The Environmental Protection Agency has reported roughly 9 million refrigerators and freezers being thrown away each year in the United States alone. Refrigerator disposal can be a hassle and a waste when professional disposal and recycling services are available specifically for refrigerators.
Here’s what you need to know about getting rid of your old refrigerator.
What Options Are There for Refrigerator Disposal?
You have a few options when it comes to removing your old refrigerator from your home. Here’s what you can do:
- Trade it in when buying a new refrigerator from a dealer
- Sell it if it is still in good condition
- Donate it to a non-profit group or community thrift store
- Have it scrapped by contacting a scrap-metal dealer
- Hire a rubbish removal company to remove it from your home
Hiring a rubbish removal company is by far the easiest option for getting rid of your refrigerator. You can hire a company such as https://www.dirtcheaprubbishremoval.com.au/old-fridges-freezers/ to take care of the disposal, giving you more free time to find a new fridge.
Should I Recycle My Refrigerator?
You refrigerator contains oils, chemicals, and other electrical parts that are harmful to the environment when not disposed of using proper methods. When disposed of in a landfill, refrigerators can leak chemicals into the soil. This can cause irreversible damage to the environment.
Harmful substances found in fridges include Ozone Depleting Substances. These can be Chlorofluorocarbons and Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons. These CFC molecules get broken down by UV radiations and release chlorine atoms which are harmful to the atmosphere.
Besides these environmental concerns, refrigerators also have metal and plastic parts which will not biodegrade. Instead, these pieces take up large space in landfills without ever breaking down adding to the harm improperly disposed refrigerators cause on the planet.
Recycling programs will be able to properly dispose of or recycle your refrigerator. It is good to note, however, that the 25% of recycled refrigerators refurbished actually use an excessive and inefficient amount of electricity. This makes reuse of old refrigerators less attractive than having a rubbish removal company properly dispose of the old appliance.
What Should You Do When Preparing Your Old Refrigerator for Disposal?
After deciding on a disposal options for your old refrigerator, it’s time to get it ready to be disposed of. To do this you’ll need to start by unplugging the fridge. Do this a few hours before disposal to allow the evaporator to defrost.
You should also remove any remaining food and perishable goods from inside the refrigerator. After removing any remaining food you’ll need to tape down loose items. These loose items include any shelves or compartments within the fridge.
Deciding What to Do With Your Refrigerator
If you’re considering holding onto an old refrigerator for a bit longer you could be making a huge mistake. By replacing an old refrigerator with a newer, more energy-efficient model, you can save up to $50 each year in energy costs. Plus, you won’t need to worry about it breaking on you suddenly.
Refrigerator disposal doesn’t have to be a hassle when you hire a professional team to take care of it for you.
To learn more about home repair and care, check out our latest articles.
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