How to Dispose of a Refrigerator in the Shoals

Why a Fridge Is Different

You cannot just roll an old refrigerator to the curb and expect it gone. Refrigerators, freezers, mini-fridges and window air conditioners contain refrigerant (often called freon) sealed in their cooling systems. Under Section 608 of the federal Clean Air Act, that refrigerant must be recovered by someone using certified equipment before the appliance is scrapped, and the final disposer has to be able to document that recovery happened. That single rule shapes every disposal option below. Many units also contain a small amount of oil and, in older models, other regulated components - another reason a fridge is handled separately from regular junk.

Option 1: Retailer Haul-Away With a New Purchase

If you are replacing the fridge, the store that delivers the new one is often the easiest exit for the old one:

• Home Depot will haul away one old appliance when it delivers the matching new one, typically for a small per-appliance fee. It is one-for-one and same-category (a fridge for a fridge), and the old unit must be fully disconnected and emptied before the crew arrives.
• Lowe's similarly removes your old appliance when you buy and pay for delivery of a replacement, one-for-one and same type.

Neither retailer will make a standalone trip just to remove an appliance you are not replacing - see our full guide, Does Home Depot / Lowe's Haul Away Appliances?

Option 2: Utility or Recycling Rebate Programs

Some electric utilities in the region occasionally run appliance-recycling or bounty programs that pick up an old, working second fridge or freezer and may pay a small incentive, because retiring an inefficient unit saves energy. Availability changes year to year, so check your current electric provider's website for any active program before assuming it exists.

Option 3: Scrap It (Refrigerant Recovered First)

Scrap-metal yards will take a refrigerator for its steel, but reputable yards require proof that the refrigerant has already been professionally evacuated, or they will do it for a fee. Do not attempt to release or vent refrigerant yourself - it is illegal and unsafe. A licensed HVAC tech can recover it and provide documentation.

Option 4: Public Landfill / Transfer Site

Public disposal sites such as the Lauderdale County landfill on Cloverdale Road may accept appliances, but often only after the refrigerant has been recovered, and typically for a fee. Policies and charges differ by facility and change over time, so call the site to confirm whether they take sealed-system appliances, whether they require a recovery certificate, and the current rate before you make the trip.

Option 5: Full-Service Pickup (We Handle the Freon Step)

The simplest option is to let us take it. Our refrigerator removal service carries the unit out - from a kitchen, a garage, or a back porch - and routes it so the refrigerant is properly recovered and the metal is recycled. You do not have to find an HVAC tech, rent a truck, or wrestle a 300-pound appliance down the steps. Empty and defrost it beforehand if you can, and we will handle the rest. Call or text (256) 967-3054.

Before Pickup: A Quick Checklist

• Empty all food and remove loose shelves and drawers if they rattle.
• Defrost a freezer and wipe up standing water to avoid a mess on the way out.
• If small children can reach it, tape or remove the door until pickup - an old habit worth keeping for safety.

Last verified August 2026. Retailer fees, utility programs and landfill policies change; confirm current details with the retailer, your utility, or the disposal facility.

What Happens to Your Old Fridge After Pickup

Once a refrigerator is properly retired, very little of it is actually wasted. After the refrigerant and any oil are recovered by certified means, the unit is a rich source of recyclable steel, aluminum and copper - the compressor alone is dense scrap metal. The shell and internal metal are separated and sent to scrap recyclers, and remaining plastics and insulation are handled per the recycler's process. Doing it this way keeps regulated refrigerant out of the atmosphere and puts the metal back into circulation.

Is Your Old Fridge Worth Keeping as a Backup?

Plenty of Shoals households keep a second refrigerator or a chest freezer in the garage. If yours still runs, it may be worth keeping - or giving to someone who needs one - rather than scrapping it. But be honest about the energy cost: an older second fridge running 24/7 can quietly add a meaningful amount to your power bill every month. If it is more than a decade or two old and rarely used, retiring it often pays for itself.

Freezers, Mini-Fridges and Window ACs

The same rules and options apply to chest and upright freezers, dorm-size mini-fridges, and window air-conditioning units - all contain refrigerant that must be recovered before scrapping. We handle each of these the same careful way, so whether it is a full kitchen fridge or a small dorm unit, you are covered with a single call.

Sources

• US EPA - Safe Disposal Requirements (Section 608)
• Lowe's - Appliance Delivery & Haul-Away
• Lauderdale County - Solid Waste