Fridge Recycling & Disposal
Responsibly recycle your old refrigerator to ensure the safe disposal of hazardous chemicals and keep bulky waste out of BC landfills. There is no fee associated with drop-off at any of our collection sites.
How to Dispose of Your Full-size Refrigerator
When your large appliance is beyond repair , following a few simple preparation steps ensures a safe and efficient fridge disposal process at any of our 200+ drop-off locations across BC.
Getting Your Fridge to a Collection Site
Whether you have a vehicle or need a helping hand, there are several convenient ways to manage your fridge disposal across British Columbia. Choose the transport method that best fits your needs:
- Drop off to a certified collection site: If you have a suitable vehicle, you can transport the fridge to any of the 200+ collection sites found on our website.
- Use Retailer Take-Back Programs: Many retailers will collect and recycle your old appliance when they deliver your new one.
- Check for Municipal Pickup: Many local governments offer curbside collection events where large appliances are eligible for pickup as part of seasonal waste programs or scheduled appointments.
- Hire a Junk Removal Company: Professional moving services can haul the fridge for you for a fee.
If you would like to transport the fridge yourself, visit our collection site locator to find the closest of our 200+ BC locations, to drop off the appliance for no fee.
Preparation Instructions for Refrigerator Recycling
- Remove All Contents: Clear out all food items, liquids, and personal belongings.
- Clean the Interior: Wipe down all surfaces so the fridge is sanitary for site attendants to handle.
- Leave Cooling Systems Intact: Do not cut cooling lines or attempt to drain refrigerants; our certified technicians will safely extract these gases.
- Secure During Transport: Tape the doors shut or use a cargo strap to prevent them from swinging open while moving the fridge.
- Find Your Nearest Site: Enter your postal code into the LargeApplianceRecycling.ca location finder to view the operating hours and addresses of BC recycling sites near you.
How Refrigerator Recycling Works in BC
LargeApplianceRecycling.ca, operated by the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR), is the only stewardship program for large appliances approved by BC’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Our plan ensures every fridge is processed according to strict environmental safety standards.
Once you drop off your fridge, it undergoes a comprehensive recycling process designed to protect our ecosystems and recover valuable materials:
- Hazardous Material Removal: Certified technicians carefully extract cooling gases and ozone-depleting substances to prevent their release into the atmosphere.
- Decommissioning Substances of Concern: We safely manage hazardous components, such as mercury switches and PCB capacitors, to prevent the contamination of soil and water.
- Material Recovery: The remaining metal and plastic are sent to specialized processing companies in BC to be shredded, separated, and sold back into the supply chain for new products.
- Landfill Diversion: This certified process recovers over 75% of a fridge's weight for reuse, significantly reducing bulky waste in local landfills.
By following this professional recycling process, we ensure your old fridge is responsibly recycled and hazardous waste out of our natural environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of refrigerators are accepted for recycling?
We accept a wide range of residential cooling appliances, including:
- Full-size refrigerators (built-in or free-standing models).
- Compact refrigerators (units 6.4 cubic feet or less, including wine coolers and beer kegs).
- Freezers (chest, upright, and under-counter models).
Do I need to remove the refrigerant gas before dropping it off?
No. Please leave the cooling system completely intact. Our certified technicians are trained to safely extract hazardous refrigerants and ozone-depleting substances. Attempting to drain these gases yourself is dangerous and can cause environmental harm.
Is there a limit to how many fridges I can recycle?
There is generally no limit on the number of residential units you can bring to a collection site. However, if you have a large volume of appliances (such as from a multi-unit building), we recommend calling the collection site ahead of time to ensure they have the capacity to receive them.
What if I cannot transport the fridge myself?
If you don't have a vehicle for fridge disposal, you can check if your municipality offers a large-item pickup program or hire a private junk removal company. Many retailers also offer a haul-away service where they take your old fridge away when they deliver a new one.
Are commercial refrigerators included in this program?
Our program is designed for residential-use appliances. Commercial-grade refrigerators used in industrial or institutional settings are not part of the MARR program and may be subject to different disposal fees at recycling facilities.