How to dispose of Refrigerator / Freezer

Steps

1. If the unit works, consider donating to charity or selling.
2. If not working: Contact your electric utility — many offer free pickup and rebates for old units.
3. Never cut charged lines or vent refrigerant yourself. Arrange an appliance recycler or recovery service that follows EPA safe-disposal requirements.
4. Schedule pickup with your waste hauler for bulky appliance recycling.
5. Prevent child entrapment using the manufacturer’s door-removal or latch-disabling instructions; keep children away and follow local pickup rules.

Arrange refrigerant recovery before final disposal. EPA does not require Section 608 certification solely for small-appliance recovery in the disposal waste stream; equipment servicing has different requirements.

Working refrigerators can be donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStores or Salvation Army.