Energy efficient appliances are a way for a household to save on energy and, thus, save money on utility bills every month. When our appliance repair service recommends buying new appliances, the best thing to do with the old ones is to recycle them. The materials that can be taken from these (metal) can be used to make new products and can also make you a little extra money.
You can pay a service to pick up the old appliances and deliver them to the recycling center or transport the old appliance yourself to a recycling center in Houston.
Why You Should Recycle Your Old Large Appliances
There are a number of reasons to recycle your large appliances and why buying new ones is extremely beneficial. One of the benefits may come from your local utility company because many of them will give a credit for their customers to buy new energy efficient appliances (on top of the money new appliances will save you on your bill).
Also, 75% of the materials used to build appliances are steel. Steel is the most recycled material throughout the United States. The appliances that people recycle make up 10% of the steel recycled in the country.
Lastly, there are some hazardous materials contained within some of the old appliances. Appliances that cool air, like refrigerators and air conditioners, use fluorocarbons to chill the air. Also known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), these materials are the leading contributors to ozone pollution and depletion.
How To Prepare Appliances For Recycling
You should unplug the appliance for a few days before recycling so that it can defrost or cool down. After cooling/defrosting, make sure that you tape and secure all the doors and drawers so that they do not fly open during transport.
If you have to move the appliance by yourself (to the curb or into a truck), make sure that you use proper safety precautions. Use a dolly to move it prior to recycling.
There are many delivery companies that will take away your old appliances. If you are having an appliance delivered to your home, inquire if the delivery company will take away the old one for you. They may even take away multiple appliances for you, even if you are only having one delivered.
If you are replacing an appliance that utilizes Freon, you will need to make sure that the recycling company you are using will dispose of this substance. If they don’t, you will need to find a contractor that will.
Lastly, if you are replacing an appliance that is 5 years old or newer, you may want to see if there is a local charity that will accept it. For example, there are stores that sell used goods in order to raise funds for veterans and other people in need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process in which large appliances are recycled?
First, the hazardous materials, like mercury switches and Freon, are removed. Then, the appliances are broken down into pieces so that magnets can come through and separate the steel from materials like aluminum. Then the other materials, like glass and plastic, are recycled and sold for use in other products.
What is Freon and why does it need to be removed before recycling?
Freon refers to the fluorocarbons used to cool air. It is used in appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators as a refrigerant. It was banned, and the Montreal Protocol required that appliances built after 2003 employ different means of cooling air.
There are still appliances in use today that have this substance in them and it needs to be removed and disposed of in a particular way. It is illegal for you to do it yourself and it needs to be removed from appliances before they are recycled.
What does the term “white good” mean?
It is a term used in reference to appliances. It refers to the white-coated steel that many appliances are made of.
Can I put my appliances out for curbside recycling?
You will likely need to schedule pick up for a large appliance. When you call to arrange this pickup and you let them know what kind of appliance it is, they will also inform you on how to prepare the appliance for pick up.
Is there any money to be made from recycling large appliances?
It really all depends on the type of appliance that is being recycled. If it one that contains Freon, it may cost some money to have the Freon removed and recycled. If it one that doesn’t have Freon, you could make money if you are able to transport it to the recycler yourself.
What appliances are the most valuable to recycle?
The ones that can bring in the most profit for you are those that are made of mostly metal and that don’t contain any Freon or other hazardous materials. Washers and dryers are usually the most valuable to recycle. They are heavy (which can make them difficult to transport) and most of their construction is metal.
Will my local utility company recycle my old appliances for me?
Some local utility departments are part of the Responsible Appliance Disposal program, but it all depends on the company. Many of them will offer credit and other incentives for their customers to replace their old appliances with energy efficient ones.
