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So You Want To Recycle A Refrigerator

Posted by Junk King on Feb 4, 2020 11:12:31 AM

so-you-want-to-recycle-a-refrigerator

You have an old refrigerator that no longer works. And you don't want to dump it and now you're wondering how to recycle a refrigerator. 

Good news! We can make it really easy for you.

Why It's Better to Recycle a Refrigerator That No Longer Works

We've noted here many times how it's not such a great option to simply dispose of old refrigerators by taking them to the dump. 

Landfills are facing a nationwide crisis with diminishing space and landfills closing faster than new ones can be approved. According to Statista, in 2017, the United States had 1,269 municipal waste landfills, most of which were located on the West Coast. 

However, this is dramatically less than there were as recently as 1990 when there were over 6,300 - or five times as many - landfills operating in the country.  Yet, the per capita municipal solid waste generation in the U.S. hasn't decreased significantly in since 1990.

You can do the math, but the bottom line is that landfills are rapidly becoming an undesirable option for junk and appliance disposal.

So, what else can you do with that old refrigerator that no longer works?

 

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You Can Try Selling Your Non-Working Fridge

You certainly won't get as much for it as you would if it was in good, working condition, but scrap metal can bring you some cash. 

According to a post at Well Kept Wallet,

"Selling your refrigerator to a company or individual that recycles scrap metal could bring you some cash even if the fridge no longer works. Scrap metal companies and individual recyclers will often buy old appliances and break them down, selling them for parts or to companies that turn the metal into other items."

Sites like Got Scrap help you to find scrap metal facilities that will pay you if you bring in your old refrigerator. But you still have to bring it in. And that can be a problem.

You could also try selling it to a private party for the purposes of either scrapping it themselves or even refurbishing it. And, if your old refrigerator is not working, but in otherwise really good condition, you might be able to sell it to a second-hand appliance shop. 

Searching for listings on web sites such as Craigslist might bring up a potential buyer, as can placing your own listing.

 

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Why, Yes, You Can Recycle a Refrigerator

It's estimated that approximately 90 percent or more of a typical refrigerator can be effectively recycled. This is good news for a number of reasons, not the least being the reduced impact you will have on the environment and the economy.

The various components of the refrigerator are removed along with the toxic materials such as oils, mercury and any electronics. And the potentially harmful refrigerants are professionally removed and disposed of, as well. 

Most of this dismantling is done manually and the various materials are often shipped off to other specialty facilities for processing, such as the tempered glass and the ABS plastic. Even the old refrigerants are typically captured in containers and shipped to plants for proper disposal.

The best part is that you don't have to do any of this yourself. Nor do you have to take it to the recycling facility - we can do it for you!

With the average unit weighing around 200 to 300 pounds, moving, loading and hauling a refrigerator is not a DIY job. While you could do this, with help, it's still a major operation for the average homeowner and you need to have a suitable vehicle, as well.

 

recycle-a-refrigerator

 

Schedule a Time to Recycle a Refrigerator

Junk King provides an efficient, safe, and eco-friendly old refrigerator removal service.

With Junk King you don’t have to worry about the pickup or disposal of your used refrigerator. And, because our priority is preserving the environment, we will make sure that your old refrigerator ends up in the right place, whether that’s a local charity, or a recycling facility. So contact us for all your appliance disposal needs.

Our professional and insured appliance removal team will show up at your home and we call 15 minutes before we arrive on site. Once there, we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your appliances take up in our truck. You point and we haul those items into our junk removal trucks, with no hidden fees.

Scheduling your refrigerator recycling pick-up is as simple as 1, 2, 3.

You can make an appointment by booking online or by calling 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).

 

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Topics: Refrigerator Disposal, Refrigerator Recycling, appliance recycling, appliance recyclers, refrigerator removal

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