Buying a New Fridge? There Are Ways of Disposing of Your Old Fridge Safely

When it is time to get rid of your old refrigerator it is not such an easy task. Besides for the fact that the average fridge weighs about 250 pounds and is an awkward shape, it also contains a lot of chemicals and metals that are toxic. So it is not something that you can just dump into the landfill as some of these chemicals are really bad for the environment.

Fridge disposal must be sustainable, whereby the components are recycled or if possible, reused. Whether the fridge is broken and no longer usable, or if it is still in a workable condition it is important to get rid of it responsibly.

Why Are Old Fridges/Freezers Considered Dangerous to the Environment?

Old appliances of any kind should never land up in a landfill so resist the temptation to take care of your fridge disposal in the nearest landfill. Here are some of the reasons why it is so important that you dispose of them responsibly when you decide to replace the old one with a new more energy efficient one.

• Old fridges, and in fact any coolant-containing appliances such as old freezers and air conditioning units contain freon gas which poses a threat to the ozone layer. They also contain potent greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change if they are released into the atmosphere. 
• It is estimated that in the USA alone there are approximately 200 million household fridges/freezers, and tens of millions more of air conditioning units. Some of these are the older models that are less efficient and are the ones more likely to be replaced by newer, more energy efficient models which are kinder to the environment and do not contain ozone depleting substances.
• These hazardous chemicals can leach into the soil and eventually into the water supply, poisoning it. These toxic greenhouse gases deplete the ozone layer and affect climate change which is something that the government is trying to control.
• There are other common chemicals found in appliances such as flame retardants as well as heavy metals including mercury, lead, chromium, and cadmium. 

How Do You Take Care of Fridge Disposal?

When taking into consideration the high number of these appliances that are disposed of each year, it becomes apparent that the proper removal and disposal of these is very important in terms of protecting our environment, especially if we want to bring climate change under control.

1. Donate Your Fridge

   There are many non-profits that will happily accept a fridge that is still in good condition. Consider a local charitable organization or a homeless shelter who may experience problems with food storage. With Covid-19 though, some of these organisations no longer offer a pick-up service, so check with them first. Otherwise you may have to organize the drop off yourself. Little Green Junk could help you with the logistics of fridge disposal or any other appliances that need delivering at a non-profit or charitable organization.

2. Sell Your Old Fridge

   If your fridge is in good condition selling it online through Facebook Market Place or any other online app is worth considering. You may just be changing the color of your appliances when redecorating your kitchen, so it is still in perfect condition. Your unwanted fridge could easily be someone else’s treasure! And most buyers will pick items up from your home, so the transport is not your worry.

3. Recycle It

   If your fridge doesn’t work any longer recycle it as the components are reusable. Scrap metal recyclers will accept old appliances. This is the responsible way to do fridge disposal
   Check with the company that manufactured your fridge to see if they offer recycling take-back programs for their old products. If they don’t, check with the company who is supplying your new appliances as they may remove the old ones for recycling. 

There are certain guidelines to follow when you wish to get rid of your fridge or freezer whether it is going to be disposed of or whether it is to be recycled.

• Unplug the fridge for at least 24 hours to allow any ice to melt in the freezer section, and to allow the motor and compressor to cool down.
• Disconnect any water pipes, turn off the water supply to the fridge, and drain the pipes into a bucket.
• Remove the interior baskets and shelves and throw out any old food. If you are selling the fridge or donating it, give it a good clean. Tape the doors shut if it is going to be transported so that they don’t fly open and get damaged.
• The freon gas has to be removed before it can be recycled, so find a suitably qualified technician that is able to do this for you.
• If you need help in moving your fridge, please give us a call at Little Green Junk. We will do all the lifting, haul the fridge away, and take it for recycling. We are the professional waste removal company who care about our environment.

Little Green Junk Company

Little Green Junk is a licensed, professional company that will take care of your fridge disposal.

Our pledge is to recycle any items that we can, and we only use the landfill as the last resort. We follow the restrictions that are in place to what can be disposed of in the local landfill. 

At Little Green Junk Company York, PA we take great pride in putting our customers’ needs first and we treat them in a courteous and respectful way. When we arrive on site and have seen the extent of the cleanout, any changes we make to the quote will be discussed and agreed with you before we start. We will arrive promptly at the scheduled time and if we are running late, we will communicate with you. Once we have completed the job, we will leave that area of the property clean and tidy. 

Please call us today on 717 467 0070 when you need a quote for your trash removal. 

Email: inquiries@littlegreenjunk.com

Website: https://www.littlegreenjunk.com/