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Refrigerator & Freezer Removal: Cost, Municipal Bulk Pickup Rules & Disposal Options
Federal EPA Section 608 rules require certified refrigerant recovery before a refrigerator or freezer can be scrapped; compare free county white-goods drop-off, electric utility rebates ($35–$75), city special loads, or in-home pickup from $115.
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Your Refrigerator & Freezer Disposal & Hauling Options
EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Recovery & Child-Safety Door Rules
Under federal Clean Air Act Section 608 regulations, fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon refrigerants (R-134a, R-600a, R-22) must be evacuated by a certified technician or state-permitted white-goods facility before disposal. Most cities (including Austin, Charlotte, and Houston) also require refrigerator doors or hinges to be removed before setting a unit at the curb. [2]
County Multi-Material Drop-Off vs. City Curbside Rules
Wake County’s Multi-Material Recycling Facilities (9029 Deponie Dr in Raleigh and 6130 Old Smithfield Rd in Apex) and Durham’s Waste Disposal Center (2115 E. Club Blvd) accept residential refrigerators for free and recover refrigerant onsite. At the curb, Raleigh charges $70 (Special Load), Cary charges $15 (311 appointment) or $10 at the Citizen’s Convenience Center, Houston requires a certified technician's Freon-removal tag, and Wake Forest bans Freon appliances from curbside bulk pickup. [3]
In-Home Refrigerator & Freezer Haul-Away
Skip strapping a 250–350 lb refrigerator to an appliance dolly or paying a technician to tag it for the curb: LoadUp disconnects and removes refrigerators and freezers from kitchens, garages, and basements with upfront pricing starting at $115. [1]
Prices
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County Multi-Material (6130 Old Smithfield Rd / 9029 Deponie Dr) & Durham (2115 E. Club Blvd) resident drop-off | Free | [3] |
| City of Raleigh curbside Special Load Collection (up to 2 refrigerators) | $70 per load | [4] |
| Town of Cary Citizen’s Convenience Center appliance drop-off (through Dec 31, 2026) | $10 per appliance | [5] |
| LoadUp in-home refrigerator or freezer removal | from $115 | [1] |
Prices as published by the source on the access date; confirm before you go.
City Bulk Pickup Rules for Refrigerator & Freezer Disposal
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Apex, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Austin, TX
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Cary, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Charlotte, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Durham, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Houston, TX
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Phoenix, AZ
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Raleigh, NC
- Junk removal & bulk pickup in Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC
FAQ
Why won't my city trash truck or roll-off dumpster take my old refrigerator?
Federal EPA Section 608 rules and state landfill bans (such as NC G.S. 130A-309.10) prohibit landfilling white goods or crushing compressors containing refrigerant. Refrigerators must go to a dedicated white-goods recycling facility or be hauled by an appliance removal service.
How much does professional refrigerator removal cost?
Upfront in-home refrigerator or freezer removal through LoadUp starts at $115, which covers two-person indoor lifting, stair navigation, and EPA-compliant refrigerant recycling.
Sources
- LoadUp: Refrigerator Removal & Disposal Pricing (accessed 2026-10-24)
- US EPA: Section 608 Stationary Refrigeration & Appliance Disposal Rules (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Wake County Government: Multi-Material Recycling Facilities (9029 Deponie Dr & 6130 Old Smithfield Rd) (accessed 2026-10-24)
- City of Raleigh: Bulky, Special ($70), and E-Waste Curbside Collection (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Town of Cary: Garbage & Appliance Collection (accessed 2026-10-24)
Last checked 2026-10-24.