How to dispose of or recycle a fridge freezer

Fridge freezers can be a hassle to dispose of, but it's important to do so in a responsible and environmentally friendly way. 

When your appliance finally gives up the ghost, there are various ways of shifting it. We run you through your options – and choosing the best replacement. 

Need to buy a new fridge freezer? Head to our round up of the best fridge freezers to help you decide which one to buy.

Can you recycle a fridge freezer?

Yes, you can. Under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations (WEEE), every item that has either a plug, a charger, batteries or carries a crossed-out wheelie bin logo can be recycled, and that includes large appliances such as fridge freezers.

But getting rid of an old fridge freezer requires a lot more effort than, say, a kettle. This is partly on account of their size, and partly because the insulation and refrigerant inside are classed as hazardous waste. A fridge freezer can leak harmful gases if it's not disposed of correctly.

Fridge freezers also contain valuable materials such as aluminium, copper, plastics and steel, which can all be recycled.

However, recycling does come at a price. Read on to find out more about your options for fridge freezer recycling, including costs.

Find out more about recycling electrical items.

How to get rid of a fridge freezer

In August 2023, we surveyed 6,954 fridge freezer owners to find out how they disposed of their last model. 

The most popular option (33%), and the least hassle, was to have it collected by the company delivering your new appliance. 

Other ways include using the council's bulky waste collection, giving it away to family, friends or to charity, selling it, or taking it to a recycling centre. 

Around 3% of people said they still had their old fridge freezer. 

Pay for a company’s collect and recycle service

Some high-street retailers offer an old appliance pick-up and recycling scheme, so it makes sense to book one of these if you're buying a new appliance.  A third of our members had their old fridge freezer collected by the company delivering their new one. 

Most retailers only offer the service when you are replacing your fridge freezer with a new one. Usually this can't be at a later date: the delivery and removal must happen together. 

Some, such as AO.com, offer it even when you're not buying from them.

You'll almost always need to defrost your appliance and clear out any food beforehand. Companies usually aren't allowed to accept any food left in them, even if you would like to give it to them. 

• AO.com offers two different services. Use Collect & Recycle (from £30) if you aren't buying a new appliance, or Remove & Recycle (from £25) if you are. Whichever you choose, your appliance will end up at its dedicated recycling facility. The company says its recycling machine, Bertha, helps recycle 700,000 fridges every year, which is around 20% of the UK total.
• Argos will take away your old appliance if you're having a new one delivered. Price start from around £20. It can't accept American fridge freezers. 
• Currys will also take away your old appliance if you are buying a new one. Prices start from £15. Currys will remove washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, cold appliances, cookers and ovens, gas hobs, electric hobs and hoods, and TVs over 42 inches. Items must be disconnected beforehand. 

Use your council's bulky waste collection service

Most local councils will offer some sort of collection and disposal service for bulky waste.  Many local authorities say they will recycle some or all the waste where possible.

Read the terms and conditions carefully. Sometimes items will only be collected if they’re left in a designated spot outside the house. You should avoid doing this any earlier than you need to, in case you block the pavement for someone with mobility issues trying to pass by. 

Some councils, such as Liverpool City Council, offer free bulky waste collection, but they’re very much in the minority. Prices differ from council to council, too, even within the same area. For example, Sevenoaks council charges £18 to remove white goods, and expects you to place it outside your property by 7am. Dartford council charges £35 and asks you to get it ready outside by 6am. 

Richmond council charges £63 for unlimited collections per year (one item only per collection). That goes down to £22.20 if you're over 60; and they don't charge at all if you're on a low income. This doesn't include American fridge freezers due to their size and weight. 

If you live in England or Wales, you can find out how much your council will charge for bulky waste disposal by typing your postcode into the gov.uk website. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, go to your council’s website and search for bulky waste disposal.

Take it to a council reuse and recycling centre

Most – but not all – local tips will take an old fridge freezer, so check before you head off.

To get your fridge freezer there, you’ll need a vehicle big enough to fit it in, which may add an extra cost, unless you happen to know someone friendly with a van. And you need to be careful of the refrigerant contained within the appliance when transporting it.

Paying for a private fridge freezer removal service

This is an option if the others don't work for you. Do your research, though, and check their credentials. Fridge freezers can only be disposed of through approved contractors. If the company you have hired fly-tips your fridge freezer, you could end up facing a fine. 

Need a new fridge freezer now? Take a look at our fridge freezer reviews to find one that won't let you down.

Can a working fridge freezer be reused?

Absolutely. If your fridge freezer is still working but you need to replace it because you’re moving house or need a bigger capacity for a growing household, don’t just dispose of it. 

There are other options that are more environmentally friendly – and may even be a help to someone who needs it. 

Donate your fridge freezer

According to our survey, 14% of members gave their old appliance to a friend, family or charity. 

• Give it to a charity Some charities such as the British Heart Foundation will collect working appliances for free. Emmaus offers house clearances in some parts of the UK, which include fridge freezers, although this entails a fee. 

• List it on a free sharing site such as Freegle, Freecycle, the free listings pages of Gumtree or even your local Facebook version of Freecycle. This option may mean someone needs to enter your home to remove the appliance, unless you are able to leave it outside for them to collect.

Sell your fridge freezer

As many as 13% of our members sold their old fridge freezer. If yours is still in usable condition, you could make some extra cash by selling it. 

There's an active eBay fridge freezer auction market. Take a look ahead of selling your appliance to get an idea of what sells and how much for. 

Be clear about any faults or imperfections, and also whether buyers need to arrange their own collection.

Facebook Marketplace can be a good option for selling second-hand goods, and you may benefit from finding a local buyer.

If you're thinking of selling or buying second-hand, make sure you understand your consumer rights regarding second-hand goods. 

Tips on selling or donating safely

• Check how old your appliance is before you sell or donate it. If it's 30 years old, it's probably not worth passing on, as new appliances are likely to be made from more energy-efficient materials.
• Check to see if the back of your appliance is made from old-style plastic backing, or newer metal backing. If it's made of flammable plastic backing, you shouldn't pass it on. Head to our fridge freezer safety page to find out more about this. 
• Supply the original instructions if you can. They will provide a wealth of useful information for the new owner and contain vital safety information on using the appliance correctly. If you've lost them, you may be able to find a copy online.

If your fridge freezer is faulty, it might be worth repairing. See our guide to common fridge freezer faults to see what's possible.

How can I disconnect my fridge freezer to move it?

Depending on the type of fridge freezer you’re getting rid of, there are some things you should bear in mind:

• American-style fridge freezers are normally much bigger and heavier than integrated or freestanding models. Some can be more than two metres tall and a metre wide, so you may need help to move them. If there's a water dispenser or ice maker plumbed in, don't forget to disconnect and drain these first. 

• Integrated fridge freezers or built-in freezers will need disconnecting and removing from your units. This job can be managed by a competent DIYer, but it's worth checking how the cupboard doors fit onto your appliance. Some are straightforward enough to separate, but others can be tricky. If your built-in appliance is old, check the dimensions and make sure any new appliance will fit into the gap. It might also be worth getting someone in to take out the old appliance and fit the new one at the same time.

• Freestanding fridge freezers are similar to American-style fridge freezers, in that appliances with ice or water dispensers will need to be properly disconnected from the water supply and drained. Generally, a standard freestanding fridge freezer is smaller than the American style, so it may be possible to do this on your own.

To find out which brands stay fault-free for longer, head to our guide on which fridge freezer brand is the most reliable.