How to Get Rid of Household Appliances Safely

What happens to broken or outdated home appliances when disposed of? Re-Source Australia reveals a mind-bending 75.8 megatonnes (Mt) of waste in 2023, which includes household, commercial, and industrial wastes. Household waste includes food, e-waste cleaning products, and household appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, televisions, air conditioners, and washing machines. Because these items are bulky, they are also complicated to recycle and difficult to dispose of. 

So, how do you safely dispose of household appliances? Appliance disposal must be done efficiently and safely to reduce environmental impact and follow local council waste disposal regulations. Let us show you the steps to eliminate old appliances, including recycling and eco-friendly methods.

We will also highlight the importance and convenience of hiring an experienced trash removal company like All Gone Rubbish Removal to handle your old and broken appliances.

Why Safe Appliance Disposal is Important

Eco-friendly appliance disposal ensures the correct removal of your household appliances, preventing harmful chemicals like heavy metals and refrigerants from impacting the environment. Safe disposal also conserves valuable materials through the 5Rs of waste management.

Environmental Impact

Improper appliance disposal can lead to various environmental risks. When old and broken appliances are left in landfills, they can release dangerous chemicals into soil, air, and water, which endanger surrounding communities and wildlife.

• Refrigerants - chemicals, including CFCs and HCFCs, can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and worsen climate change.
• Toxic plastics - various non-biodegradable plastics become microplastics that pollute the oceans, negatively affecting marine animals and plants.
• Heavy metals - electronics contain cadmium, mercury and lead that can seep through the soil and contaminate water resources, affecting animals and plants.
• E-waste: When electronic waste and household appliances are incorrectly disposed of, they can release toxic chemicals that damage the environment.
• Overflow of landfills: Properly disposed appliances can remain in landfills, increasing greenhouse emissions and causing land degradation.

Legal and Regulatory Requirements

Sydney has strict regulations when it comes to the disposal of household appliances. The local council aims to minimise environmental effects and recycle hazardous waste correctly. Here are some rules you should remember:

• National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme—This rule requires manufacturers to fund the collection and recycling of TV sets and computer systems.
• Hazardous waste laws: Refrigerators and AC systems contain refrigerants and must be disposed of through designated recycling centres and programs.
• E-waste recycling - local councils provide e-waste collection for safe handling and recycling.
• Fines for illegally dumping household appliance waste - can range from $500,000 for businesses to $250,000 for individual violators.

Preparing Your Appliance for Disposal

Consider these strategies to prepare your household appliances for safe disposal.

Unplug and Disconnect

Avoid accidents by following these safe practices for unplugging and disconnecting your home appliances before disposal.

• Turn off the power and disconnect the appliance from the power outlet.
• For gas appliances, turn off the main gas supply and disconnect the appliance from the line. Call a professional for help.
• For appliances connected to the water supply, shut off the main water supply valve and disconnect the hose from the water inlet and the drain hose.
• Wrap power cords and other loose attachments.

Clean and Empty the Appliance

Recycling household appliances, especially kitchen appliances, ensures they are empty and clean. This helps avoid odours and messes while the appliance is transported and recycled. 

• Refrigerators and freezers - Dispose of refrigerators safely by removing all food and beverages and defrosting them. Afterwards, remove water and ice and wipe the interior dry to prevent the growth of mould and odours.
• Dishwashers and washing machines - drain water and clean the filters to prevent water damage. Clean detergent trays.
• Ovens and microwaves - To safely dispose of stoves and ovens, wipe away crumbs, grease, and other food debris.

Remember to remove removable appliance parts and accessories and wrap these separately. 

Eco-Friendly Appliance Disposal Methods

Dispose of household appliances safely using eco-friendly methods such as recycling, donating or selling usable items.

1. Recycling Programs

Various local councils have designated recycling centres and programs for large appliances. These programs break down all recyclable components and recover materials (metals, glass and plastics). Through these programs, communities can prevent the accumulation of waste in landfills and damage to the environment.

2. Donate or Sell Usable Appliances

Usable household appliances should be donated to charities to reduce waste. You may also sell your secondhand appliances to extend their lifespan. Online sites such as Gumtree, Cash Converters, The Closet and Buy Search Sell can help you sell these items.

3. Use a Professional Rubbish Removal Service

All Gone Rubbish Removal gives homeowners a convenient and eco-friendly way to dispose of large and bulky household appliances. We safely handle your old or broken appliances and send them to our recycling partners to ensure they are disposed of according to regulations.

How All Gone Rubbish Removals Can Help

All Gone Rubbish Removals can help you eliminate your rubbish minus the stress and worries that these will end up in landfills. We guarantee the following:

Fast and Efficient Removal

We offer quick and hassle-free appliance removal, making it easy to remove large items without lifting a finger. Call our hotlines now to take advantage of our fast, same-day rubbish removal.

Eco-Friendly Disposal

We are committed to recycling and eco-friendly disposal. You can be sure that your household appliances are disposed of responsibly to reduce landfill waste.

Handling Hazardous Materials

All Gone Rubbish Removals are experts in handling appliances with hazardous components, such as refrigerants in fridges. We dispose of these according to legal requirements to avoid harming the environment.

Common Appliances and Their Disposal Requirements

All Gone Rubbish Removal prioritises safe appliance disposal. If you want to get rid of large appliances, remember these:

Refrigerators and Freezers

Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerants and other dangerous chemicals that can harm the environment if not disposed of safely. Avoid this by using only a certified recycling program that can remove these materials to avoid pollution.

Washing Machines and Dryers

Old washing machines and dryers contain valuable metals such as aluminium and steel, which are reclaimed and reused. All Gone Rubbish Removal partners with local recycling centres that accept the disposal of these appliances.

Ovens, Stoves, and Microwaves

Remove all food debris and moving parts from ovens, stoves, and microwaves to safely dispose of them. An expert household appliance removal company like All Gone Rubbish Removal can help you dispose of these properly through your local recycling centre.

Conclusion

Disposal of large household appliances requires preparation and organisation and, of course, the help of an experienced rubbish removal company. An expert like All Gone Rubbish Removal will ensure safe and eco-friendly handling, transport and disposal of appliances. 

Contact All Gone Rubbish Removals for fast and responsible appliance removal services and office rubbish removals. We offer simple waste disposal according to local regulations. Schedule a pick-up anytime; our friendly rubbish removal crew is ready to help!

All Gone Rubbish Removals provides same-day rubbish removal services across Sydney, the Central Coast, Gosford, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast. Call us today at 0420 102 118 for your area's best-priced rubbish removal service!