Refrigerator removal is not the easiest chore a homeowner has to deal with. But there are a few things you should know before you start.

So, you have an old refrigerator that you no longer need or no longer works. What do you do with it?

Actually, that can be the easy part. The harder part is to know what you should do with it if you aren't ready to dispose of it yet. Maybe it's still working and you want to sell it, if possible. Or you just haven't decided what to do with it yet, so it's being stored in the garage or on the patio.

The question then, is how safe is it?

Safe Refrigerator Removal and Storage

One of the most unfortunate aspects of old refrigerators - especially those left unattended or simply dumped somewhere - is that they can be deadly. 

Because they are designed to be virtually airtight, they present a real and often fatal danger for small children who might crawl inside and then shut the door. The result is known as "Refrigerator Death."

According to Wikipedia,

"A refrigerator death is death by suffocation in a refrigerator or similar appliance such as a freezer. Because, by design, such appliances are air-tight when closed, a person entrapped inside will have a low supply of oxygen. Early refrigerators could only be opened from the outside, making accidental entrapment a possibility, particularly of children playing with discarded appliances; several such deaths have been recorded."

Refrigerators first became common household appliance beginning in the 1930s. But it was in the late 1940s, when production of refrigerators resumed after World War II, that large numbers of old refrigerators were often disposed of

Tragically, number of deaths of children in the United States occurred before the passage of the Refrigerator Safety Act in 1956.  The New York Times reported in that year that during the previous decade 115 children had died in this way. Consumers were warned not to abandon refrigerators and to remove the doors of unused refrigerators.

Fortunately, all modern refrigerator designs are built with a magnetic mechanism that can be opened from the inside, reducing the danger of accidental entrapment.

Then there's the refrigerant.

Some appliances such as refrigerators and a/c window units still contain Freon, a solvent that is harmful to the environment. Freon, or R-12, can damage the ozone layer, which caused the U.S. government to issue a ban on its use in new refrigerators and air-conditioning systems in 1994.

A less harmful replacement known as R-134a (tetrafluoroethane), has been in common use since 1990, but Freon (R-12) is still found in many old systems today. The Freon must be handled carefully and collected by a recycling center before the appliance itself can be recycled.

Old Refrigerators: Removal and Recycling

One of the best things about refrigerator removal is that these appliances are highly recyclable. Once any toxic or hazardous components have been professionally removed, over 90 percent of everything in that old fridge can be recycled and reused.

In fact, according the EPA,

"Almost all of the materials in your refrigerator or freezer can be recycled. This includes the metal cabinet, plastic liner, glass shelves, the refrigerant and oil in the compressor, and the blowing agent contained in polyurethane foam insulation."

And the very best thing about refrigerator removal is that you don't have to do it yourself!

Ready to get your old refrigerator ready? Here's a handy checklist to get you started:

Recycling: The Best Refrigerator Removal Option

If you determine that you're not able to sell your old refrigerator or even donate it, what do you do with it?

For many people the seemingly obvious answer is to simply dump it. But that's actually the worst thing you could do. And that's assuming you even can dump it somewhere. 

Because so much of what makes up a refrigerator can be efficiently recycled and the material reused, taking it to a recycling facility is the better option.

And, depending on where you live, getting your refrigerator to a proper place for recycling is pretty simple. In fact, the simplest and easiest way to get rid of your old refrigerator in and environmentally acceptable way is to call a junk removal expert. 

And Junk King is your best choice for that task.

Your Refrigerator Removal Partners

Junk King provides efficient, safe and eco-friendly refrigerator removal service to make the entire process easy for you. Our experienced refrigerator removal team can quickly and easily haul off that old fridge without damaging your home in the process.

And we'll do all the heavy lifting!

More importantly, we’ll make sure that the refrigerator is disposed of at a proper recycling facility so that it doesn’t do any harm to our ecosystem.

Our professional and insured refrigerator disposal team will show up at your home or office and we'll call 15 minutes before we arrive at your home. And, when we do arrive, we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your items take up in our truck.

You lead the way and we'll haul your old fridge and other items into our junk removal trucks, and with no hidden fees.

When it comes to refrigerator removal, Junk King is your trusted partner, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need. Our appliance disposal services encompass responsible removal, and we're committed to eco-friendly disposal practices. We understand the importance of fridge recycling and adhere to refrigerator disposal guidelines to ensure your old appliance is handled with care and in an environmentally responsible manner. With our refrigerator hauling services, you can count on us to make the process hassle-free and efficient. Trust Junk King for all your refrigerator removal needs, and rest easy knowing that we prioritize responsible and eco-friendly practices throughout the entire process.

Ready to get rid of your old refrigerator? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3. You make an appointment by booking online above or by calling 1.888.888.JUNK (5865)

Ready to say goodbye to that old fridge and reclaim your space? Junk King has all the answers and services you need. Contact us now to schedule your refrigerator removal with ease. Let's make your kitchen cleaner, your energy bills lower, and your life clutter-free. Get started today for a hassle-free refrigerator removal experience!