Just about everybody knows where they can buy a new appliance,
but not everybody knows where to take them when they die. You definitely
can't put them out on the curb, or next to the dumpster. I grew up in
the appliance industry, so please let me offer some advice on the
subject. The following are the most frequently asked questions when it
comes to appliance recycling.
Q. Where do I take my old appliances when they're no longer worth fixing?
A. You can get paid for your old, broken appliances if you bring them to the right place. There are metal recycling centers just about everywhere in the country. At the time of this writing, the one a couple towns over from me are paying about ten cents a pound. Of course, gas is just under $4 per gallon, so it's not really worth the couple of hours and ten dollars in fuel that it would take to get them there. Fortunately, there are used appliance stores in just about every city willing to take your old appliances off your hands free of charge. Most of them will require you to bring them in, but are usually willing to pick them up for a small fee.
Q. Why do appliance companies charge you when they're likely going to just fill up a truck and bring them across town to the recycling center where they'll be paid for them?
A. Your appliance may only be worth a few bucks at the recycling center and as I mentioned a second ago, this is wiped out by the cost of fuel. Plus, they have overhead. To remain in business, they need to have a license, a truck, insurance, and they will need to pay a guy to pick up your appliance and bring it to the scrap yard. These guys do need to make a little bit of a profit to stay in business; after all, they are providing a service to the community.
Q. Will appliance centers and recycling centers accept all types of appliances?
A. No. You will likely meet resistance or additional charges when you bring in a t.v., refrigerator, freezer, or a/c unit, and new to the list, plastic dishwashers. In my town the scrap yards have stopped accepting plastic dishwashers all together because they have little-to-no metal content which is where they make their money.
Q. So, where do I take my refrigerator, freezer, or a/c unit if the recycling centers won't take them?
A. Some of them will actually accept them; there will just be a charge. In my area, it's about $30. Appliances stores will take them as well, usually for a similar price, and they likely offer a pickup service for a little more money.
Q. What do I do about the t.v.'s and plastic dishwashers?
A. They will need to go to the dump, unless they are working. If they still work, or only require minor repair, you should be able to get an appliance store to accept them free of charge.
As a general rule, your broken appliances should be brought to either a metal recycling center, or a used appliance dealer. Metal recycling centers are the most economical choice, but are usually located just outside of town. If you live just outside of town you're in luck. If you don't have a truck, or just don't want the labor, there's likely an appliance store in your area that would be happy to pick them up for you.
Q. Where do I take my old appliances when they're no longer worth fixing?
A. You can get paid for your old, broken appliances if you bring them to the right place. There are metal recycling centers just about everywhere in the country. At the time of this writing, the one a couple towns over from me are paying about ten cents a pound. Of course, gas is just under $4 per gallon, so it's not really worth the couple of hours and ten dollars in fuel that it would take to get them there. Fortunately, there are used appliance stores in just about every city willing to take your old appliances off your hands free of charge. Most of them will require you to bring them in, but are usually willing to pick them up for a small fee.
Q. Why do appliance companies charge you when they're likely going to just fill up a truck and bring them across town to the recycling center where they'll be paid for them?
A. Your appliance may only be worth a few bucks at the recycling center and as I mentioned a second ago, this is wiped out by the cost of fuel. Plus, they have overhead. To remain in business, they need to have a license, a truck, insurance, and they will need to pay a guy to pick up your appliance and bring it to the scrap yard. These guys do need to make a little bit of a profit to stay in business; after all, they are providing a service to the community.
Q. Will appliance centers and recycling centers accept all types of appliances?
A. No. You will likely meet resistance or additional charges when you bring in a t.v., refrigerator, freezer, or a/c unit, and new to the list, plastic dishwashers. In my town the scrap yards have stopped accepting plastic dishwashers all together because they have little-to-no metal content which is where they make their money.
Q. So, where do I take my refrigerator, freezer, or a/c unit if the recycling centers won't take them?
A. Some of them will actually accept them; there will just be a charge. In my area, it's about $30. Appliances stores will take them as well, usually for a similar price, and they likely offer a pickup service for a little more money.
Q. What do I do about the t.v.'s and plastic dishwashers?
A. They will need to go to the dump, unless they are working. If they still work, or only require minor repair, you should be able to get an appliance store to accept them free of charge.
As a general rule, your broken appliances should be brought to either a metal recycling center, or a used appliance dealer. Metal recycling centers are the most economical choice, but are usually located just outside of town. If you live just outside of town you're in luck. If you don't have a truck, or just don't want the labor, there's likely an appliance store in your area that would be happy to pick them up for you.
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