How to dispose of an old fridge or freezer in the UK

Updated 6 November 2026 · By the Appliance Disposal team

Short answer: In the UK an old fridge or freezer must go to an approved treatment facility because its refrigerant gas and insulation foam need specialist handling. The legal routes are retailer take-back when you buy a replacement, a council bulky waste collection, a household waste recycling centre, or a registered waste carrier who gives you a waste transfer note. Never leave one on the street, as that is fly-tipping.

How to dispose of an old fridge or freezer in the UK

Why fridges need special treatment

Older fridges and freezers contain CFC or HCFC gases in the cooling circuit and the foam insulation, and newer ones use flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants. At an approved treatment facility the gas is extracted and the foam is processed in a sealed system so nothing escapes, then the steel, copper, aluminium and plastic are recovered for recycling.

Your options

Option	Good for	Things to know
Retailer take-back	Buying a like-for-like replacement	Usually needs booking at the time of purchase, often for a fee
Council bulky waste collection	Anyone who can wait for a slot	Prices and waiting times vary widely between councils
Household waste recycling centre	People with a suitable vehicle	You load and unload it yourself
Registered waste carrier	Quick collection or awkward access	Check their registration and get a waste transfer note

How to prepare it for collection

Switch it off and leave the door open for at least 24 hours to defrost
Mop up the water and remove all food, shelves and drawers you want to keep
Keep it upright, as tipping can damage the cooling pipes
Clear a path from the fridge to the front door
Tape the door shut just before it is moved

Avoiding rogue collectors

Under the household Duty of Care you can be fined if your waste is fly-tipped by someone you paid, even if you did not dump it yourself. Always check the collector's waste carrier registration on the public register and keep the waste transfer note.