year lifespan and carry higher risks of failing safety mechanisms, degraded door seals, and electrical short circuits.
Large electrical retailers are required to accept WEEE free of charge from members of the public. Check with your local electrical retailer.
Microwaves are categorized as electronic waste or e-waste. This means that discarded, used electronics should be reserved from regular trash and instead sent for refurbishment, resale, disposal or salvage recycling.
Common E-Waste Items You Should Never Throw Away
If your microwave is inoperable and you've concluded repair or replacement of parts isn't feasible, it's time for recycling. The materials and components of a microwave can be considered hazardous waste or household hazardous waste depending on regulations in your area.
We collect all kinds of scrap metal including, but not limited to: washing machines, cookers, dishwashers, car batteries, boilers, radiators, bikes, copper cylinders, cars, TV's, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, gates, bed frames, gym equipment lawn mowers, cast iron baths, alloy wheels and pretty much any electronic ...
Home Depot does remove old appliances but only with delivery and at a fee. Alternatives like Junk Quest Removal offer more flexibility and better service.
How to Dispose of a Microwave
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.
Good news! Microwaves can be recycled with your electronics OR your scrap metal. Be sure to ask your recycling center operator to see if your center has a preference. If you choose to put your microwaves with your scrap metal, CAPACITORS MUST BE REMOVED.
If your old microwave is still working, you can donate it to a local thrift store, pass it on via Craigslist or Freecycle, or give it to local shelters. If it's broken, safely recycle it at a local scrap metal yard or a designated e-waste facility.
Unplug the Microwave or Disconnect It From Power
The average lifespan of a microwave is 7 to 10 years. This timeline largely depends on the model's quality, how frequently it is used, and routine maintenance.
Included in your price is all the labor, transportation, and disposal fees.
Prices have slowly climbed due to lingering pandemic impacts, rising rents, and higher franchise fees, while portions have done the opposite.
You can charge anywhere from $70 to $570 for residential trash removal. However, junk removal charges can vary depending on how you choose to set rates.