Fridge, freezer and cooker removal with proper recycling
Tell us what appliances need to go and we will introduce you to up to 3 independent local providers who send free quotes. No obligation to accept any of them.
- Free quotes, no obligation
- Up to 3 local providers
- Appliances handled responsibly
Why white goods need proper disposal
White goods is the everyday term for large household appliances such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and cookers. When one of these reaches the end of its life, it cannot simply go in the household bin or be left out on the pavement. They are heavy, awkward and made of materials that should be recovered rather than buried, which is why they fall under the rules for waste electrical and electronic equipment, usually shortened to WEEE.
Most of a typical appliance is metal, and that metal has real value when it is recycled. Steel, copper and aluminium can be separated and used again, while plastics, glass and wiring are sorted into their own streams. Disposing of an appliance properly keeps those materials in use and avoids the pollution that comes from dumping. It also keeps your own home safe, because an old appliance left in a garden or garage can be a hazard, particularly for children.
People usually look for this service at a handful of familiar moments. You may have bought a replacement and want the old machine gone, be refurbishing a kitchen or utility room, or be clearing a property after a move or bereavement. Sometimes an appliance has simply broken and been sitting in the way for months. In every case, an independent local provider can collect it, and you can compare free quotes before you decide.
Why fridges and freezers are treated differently
Fridges and freezers are the appliances that most need specialist handling. The cooling system contains refrigerant gases, and the compressor holds oils, both of which must be removed carefully by an authorised recycler before the appliance is broken down. Some older refrigerant gases harm the environment if they escape, and the insulation foam in the casing can also hold substances that need controlled treatment. This is not a job to attempt by cutting the unit open yourself.
In practical terms, this means the person collecting your fridge or freezer should be taking it to a facility that is permitted to deal with these units. A reputable provider will be happy to tell you where it is going and will not mind you asking. Be wary of anyone who offers to take a fridge away very cheaply and cannot explain what happens next, as that is a common sign of fly-tipping or unsafe breaking up.
It is also worth keeping the unit upright and intact until it is collected. Laying it on its side, dismantling the back or removing the compressor can allow oil to leak and can damage the sealed system. If your appliance has already been damaged or has a cracked casing, mention that when you request quotes, so the provider can plan for it and give you an accurate figure. If you have several units, say so up front.
Old appliances often go hand in hand with other disposal. Our guides to scrap metal collection and e-waste & it disposal cover metal and electrical waste, and store delivery pickup covers collecting your replacement appliance.
Getting appliances ready for collection
Preparation makes collection quicker and cleaner. Fridges and freezers should be emptied completely, with the food either used up, moved or thrown away. Switch the unit off at the wall well ahead of the collection date and leave the doors ajar so it can defrost. Frost and meltwater will run out, so lay down towels or a shallow tray and wipe the inside dry. A freezer that is still frozen solid is heavy, leaks in the van and can be refused.
Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers need to be disconnected from the water supply and drained. Turn off the isolation valves, release any water left in the hoses and drum, and tie up the cables and pipes so they cannot swing about. Empty detergent drawers and filters, and take out any clothes or crockery. If you are not confident doing any of this, ask a plumber or a qualified person to disconnect it for you.
Cookers need particular care. An electric cooker should be isolated and disconnected by a qualified electrician, and any fixed wiring left behind should be made safe. A gas cooker must only be disconnected and capped by a Gas Safe registered engineer, never by the householder or the person collecting it. Do not move a gas appliance that is still connected, and if you smell gas, follow the national gas emergency guidance straight away.
Take-back, council collections and private providers
There is more than one sensible route for an old appliance, and the best one depends on the item and your timing. If you are buying a new appliance from a retailer, it is worth asking whether they offer to take the old one away when they deliver. Policies differ between shops and between delivery options, so check the details at the point of purchase rather than assuming it is included.
Many councils run a bulky waste collection for large household items, often by appointment and sometimes for a fee, while local recycling centres accept appliances if you can transport them yourself. Booking windows and rules vary by area, so look at your council website for the current arrangements. A council collection is a good option if you are not in a hurry and the appliance can be left somewhere easy to reach.
A private clearance team or driver is usually the quickest choice, especially if you have several items, tight timings or no way of moving a heavy machine. Through Move & Clear you submit one short form and are introduced to up to 3 independent local providers who send free quotes. You then compare them and choose, or decide not to proceed. Move & Clear does not carry out the work or set prices itself.
