How to dispose of a fridge freezer

Why fridge freezers need specialist disposal

A fridge freezer cannot be treated like ordinary bulky rubbish. The cooling circuit contains refrigerant gas, and the insulation in the walls and door may contain gases too, particularly in older models. Released into the air, these gases can harm the environment. For that reason waste fridges and freezers are treated as hazardous waste electricals and must go to a facility equipped to deal with them.

At a specialist plant the gases and oils are removed and captured before the unit is broken up. The metals and plastics are then separated for recycling. None of that happens if the appliance is dumped or stripped for scrap by an unregistered collector. So the aim, whichever route you pick, is to hand it to someone who will send it for proper treatment.

How to prepare a fridge freezer for disposal

1. Empty it completely and use up or throw away the food.
2. Switch it off and unplug it well ahead of the collection so the freezer can defrost.
3. Put towels or a tray down to catch the meltwater, and mop up as it thaws.
4. Wipe the inside dry and remove loose shelves and drawers, or tape them in place.
5. Tape the doors shut for moving and keep the appliance upright.
6. Clear the route out of the house and measure any tight doorways.

Allow more time than you think for defrosting. A freezer with a thick build-up of ice can take many hours to thaw, and meltwater will keep appearing after the ice looks gone. Do not chip at the ice with a knife or screwdriver, because a punctured cooling circuit releases the gas that is meant to stay contained.

Fridge freezer disposal options

Retailer take-back is the first thing to check if you are buying a replacement. Many retailers will remove the old appliance when they deliver the new one, sometimes for a fee, and it usually has to be booked with the order. The old unit generally needs to be disconnected, emptied and defrosted before the delivery crew arrives. Ask the retailer exactly what they expect, because a crew may not take an appliance that is not ready.

Many councils collect fridges and freezers through a chargeable bulky waste service, though arrangements differ, so check your council's website. You can also take one to a household waste recycling centre, where fridges and freezers are normally kept apart from other waste. Transport is the obstacle. The appliance is heavy and should travel upright, and rules on vans and trailers vary by council.

A fridge freezer that still works may be wanted by a reuse charity, a community group or someone local. Charities that accept electrical goods usually test them and can be selective about age and condition, so call before assuming they will collect. Be honest about faults. Passing on an appliance that does not hold its temperature only moves the disposal problem to someone else.

What not to do with an old fridge freezer

• Do not cut pipes or try to release or remove the gas yourself.
• Never leave it on the street, in an alley or beside the bins.
• Avoid giving it to an unregistered collector who offers to take it for scrap.
• Check with the skip company before putting one in a skip, because many will not accept them.
• Keep it somewhere children cannot climb inside while it waits to be collected.

The scrap point deserves explaining. A collector interested only in the metal has no reason to pay for the gases to be removed safely, and the stripped shell may end up fly-tipped. If your waste is dumped by someone you paid or handed it to, you can be held responsible. Ask for the registration number and check the waste carrier licence on the public register, which the Environment Agency keeps for England.

Booking a licensed fridge freezer collection

A licensed collection suits you when the appliance is too heavy to move, there is no replacement being delivered or you need it gone soon. Our fridge freezer removal comes with same-day or next-day collection wherever possible. The team lifts it from the kitchen, garage or cellar, and it goes to a licensed facility. The price is confirmed before loading.

Kitchen refits and house moves often produce more than one item. Washing machines, cookers and dishwashers can go on the same visit as an appliance removal, and old screens as a TV disposal. Televisions and monitors are also waste electricals that should not go in general rubbish. Add furniture or other large items and the job becomes a bulky waste collection, priced by the total load size.

Fridges and freezers from businesses

Display fridges, chest freezers and other refrigeration from shops, cafes, restaurants and offices count as business waste. Household waste recycling centres are for residents, so business appliances generally cannot be taken there, and council bulky waste services are normally for households. A business must use a registered waste carrier and keep the paperwork for the transfer. Your carrier or the Environment Agency can confirm what records are needed for hazardous items such as refrigeration.