Appliance Disposal
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Information for Consumers
Appliance owners play a critical role in helping to prevent emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through proper appliance disposal. The sections below provide consumers with information on environmental concerns, appliance disposal, and regulatory requirements.
Environmental Concerns
What are the environmental concerns associated with the disposal of refrigerated household appliances?
Historically, household appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, window air-conditioning units, and dehumidifiers contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used as refrigerant and within insulation foam. These substances are ODS that destroy the ozone layer if released into the environment and have been phased out under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Older appliances may also contain mercury (e.g., switches and relays), contaminated oils, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are hazardous substances that cause adverse ecological and human health effects.
Due to the phaseout of ODS refrigerants under the CAA, manufacturers transitioned to HFC refrigerants which are being phased down under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. More recently, some new refrigerated appliances are being manufactured with non-fluorinated refrigerants such as R-290 (propane).
Appliance Disposal
How can I dispose of my refrigerated appliance?
You should first check with your electric utility to see if a rebate or bounty (i.e., appliance turn-in) program is offered in your area. Because some rebate or bounty programs have required specifications for appliances (e.g., must be in working condition, of a minimum age and/or dimension), you may also need to confirm that your appliance meets program requirements.
You may also want to check with your local municipality. While some municipalities may require that you make an appointment for bulky item collection, others may require that you haul items to a transfer station or landfill (your municipality can direct you to a solid waste contractor for more information). Municipalities may also require the refrigerant to be recovered from appliances before they will accept it for pick-up. In such cases, you would need a professional, such as an employee of an appliance repair shop, to remove the refrigerant prior to disposal.
Another option is to contact a local organization or retailer. Some organizations or retailers offer appliance pick-up and disposal services with the purchase and delivery of a new piece of equipment. Others may allow you to drop off the old appliance at the retail establishment at no charge, and some may even provide small vouchers or discounts in return for appliances.
What typically happens to my old refrigerator or freezer once I get rid of it?
After appliances are collected, they can be resold, recycled, or landfilled.
- Resale: Sometimes appliances that are in working condition are refurbished and resold domestically or abroad. Because these appliances consume large amounts of electricity and are less efficient toward the end-of-life, appliance re-sale should be avoided to save energy.
- Recycling: Almost all the materials in your refrigerator or freezer can be recycled. This includes the metal cabinet, the refrigerant and oil in the compressor, and the blowing agent contained in polyurethane foam insulation. Appliance recycling typically entails recovery of refrigerant and removal of hazardous components followed by shredding of evacuated appliances. Metal components are typically separated and recycled, while glass, plastics and polyurethane foam, are typically sent to a landfill. Because there are no requirements for foam recovery, the blowing agent contained in the foam insulation is typically emitted during shredding and landfilling.
- Landfilling: Typically, when a waste hauler brings appliances to a landfill, refrigerated appliances are separated until a technician recovers refrigerant and other hazardous components. The appliances are then landfilled. Sometimes disposed appliances are landfilled whole, without shredding or removal of durable components.
Regulatory Information
Do persons recovering refrigerant from disposed appliances need to be certified?
Persons recovering refrigerant from small appliances (i.e., appliances containing five pounds or less of refrigerant) in the waste stream are not required to be Clean Air Act section 608 certified.
Are the hazardous components or insulating foam contained in appliances regulated?
Hazardous components, including PCBs, mercury, and compressor oil, must be removed from appliances before disposal in accordance with 40 CFR Parts 273, 279, 761. However, the treatment of foam is not regulated.
How does EPA ensure that refrigerant is recovered from appliances in compliance with all regulations?
The final disposer of appliances is responsible for recovering any refrigerant contained in appliances. If the entity that recovers the refrigerant is not the final disposer of the appliance, EPA requires a signed statement containing the name and address of the person who recovered the refrigerant, and the date that the refrigerant was recovered. Please note that no sticker is required for disposal.
Despite these regulations, illegal activities (e.g., appliance dumping, venting of refrigerant, release of hazardous components to the environment) still occur. To the extent possible, schedule the collection of your appliance with your Department of Public Works, a retailer, rebate or bounty program, or other recyclers. Appliances left curbside might be landfilled or otherwise disposed of in an unsafe manner.
Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program History (2006—2025)
Launched in 2006, the RAD Program was designed as a voluntary partnership program to reduce emissions of ODS and HFCs by not only recovering refrigerants but also the chemicals contained in insulation foam from appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, and dehumidifiers, at the end of their life.
An estimated 11 – 13 million refrigerated household appliances reach their end-of-life annually. RAD partners worked with recyclers to leverage best environmental practices to collect and dispose of these older refrigerated appliances. Partners also reduced energy consumption, increased the recycling of durable goods, and ensured the proper handling of hazardous substances.
Accomplishments
Over the course of its lifetime, RAD partnered with over 80 utility companies, retailers, manufacturers, and state, local, and federal government agencies, among other stakeholders. As a result of their commitments, partners achieved significant environmental and health benefits between 2006–2025, processing over 9 million refrigerated appliances, avoiding ODS and HFC emissions equivalent to the energy needed to power 5 million homes annually, recycling 1.5 billion pounds of metals, plastics, and other durable materials, and safely disposing of over 543,000 internal appliance components containing hazardous substances such as mercury and contaminated oils.
Learn more about RAD Partner achievements by reading the most recent Accomplishments Report (pdf) .