How to Dispose of a Broken Refrigerator or Freezer

A dead refrigerator or freezer is one of the most inconvenient things to get rid of. These appliances are massive, absurdly heavy (150 to 350 pounds), and contain regulated substances that make simple disposal impossible. You cannot just roll it to the curb with your weekly trash and call it done.

The refrigerant gas inside your fridge or freezer is the key complication. Under federal law (EPA Section 608), refrigerants must be recovered by a certified technician before the unit can be scrapped, recycled, or landfilled. This means every disposal path involves at least one professional step.

Here are your options in Oregon, from easiest to most effort.

Option 1: Professional Junk Removal

The most straightforward way to get rid of a broken refrigerator is to call a professional junk removal service. A crew comes to your home, disconnects the unit (if needed), carries it out, loads it onto their truck, and delivers it to an appliance recycler who handles Freon recovery.

What to Expect

• Cost: $100 to $175 for a standard refrigerator or freezer
• Timeline: Same-day or next-day service in most Oregon markets
• What they handle: Disconnection, moving from wherever it sits (garage, kitchen, basement), loading, transport, and proper disposal
• Freon: Reputable companies work with certified appliance recyclers who recover refrigerant before processing the unit

This is the best option when the fridge is in an awkward spot like a basement, when you physically cannot move a 300-pound appliance, or when you are clearing out an entire kitchen as part of a remodel.

Option 2: Utility Company Rebate Programs

Several Oregon utility companies run appliance recycling programs where they actually pay you to let them pick up your old refrigerator or freezer. These programs exist because old appliances are energy hogs, and utilities save money by getting them permanently off the grid.

Oregon Utility Programs

• Portland General Electric (PGE) — Offers refrigerator and freezer recycling for PGE customers. They pick up the appliance from your home and may offer a rebate. Check the PGE website for current program details and eligibility.
• Pacific Power — Serves parts of southern and eastern Oregon. Has historically offered appliance recycling programs with rebates.
• Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) — Serves Eugene customers. Check their website for current appliance recycling incentives.
• Salem Electric — Serves Salem area. May offer appliance recycling programs for customers.

Program Requirements (Typical)

• Must be a customer of the utility
• Refrigerator or freezer must be in working condition (plugged in and running) for some programs
• Must be a standard residential size (10 to 30 cubic feet typically)
• Limited to one or two units per household per year

Important: Many utility rebate programs require the appliance to be working. If your fridge is completely dead, this option may not be available. Check with your specific utility.

Option 3: Scrap Metal Recyclers

Refrigerators are made primarily of steel, which has scrap value. Some scrap metal recyclers in Oregon will pick up old refrigerators for free or at minimal cost because the metal is worth money. A few may even pay you a small amount ($10 to $30) depending on current scrap prices.

What to Look For

• The scrap yard must be EPA-certified for refrigerant recovery. Ask before scheduling.
• Some scrap yards only accept appliances that have already had Freon removed. Confirm their policy.
• Scrap prices fluctuate. When steel prices are high, recyclers are more willing to pick up for free.

Scrap Yards Along the I-5 Corridor

Major scrap metal recyclers operate in Portland, Salem, and Eugene. Search for "scrap metal recycler" in your area and call to ask about refrigerator pickup or drop-off policies.

Option 4: Transfer Station Drop-Off

If you have a truck or trailer, you can haul the refrigerator to a transfer station yourself. Most Oregon transfer stations accept appliances, though fees and Freon policies vary:

• Metro transfer stations (Portland area) — Accept refrigerators and freezers. Freon recovery is handled on-site or through contracted processors. Standard tipping fees apply based on weight.
• Marion County (Salem area) — Transfer stations accept appliances. Call ahead to confirm Freon handling.
• Lane County (Eugene area) — Glenwood transfer station and other Lane County facilities accept appliances.

Self-hauling a refrigerator is no small feat. These appliances weigh 150 to 350 pounds, need to be secured upright during transport (laying a fridge on its side can damage it and make it harder to handle), and require a strong truck or trailer. For most people, the savings over professional removal ($50 to $75) are not worth the effort and risk.

Option 5: Retailer Haul-Away

If you are buying a new refrigerator, most retailers offer haul-away of your old unit at the time of delivery:

• Home Depot — Offers haul-away for $25 to $50 with delivery of a new appliance
• Lowe's — Similar haul-away service with new appliance purchase
• Costco — Includes haul-away with appliance delivery in most markets
• Local appliance dealers — Many Oregon appliance stores include haul-away as part of their delivery service

This is the most convenient option if you are replacing the unit. The delivery crew brings in the new fridge and takes the old one in the same trip.

Freon and Refrigerant Rules

Understanding the refrigerant issue is important because it affects every disposal option:

What Is in Your Refrigerator

All refrigerators and freezers contain a refrigerant gas that circulates through the cooling system. Older units (pre-1995) typically contain CFC refrigerants like R-12 (Freon), which deplete the ozone layer. Newer units use HFC refrigerants like R-134a or R-600a, which do not harm the ozone but are potent greenhouse gases.

Federal EPA Requirements

• Under EPA Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, refrigerants must be recovered by a certified technician before any appliance is disposed of, scrapped, or recycled
• Knowingly venting refrigerant is illegal and carries fines up to $44,539 per day per violation
• The person who disposes of the appliance is responsible for ensuring proper refrigerant recovery

What This Means for You

You do not need to remove the refrigerant yourself. In fact, you should not. Leave the refrigerant lines intact and let the disposal company, scrap yard, or transfer station handle recovery through their certified technicians. Your responsibility is to make sure whoever takes the fridge is equipped to handle the refrigerant properly.

Oregon-Specific Disposal Information

• Oregon DEQ oversight: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regulates appliance disposal as part of solid waste management. Facilities that accept refrigerators must comply with DEQ and federal EPA requirements for refrigerant recovery.
• Illegal dumping penalties: Dumping a refrigerator in Oregon carries fines under ORS 164.785. The environmental impact of an improperly dumped refrigerator is significant due to refrigerant release and potential soil contamination from oils and coolants.
• Child safety: Oregon law, like federal standards, addresses the danger of abandoned refrigerators to children. If you are storing an unused refrigerator before disposal, remove the doors or secure them so a child cannot become trapped inside.

Cost Comparison: Refrigerator Disposal in Oregon