Large appliances such as your fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, and oven, are known as white goods, and the process of disposing of them isn’t as easy as throwing out an old pair of ripped jeans. If you’ve decided to replace any of your white goods, then you need to know how to properly and safely get rid of the old ones.
If you’re replacing an appliance that is still in good working condition, you may not need to dispose of it at all. Depending on its condition, you may be able to sell it on websites such as Gumtree or Facebook. You never know what somebody else might be looking for. (For Facebook, try searching “buy and sell + your city or suburb name”. Groups and pages dedicated to trading and selling are becoming very common!)
If your appliance is looking a bit worse for wear, or has a few minor faults but still works well enough, your next best option could be to simply give it away for free. This benefits everyone involved, as you could be giving a helping hand to someone in need and it means you no longer have to deal with getting it removed properly. At worst, you might just have to be the one to drop it off to its new owner.
For some appliances, the original manufacturer will be happy to pick up their old wares once your new appliance has been delivered. They may charge you a small fee for the service, but you’ll be left with the peace of mind that your old appliance will be in safe hands. Most companies have an obligation to dispose of their old machines responsibly, so make sure you ask beforehand what their process of disposal is.
Your council may have specific rules and regulations in place when it comes to the disposal of white goods. In order to avoid running into any trouble or breaking any local laws, make a point of contacting your council and talking to them about any rules that they may enforce when it comes to recycling.
In a best case scenario, you might discover that they offer a service that will dispose of your old goods for you, so it doesn’t hurt to give them a call!
Some people make a living out of salvaging useful materials out of scrap metal. Search around online to see if there is anyone in your area who could make good use out of your old appliance. If you’re not able to sell your machine on or donate it to a charity, passing it onto a metal recycler lets you know that your machine isn’t going to waste.
When it comes to kitchen renovations, some skip bin hire companies allow white goods to be included, while others don’t. At Bonza Bins, we allow white goods to be put in with kitchen renovation waste. Once your bin reaches the transfer station, your white goods are sent to metal recycling, and any fridges are de-gassed to ensure safety. We serve all of Perth with skip bins, and have skip bin sizes that will suit any appliance.
We also like to recycle everything else! Read here about our process for recycling and green waste.
If you’re disposing of old appliances, that can only mean that you’re replacing them with newer models. While you’re shopping for your upgrade, make a point of looking for environmentally friendly options that have long warranties and a history of good service. The less white goods you have to dispose of in your lifetime, the better your impact on the world around you.
