Can I Take My Old Fridge To The Tip?

Many people wonder whether they can take their old fridge or freezer to the tip to dispose of it, and the simple answer is yes. However, there are a lot of things to consider before doing so.

Our expert furniture removal team explains how to decide whether taking your fridge to the tip is the right option for you, and provides tips to ensure your trip to the tip is successful if you do decide to dispose of your fridge in this way. 

Households across the UK are able to take fridges and all white goods to the local recycling centre for disposal, since the tip is a specialist site where materials can be accepted, separated and begin their journey to being recycled.

Although not all local recycling centres accept all categories of waste, so it is vital that you consult with your local tip first to ensure that they are suitable for white goods disposal, and find out whether they accept fridges at all. You can find the contact details for your local recycling centre using this handy tool. 

However, whilst taking your old fridge is an option, there are some benefits and drawbacks of doing so, all of which are worth considering before you make the journey:

Once broken down, transportation can be a tricky task. Unless you already own a large vehicle or van, you most likely will not be able to fit the whole unit in your car – this means either borrowing a car from a friend, or renting one. With some disposal centres banning the use of vans to drop off household waste, it’s always best to check with your local tip to see their requirements to save a wasted journey.

• Typically free of charge

One of the biggest benefits of taking your fridge to the tip is that it is free. Unlike when you hire a professional company, your local council, or a retailer to collect your white goods and pay for the convenience of doing so, taking your fridge to the tip will typically come at no cost at all.

• You don’t have to book in advance

For most local tips, you don’t have to book in advance to take your waste and you can just turn up. This means that no matter how urgently you need to shift your fridge, you can decide at the last minute to take it to the tip (as long as it is open), making it a fairly flexible way to get rid of your waste. 

• It will be legally and ethically disposed of

Fridges can be very harmful to the environment if left in landfills since they contain Chlorofluorocarbons, which is an ozone-depleting substance. Therefore, it is crucial that they are disposed of responsibly, or by a professional. 

Arguably one of the main benefits of taking your fridge to the tip is the guarantee that, once handed over, it will be disposed of responsibly and with the planet in mind. Fortunately, white goods tend to have a lot of metal components, meaning that they can be recycled properly with the right care and the local recycling centre can provide just that.

• Fridges can be difficult to transport

Since they contain harmful substances, you need to take greater care when transporting and disposing of refrigerators. When storing and transporting them, it is a good idea to keep them upright where possible to prevent damage being caused to the refrigerator compressor. This compressor contains oil which is kept in place when the fridge is upright, but it spills into other parts of the fridge when left on its side. 

Carrying your fridge in this way is virtually impossible if you don’t have a large van on hand, which may require hiring a larger vehicle to transport your fridge to the tip. It’s worth bearing in mind that some recycling centres don’t accept vans, so check before you hire and make a trip to the tip. 

• Difficult to get to a local recycling centre

Depending on where you live, your local tip may be some distance away from your home. What’s more, it is only open certain hours which can make it challenging for those who work certain shifts, or don’t have access to a large vehicle during those hours for some reason or other. 

• Long queues and waiting times

Since taking your waste to the local tip is free, there tends to be very high demand for the local recycling centre’s services, and long waits and queues as a result. In fact, when you go to the tip during peak times, it is common to have to queue to get rid of your waste, meaning it is not ideal for those who are slightly more pushed for time when getting rid of their old fridge. 

• Contact your local recycling centre beforehand to make sure that they accept white goods, and fridges in particular. 

• Find out the opening times for your local tip to ensure that it is open when you go to visit, else you may make a wasted trip! 

• Arrange a vehicle fit for transporting your fridge to the local recycling centre. We recommend measuring your fridge or freezer beforehand to see whether it will fit in your car. If not, you may need to consider hiring a van, which can prove costly in and of itself! To make the hire more worthwhile if you do rent a van, consider taking more of your waste at the same time, if you have any. 

• Defrost your refrigerator on time since you will need to prepare your refrigerator for removal in advance of taking it to the tip. This can take quite a long time, since it will need to air and defrost before you transport it. 

• Plan your time well since taking your fridge to the tip can be a time-consuming process and may involve waiting around. Therefore, we recommend doing it when you have time to spare and are not in a rush. 

Unfortunately, the local recycling centre isn’t accessible for everyone, particularly when it comes to bulky waste like white goods.

Luckily, regardless of whether you are stuck for time or without a vehicle to take you there, hiring a professional white goods removal team is the perfect option, offering fast, affordable and comprehensive clearance services when you need them. 

If you are looking for a more convenient way to get rid of your old fridge or freezer, book a one-off white goods removal. Our furniture disposal team are able to provide you with a fixed, free and fair quote, with no obligation to book.

Call our rubbish removal company today on the number: 0208 504 2380.