Prep Your Appliances for Scrap Metal Recycling

Before you recycle your old appliances, a bit of preparation is necessary to ensure that they’re suitable for scrap metal recycling. This involves cleaning them off to remove any food residue or built-up grime and, in some cases, safely disconnecting them from power sources and detaching external tubes or pipes. Ensuring your appliances are stripped of non-metal components, such as plastic or glass, can also be beneficial, as pure metal is more valuable for recycling.

In places like Boise, Nampa, Meridian, and Caldwell, taking the time to prepare your scrap appliances correctly not only simplifies the recycling process but also potentially increases the amount of money you can receive for them. It’s also a step towards responsible recycling, as it allows for easier and more efficient material recovery. For more tips on how to recycle scrap metal, contact Junk Holler today!

A pile of recycled scrap metal appliances in Boise, ID.

Recycling Old Appliances

When you recycle appliances, valuable metals such as steel, copper, and aluminum are recovered. Appliance recycling gives these materials a second life, which is crucial for environmental protection.

Scrapping appliances not only conserves more metal, but it also curtails the mining of new materials and mitigates the emission of greenhouse gases. Listed below are some other reasons for recycling scrap metal:

  1. Energy Efficiency: The process of recycling scrap metal from appliances requires significantly less energy than extracting and refining virgin metals. This reduction in energy consumption directly translates to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. Reduction of Landfill Waste: Scrapping your old appliances prevents bulky items from taking up space in landfills, where they can potentially release hazardous substances into the ground and waterways.
  3. Economic Benefits: Recycling creates jobs in waste management and the scrap metal industry, supporting local economies.
  4. Societal Impact: Recycling helps inculcate a culture of sustainability and responsibility, showing future generations the importance of resource preservation.
  5. Compliance with Regulations: Recycling ensures that the disposal of old appliances is in line with environmental protection legislation.

How to Prepare Your Appliances for Scrap Metal Recycling

Before dropping off your appliances at scrap yards or arranging for pickup, you should prepare them for scrap metal recycling. Drain water from washing machines, safely dispose of hazardous materials according to the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, and separate any non-metallic parts like plastic. This process ensures that recyclable material is efficiently processed and that you get the most value for your scrap metal.

Which Appliances Can Be Recycled?

Most appliances can be recycled. Large appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines, contain ferrous metals like steel and valuable metals like copper. Moreover, E-waste recycling services can accept other appliances, such as freezers, stoves, and even smaller items, ensuring that they don’t pose a threat to the environment.

How to Recycle Old Appliances

Recycling old appliances involves separating metals and other materials before they are sent to scrap yards. Here’s how to make sure your old appliance doesn’t contribute to environmental harm:

  1. Contact Professionals: Junk removal services, like Junk Holler, can help with all things recycling, including pick-up and sorting of materials.
  2. Appliance Drop-Off: If you’re handling scrap metal recycling yourself, bring your used appliances to a local sanitation department or business that specializes in recycling white goods.
  3. Separating Metals: At Junk Holler, we separate ferrous from non-ferrous metals, ensuring that valuable metals like copper and aluminum are salvaged for scrap metal purposes.


By choosing to recycle your old appliances, you’re helping reduce the extraction of virgin materials and promoting a circular economy.

Junk Holler is here to guide you through the process, providing scrapping services that adhere to the highest environmental standards. If you’re looking to dispose of freezers, dryers, dishwashers, or any other large appliances, reach out to us, and we’ll take care of your appliance recycling needs with professionalism and care.

FAQs About Appliance Recycling

Refrigerators, air conditioning units, and other appliances often contain steel, copper, and aluminum, which are highly sought after in scrap metal recycling.

Yes, appliances like refrigerators and washing machines that contain more metal may be simpler to recycle than those with significant amounts of plastic or insulation. You may have to pay a HAZMAT fee on fridges that require freon removal. 

Most old appliances have some value when recycled correctly. Contact your local scrap yards or companies like Junk Holler for an assessment.

Yes, some local sanitation departments accept appliances for recycling. It’s best to contact them directly or work with a recycling business to understand federal law requirements and the recycling process.

Yes, you can directly sell your old appliance to a scrap yard, although it may require separating metals and ensuring hazardous materials are handled properly before disposal.

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