Ever looked at a large appliance and wondered how to dispose of it? You're not alone in your predicament. Disposing of big appliances once they reach the end of their useful lives can be problematic because of the size of these appliances. They can include washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioning units, etc. These equipment are also termed as white goods and as per EPA guidelines it is illegal to dump them in landfills as they can be a serious threat to the environment. So the big question is how to dispose of big appliances.
In this blog, you will get an in-depth view of the different options you can use to get rid of your large appliances that no longer work.
How To Dispose Big Appliances Responsibly
Used big appliances like refrigerators and televisions may have stopped serving their purpose but they still contain a host of useful materials that can be recovered and put to good use again in different industries. Therefore, whenever you think about how to dispose of big appliances, consider recycling them.
Following are some sustainable options including recycling that can put you on the right path for when you want to dispose of big appliances.
Reach Out To A Local Recycling Center
Recycling your large appliances is a great way to contribute to a cleaner environment and also gain some monetary advantages simultaneously. Ez on the Earth is a certified e-waste recycling facility with the cutting-edge capability to recycle old appliances like televisions, air conditioners, and washing machines among others. The most commonly recycled big appliances at Ez on the Earth are
- Refrigerators
- Ovens
- Freezers
- Water Heaters
- Washing machines
- Dryers
- Dishwashers
- Range and range hoods
- Ovens
Participate in Community Collection Events
Since it is illegal to dispose of big appliances in regular trash, many companies and communities take the initiative to arrange collection events where residents can leave the old large appliances they want to get rid of.
These events provide the perk of accessibility that you can make use of and it saves you the cost of transporting your old appliances to far-off recycling centers.
Donate to Charity Organizations
Lastly, you can consider donating your big appliances if they are still functional. Many times your old appliances may be working fine but you want to go for an upgrade, in this case, it is best to donate them to an organization that can make the most out of your appliance.
Preparing Your Big Appliances For Recycling
Now that you have an idea about how to dispose of big appliances, it is important to understand the procedure through which you can prepare your appliances for recycling.
If we talk about recycling refrigerators and freezers for example, it is essential to make sure that they are properly emptied out with nothing remaining in any of the compartments. This is important because items left inside appliances that are sent off for recycling can be a cause of serious accidents.
Since appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, and freezers contain chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs as they are more commonly known therefore they cannot be sent directly to the recyclers. It is important to make arrangements to empty these compounds from the appliances before you send them for recycling because the release of these ozone-damaging compounds into the air is deemed illegal.
To drain your big appliances of these compounds you can reach out to an HVAC service provider and ask for documentation after you have availed their services. This is to prove that the units are drained of CFCs so that the recycler can go ahead with the recycling procedures without the risk of incurring environmental compliance penalties.
Why You Should Consider Recycling Your Large Appliances
Although large appliances are built to last for a long time because it is not easy to replace them every other day, the truth is they will eventually be worn out and lose their functionality. Following are a few reasons why you should pay attention to recycling big appliances.
Decreases Air Pollution
Disposing of big appliances through the landfill route can expose the environment to CFCs which damage the ozone layer and exacerbate climate change. Additionally, when big appliances are disposed of in landfills many hazardous chemicals can leach out and cause irreversible contamination of the soil and groundwater.
Less Space Occupied By Landfills
When fewer large appliances are dumped in landfills it would serve to reduce the number of landfills required for waste dumping.
Promotes The Reuse of Resources
Recycling of big appliances makes it possible to extract useful metals and other materials that can be reused. This makes the production of new products possible by using recovered materials and brings down the cost of new appliances. Besides this, it also decreases the need to mine these raw materials from their ores sparing the environment from a considerable amount of air pollution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that disposing of big appliances can be a hassle because these appliances are cumbersome to handle. However, it is important to consider sustainable options whenever you decide to dispose of big appliances. These methods can include giving away your old appliances to charity organizations, taking them to a recycling center, or making use of the community collection events taking place in your vicinity. It is essential to recycle used appliances because they save the environment from pollution and reduce space occupied by landfills.
Dispose of Big Appliances With Ez on the Earth
Are you ready to dispose big appliances at the most affordable prices? Ez on the Earth offers a range of recycling facilities including the responsible recycling of big appliances at competitive prices.
To start your journey of electronic waste recycling, get in touch with us today.