How to Recycle Old Appliances in California: Rules & Free Pickup

California has some of the strictest appliance disposal laws in the country. You cannot simply put an old refrigerator, washer, or dishwasher on the curb for trash pickup. Refrigerants, oils, and hazardous materials in appliances must be handled by certified recyclers. The good news: multiple free programs exist that will pick up your old appliance and pay you for it.

What California Law Requires

California law prohibits disposing of appliances containing refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers) in landfills. The refrigerant must be recovered by a certified technician before the unit can be scrapped. Fines for illegal dumping start at $1,000.

Other large appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens) are not specifically regulated for hazardous materials but are too large for regular trash collection. Most California municipalities classify them as bulky items requiring special pickup or drop-off.

Free Pickup Programs

PG&E Appliance Recycling Program. PG&E will pick up your working or non-working refrigerator, freezer, or room air conditioner for free and pay you a $50 rebate. The appliance must be between 10 and 30 cubic feet, plugged in and accessible, and you must be a PG&E electric customer. Schedule at pge.com/recycling or call 1-800-743-5000.

SMUD Appliance Recycling. Sacramento-area SMUD customers can schedule free pickup of old refrigerators and freezers with a $50 rebate. The program accepts working units of any age. Visit smud.org or call 1-888-742-7683.

Retailer haul-away. When you buy a new appliance from major retailers (Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy), they will haul away your old appliance during delivery — often for free or $15-$25. This applies to all major appliances including washers, dryers, dishwashers, and ranges. Ask about haul-away when purchasing and confirm it includes proper recycling, not just disposal.

Local utility programs. Many California municipal utilities offer their own recycling programs. East Bay MUD, Silicon Valley Power, and Roseville Electric all have seasonal or ongoing appliance recycling programs. Check your local utility's website.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore. If your old appliance is in working condition, Habitat for Humanity ReStores will pick it up for free. The appliance is resold at a discount to fund affordable housing. You get a tax-deductible donation receipt. Check habitat.org/restores for locations.

Drop-Off Options

If you prefer to handle disposal yourself:

Municipal transfer stations. Most California counties operate transfer stations that accept large appliances. Fees range from free to $35 depending on the appliance type and location. Sacramento County charges $10 per appliance at their Kiefer Landfill and North Area Recovery Station. Alameda County residents can drop off at select transfer stations for free.

Scrap metal recyclers. Many scrap yards accept appliances and pay you for the metal content. A typical washer or dryer yields $5-$15 in scrap value. Refrigerators and freezers may require the recycler to have refrigerant recovery certification — confirm before hauling.

City bulky item pickup. Most California cities offer free bulky item pickup several times per year. Sacramento offers 2 free pickups annually to residents. San Francisco offers monthly unlimited large item pickup. San Jose provides scheduled curbside pickup. Check your city's waste management website for scheduling.

Appliance-Specific Disposal Rules

Refrigerators and freezers. Must have refrigerant professionally recovered before recycling. All free pickup programs handle this. If donating, the receiving organization must be certified for refrigerant handling. Never attempt to vent refrigerant yourself — it is a federal crime under the Clean Air Act, carrying fines up to $44,539 per violation.

Washers and dryers. No special hazardous material requirements. Can be recycled as scrap metal or donated if working. Remove all water from washers before transport.

Dishwashers. No special requirements. Disconnect water supply and drain before removal. Can be recycled as scrap metal.

Ovens and ranges. Gas ranges: have the gas line properly capped by a licensed plumber before removal. Electric ranges: disconnect from the 240V outlet (turn off the breaker first). Both types can be recycled as scrap metal.

Microwaves. Contain a high-voltage capacitor that retains a lethal charge even when unplugged. Do not disassemble. Accepted at e-waste recycling centers or through bulky item pickup.

Garbage disposals. Small enough for e-waste drop-off or can be placed in a metal recycling bin if your area accepts them. Remove from under the sink carefully — they are heavier than they look (10-15 pounds).

What NOT to Do

• Do not put appliances in regular trash or recycling bins. Your waste hauler will not pick them up, and you may receive a contamination fee.
• Do not leave appliances on the curb without scheduling a pickup. This is illegal dumping in most California cities, subject to fines of $250-$1,000.
• Do not remove refrigerant yourself. This requires EPA Section 608 certification and specialized equipment.
• Do not remove doors from discarded refrigerators or freezers and leave the unit accessible. California law requires door removal or securing to prevent child entrapment.
• Do not dump appliances in vacant lots, waterways, or rural areas. California enforces illegal dumping laws aggressively, with fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenders.

Getting the Most Value from Your Old Appliance

Before recycling, consider these options in order of potential value:

1. Sell it if it works. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor are active in California. A working washer or dryer typically sells for $50-$200. State the age, brand, and condition honestly.

2. Donate it if it works but selling is not worth the effort. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, and local charities accept working appliances. You get a tax deduction at fair market value.

3. Claim utility rebates for refrigerators and freezers through PG&E or SMUD — $50 each, with free pickup.

4. Scrap it for metal value if it does not work. $5-$25 depending on size and current scrap prices.

5. Schedule free city pickup as a last resort for non-working units with no scrap value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get a tax deduction for donating an old appliance? A: Yes, if you donate to a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit like Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The deduction is based on the fair market value of the appliance, not what you originally paid. For a working appliance in good condition, the IRS allows you to deduct the current resale value (check comparable listings on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace). Get a written receipt from the receiving organization.

Q: How do I prepare an old appliance for pickup? A: For all appliances: empty contents, clean the interior, and disconnect from power, water, and gas. For washers, run a spin cycle to remove residual water. For gas ranges, have the gas line capped. Make sure the appliance is accessible — most pickup services will not navigate stairs, tight hallways, or locked gates without advance notice.

Q: Does EasyBear haul away old appliances? A: Yes. When EasyBear installs a new appliance or determines that an existing appliance is not worth repairing, we can haul away the old unit as part of the service. We handle proper recycling and refrigerant recovery. Ask your technician about haul-away options during your service visit.