Access, stairs, built-in units and reuse
Appliances are heavy and awkward, so access matters a great deal. Tell providers about the floor the appliance is on, whether there is a lift, how many stairs and how tight the corners and doorways are. A washing machine in a first floor flat is a very different job from one in a ground floor utility room. Mention parking too, because a van that cannot stop close to the door will need more time and sometimes more people.
Built-in appliances need extra thought. Integrated dishwashers, fridges and ovens are often fixed to kitchen units with screws and brackets, and they may be wired in or plumbed in. The unit should be disconnected first by a qualified person, and you should say whether you want the provider to unscrew and slide it out or whether it is already free-standing. Do not assume the provider will do fitting work, and confirm it beforehand.
If an appliance still works, consider giving it a second life. Local charities, community furniture and appliance projects, and neighbours or friends through reuse groups may be glad of a clean, safe machine, though they will have their own rules about electrical testing. Be honest about its condition and age. If it is not suitable for reuse, a provider can take it for recycling instead, and you are free to ask what they will do with it.
Checking quotes, and what landlords and tenants should know
When quotes arrive, compare more than the headline figure. Check that each one lists the appliances you described, says whether the work includes carrying from upstairs or from inside the property, and states whether any extra charges could apply. Prices vary with the number and size of items, access and how far the provider has to travel, so two quotes that look different may not be covering the same job.
Anyone who removes waste for a fee should be a registered waste carrier. In England the register is run by the Environment Agency, with SEPA in Scotland, Natural Resources Wales in Wales and the NIEA in Northern Ireland. Ask for the licence number and check it on the public register. You also have a duty of care for your waste, so ask for a waste transfer note or receipt, and ask for proof of insurance.
Tenants should check their tenancy agreement and speak to the landlord before getting rid of an appliance that was supplied with the property, since it may belong to them. Landlords clearing a rental between tenancies can group several appliances into one visit, which often makes the job easier to arrange. In either case, keep photos and your paperwork, and avoid paying a stranger who turns up unannounced and offers to take things away.
Providers cover different postcode areas, so browse the areas we cover to see local information, or enter your full postcode in the quote form at the top of this page.
What affects the cost of white goods recycling
Prices are set by each local provider, so we do not publish fixed figures. These are the things that move a quote up or down. Compare up to 3 free quotes to see a fair price for your job.
- The number of appliances and whether they are small or large.
- Fridges and freezers, which need specialist recycling at an authorised site.
- Stairs, lifts, narrow doorways and how far the item must be carried.
- Whether the appliance is built in and needs to be slid out of units.
- Parking and how close the van can get to your front door.
- How soon you need it collected, including evenings and weekends.
Our transparency promise: quotes are free and come direct from the providers. We don't add fees to your price, and you're never obliged to accept.
FAQs: white goods recycling
Can I put an old fridge or freezer out with my rubbish?
No. Fridges and freezers contain refrigerant gases and oils that must be removed by an authorised recycler, so they cannot go in household bins or be left outside. Use a retailer take-back, your council bulky waste service, a recycling centre or a registered waste carrier who can tell you where the unit will be taken.
Do shops take my old appliance when I buy a new one?
Some retailers offer to take the old appliance when they deliver a new one, but arrangements differ between shops and delivery options. It is worth asking at the point of purchase what is included, whether there is a charge, and whether the old appliance must be disconnected and ready before the delivery team arrives.
Who can disconnect a gas cooker?
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer should disconnect and cap a gas cooker. Do not try to do it yourself, and do not ask a clearance provider to do it unless they can show they are Gas Safe registered. Electric cookers and plumbed appliances should be disconnected by a suitably qualified electrician or plumber.
Do I need to empty and defrost my freezer first?
Yes. Take out all the food, switch the unit off well before collection and leave the doors open so it can defrost fully. Place towels or a tray underneath to catch the water, and wipe the inside dry. A unit that is still frozen or full of food is heavier, messier and may be refused by the provider.
What happens if my appliance still works?
If it is clean, safe and in good condition, consider reuse. Local charities, community projects or friends may take it, although they have their own rules on checking electrical items. If it is not suitable, a provider can take it for recycling instead. Just tell them its condition when you request quotes.
How do I know a provider is legitimate?
Ask for their waste carrier licence number and check it on the public register for your part of the UK. Ask for proof of insurance and a waste transfer note or receipt after the job. Be cautious of anyone who cannot answer simple questions about where your appliances will be taken.
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Find white goods recycling in your area
Providers cover different postcode areas. Pick your nearest area to see local information, or use the form at the top of this page and enter your full postcode.