How to Recycle Appliances in Chicago: Drop-Off Locations, Pickup Options & What's Accepted
How to Recycle Appliances in Chicago: Drop-Off Locations, Pickup Options & What's Accepted
Got an old fridge taking up space in your garage? A broken washing machine you need gone? Chicago has several free and low-cost options for recycling appliances, from curbside bulk pickup to year-round drop-off sites. Here's exactly where to take your old appliances and what happens to them after drop-off.
Why You Can't Just Toss Appliances in the Trash
Most large appliances contain materials that are both valuable and hazardous:
Refrigerators and air conditioners contain refrigerants (like Freon) that must be professionally removed to prevent ozone damage
Washers, dryers, and dishwashers have steel, copper wiring, and motors that can be recycled
Stoves and ovens contain scrap metal worth recovering
Water heaters may have brass fittings and steel tanks
Landfilling these means losing recoverable materials and potentially releasing harmful chemicals. Chicago's appliance recycling programs keep these items out of landfills and recover usable materials.
Free Curbside Bulk Pickup (For Chicago Residents)
If you live in the city, you can schedule a free bulk item pickup through 311:
What's accepted:
Refrigerators and freezers
Washers and dryers
Stoves and ovens
Dishwashers
Water heaters
Microwaves (if too large for regular recycling)
How to schedule:
Call 311 or use the CHI311 app
Request a bulk item pickup
Place your appliance at the curb by 6 AM on your scheduled day
Refrigerators/freezers: Remove doors or secure them so kids can't get trapped inside
Limits: Up to 5 bulk items per pickup. No limit on how often you can schedule.
Prep requirements:
Empty all contents
Unplug and let refrigerators defrost 24 hours before pickup
Remove hoses from washers/dishwashers if possible
Year-Round Drop-Off: City Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
Chicago's permanent drop-off site accepts appliances every Saturday:
Location:
Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N North Branch St, Chicago, IL 60642
Hours:
Saturday only, 7 AM – 12 PM (closed on holiday weekends)
What you can bring:
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners (Freon-containing units)
Washers, dryers, dishwashers
Stoves, ovens, microwaves
Water heaters, dehumidifiers
Small kitchen appliances (blenders, toasters, coffee makers)
What's NOT accepted:
Built-in appliances still attached to cabinetry
Commercial-grade equipment
Anything leaking fluids
Cost: Free for Chicago residents (bring ID or recent utility bill)
This facility also accepts electronics, paint, and other household hazardous waste — so you can drop off multiple items in one trip.
🔧 Retailer Take-Back Programs
Many appliance retailers offer haul-away when you purchase a new unit:
Home Depot:
Free haul-away with delivery of a new appliance
$25 haul-away without purchase (refrigerators/freezers only)
Locations throughout Chicagoland
Lowe's:
Free haul-away with new appliance delivery
Must be similar item (e.g., new fridge for old fridge)
Available at all Chicago-area stores
Best Buy:
Free haul-away with new appliance delivery
$29.99 standalone haul-away for most appliances
$59.99 for refrigerators/freezers (includes Freon removal)
ComEd Fridge & Freezer Recycling Program:
ComEd customers get $50 to recycle an old working fridge or freezer
Free pickup from your home
Unit must be working and 10+ cubic feet
Call 1-855-433-2700 or visit ComEd.com/recycling
GreenWay Recycles: Commercial & Residential Appliance Pickup
We handle appliance recycling for businesses, property managers, and residents who need same-day or next-day service:
What we take:
All household appliances (fridges, washers, dryers, stoves, etc.)
Commercial kitchen equipment
HVAC units and water heaters
Bulk quantities from renovations or property cleanouts
Why use GreenWay:
Flexible scheduling — no waiting for the city's bulk day
We handle Freon removal and proper disposal documentation
Great for landlords, contractors, and multi-unit buildings
Competitive pricing for commercial volumes
Call (773) 522-0025 for a quote or to schedule pickup.
What Happens to Recycled Appliances?
Once collected, appliances go through a multi-step recycling process:
Hazardous material removal: Refrigerants, oils, and mercury switches are safely extracted by certified technicians
Dismantling: Appliances are broken down into component materials
Material sorting: Steel, copper, aluminum, and plastic are separated
Metal recycling: Scrap metal is melted down and sold to manufacturers
Plastic recovery: Clean plastics are pelletized for reuse in new products
A typical refrigerator yields:
100-150 lbs of steel
5-10 lbs of copper wiring
10-15 lbs of recyclable plastic
Recovered refrigerant (properly destroyed or reclaimed)
Do's and Don'ts for Appliance Recycling
Do:
✅ Remove all food, clothing, and personal items before drop-off
✅ Defrost refrigerators and freezers 24 hours in advance
✅ Disconnect hoses and drain water from washers
✅ Keep refrigerator doors secured or removed for curbside pickup
✅ Check if your utility company offers rebates for recycling old, working units
Don't:
❌ Leave appliances in alleys without scheduling pickup (illegal dumping)
❌ Attempt to remove Freon yourself (requires EPA certification)
❌ Put small appliances in your regular trash if they have cords (recycle as e-waste instead)
❌ Drop off appliances at the city facility on non-Saturday days
Quick Reference: Where to Take Common Appliances
Refrigerators/Freezers:
ComEd recycling program (get $50 if it works)
311 bulk pickup
City drop-off facility (Saturdays)
Retailer haul-away with new purchase
Washers/Dryers:
311 bulk pickup
City drop-off facility (Saturdays)
Retailer haul-away
Stoves/Ovens/Dishwashers:
311 bulk pickup
City drop-off facility (Saturdays)
Retailer haul-away
Small Kitchen Appliances (microwaves, blenders, toasters):
City drop-off facility (Saturdays)
Some electronics recycling events (check our events calendar)
Retail e-waste drop-offs (Best Buy, Staples)
Need Appliance Pickup Today?
If you're on a tight timeline — moving out, finishing a renovation, or clearing an estate — GreenWay Recycles offers same-day and next-day appliance pickup throughout the Chicago area. We handle everything from single units to full building cleanouts, with proper documentation for property managers and contractors.
Call (773) 522-0025 or visit our website to schedule your pickup.