How to Get Rid of Old Appliances in LA (2026)

Short answer

Most household appliances — washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, microwaves — are just heavy metal, recycled as scrap, with no special disposal hazard. The exception is anything with refrigerant (refrigerators, freezers, AC units), which is hazardous waste and can't go to a landfill loose. Your free routes are city curbside pickup, a utility rebate for a working fridge, retailer haul-away, or a scrap and e-waste drop-off. A washer hauled out for you is a flat $159, all-in.

The two kinds of appliances

This one distinction decides everything. Big metal appliances — washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, ranges, water heaters — are mostly steel and are widely recycled as scrap, so they're straightforward to get rid of. Anything with refrigerant is a different story.

Fridges, freezers & AC units are different

Anything with refrigerant is universal waste in California — the refrigerant must be recovered by a certified technician before the metal is scrapped, and Southern California landfills reject these units loose. We cover the details in our refrigerator guide.

Your options at a glance

Option	Cost	Catch
City curbside pickup (LASAN)	Free	City of LA, curbside, 1–2 week waits
Utility rebate (working fridge/freezer)	Free + a bill credit	Unit must work; program must be open
Retailer haul-away	Often free with a new appliance	Only when buying a replacement
Scrap metal or e-waste drop-off	Free	You haul it; small electronics go to S.A.F.E. Centers
Best valuePaid removal — JunkLine	$159 (washer)	Carried out for you; refrigerant handled

What each appliance needs

The big metal ones — washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove, water heater — go to scrap recyclers. Microwaves and other small electronics count as e-waste. Fridges, freezers, and AC units need the refrigerant handled first, as above.

Microwaves count as e-waste

In LA, microwaves and other small electronics can be dropped free at a S.A.F.E. Center (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics), open weekends for City and County of LA residents.

How to prep an appliance for pickup

Empty it and unplug it (defrost a fridge or freezer first).
Disconnect and drain the hoses on a washer or dishwasher.
For a gas stove or gas dryer, have the gas line safely shut off and disconnected first — use a plumber or the utility if you're not sure.
Secure or remove the door so it can't trap anyone.
Pull it a few inches from the wall and clear the path out.

When paid removal is worth it

The appliance is heavy or awkward and it's up stairs or in a back room.
It's a dead fridge, freezer, or AC unit that utility programs won't take.
You've got several at once — a full kitchen or laundry swap, or a whole cleanout.
You're on a deadline — a move, a sale, or a rental turnover.
Your address isn't covered by city pickup (an independent city or a recycLA apartment).

With flat pricing you see the total before you book, the crew carries it out from wherever it sits, the metal is recycled as scrap, and refrigerant units are handled to code. See how it fits a larger job on our appliance removal page or the full price list.

Flat price, carried out for you

Microwave$55
Dishwasher$129
Washer$159
Dryer$149
Stove / Oven / Range$109

All-in · $75 job minimum · metal recycled, refrigerant handled to code

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Frequently asked questions

Big metal appliances need a scheduled pickup or drop-off, not the regular trash. Fridges, freezers, and AC units are hazardous waste and are rejected by landfills unless the refrigerant is recovered first.

A utility recycling program, if it's open — free pickup plus a bill credit. Otherwise free city curbside pickup, then paid removal for speed. See our refrigerator guide for details.

Yes. Washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, and water heaters are mostly steel and go to scrap recyclers; refrigerant units are handled by certified recyclers.

With flat pricing, a microwave is $55, a dishwasher is $129, and a washer is $159, all-in, with a $75 minimum — carried out for you.

Yes, once the gas line is safely disconnected. If you're not comfortable shutting off the gas, have a plumber or the utility do it before we arrive.

Clearing out a kitchen or laundry?

If it's heavy, dead, up stairs, or you've got several to move at once, get an exact, all-in price in seconds.