Ask the shop to take your old fridge or freezer when you buy a new one. The retailer must take back the same type of appliance, in store for free, and you have at least 28 days to return it. Otherwise book a council collection, use a household waste recycling centre or hire a registered waste carrier. Never leave it on the pavement.
Key points
- Retailers must take back your old appliance when you buy a new one of the same type, and in store this must be free.
- Fridges and freezers contain ozone depleting substances, so they must be recycled properly and cannot go in a normal skip or bin.
- Councils collect fridges as bulky waste, often for a small fee, and you will probably need to defrost the appliance first.
- Leaving a fridge on the pavement is illegal, and handing it to an unregistered collector can leave you liable if it is dumped.
- A clearance firm is the best choice if the fridge is part of a bigger clear out.
Why fridges and freezers cannot go in the bin
Old fridges and freezers are treated differently from other furniture and appliances. GOV.UK lists appliances containing ozone depleting substances, such as fridges, among its examples of hazardous waste. Recycle Your Electricals explains that the coolants are a greenhouse gas that must be captured, the foam insulation must be handled properly to avoid releasing harmful gases, and the metals and plastics can be recovered for reuse.
It also states that old fridges have had to be disposed of through approved contractors since 2002. In practical terms, that means a fridge cannot go in a general rubbish bin, a bulky pile on the street or, in most cases, a normal skip. One council's skip hire terms list fridges and freezers among prohibited items.
Option 1: retailer take back
This is often the easiest route. Under the waste electrical regulations, a shop that sells you a new appliance must offer to take back an old one of the same type. GOV.UK sets out the main conditions:
- The retailer must offer to take back waste of the same type as the item you buy, whether you buy in store, online or by mail order, and whatever the brand.
- The in store service must be free.
- If the retailer collects from your home, it may charge to cover transport.
- You must be given at least 28 days to return the old item.
Recycle Your Electricals adds that the old fridge does not need to be the same brand or bought from the same shop. When ordering your replacement, ask for collection on delivery day and ask whether there is a charge. Our guide to free rubbish disposal lists other no cost options.
Option 2: council collection or the tip
Councils collect fridges and freezers as bulky waste, though charges differ. You will probably need to defrost the appliance first and leave it ready on the day. Recycle Your Electricals notes a 2021 London survey found charges from £15 to over £60, with some councils offering free collection to residents on housing benefit.
From our own council research, checked on 3 November 2026:
| City | What the council charges |
|---|---|
| Glasgow | £25 per white goods item (from 1 April 2026) |
| Edinburgh | £5 per item, up to five items per booking; free for households on Council Tax Reduction |
| Manchester | One free collection of up to three large items a year, then £27 for up to three items |
| Leeds | One free collection of up to five items a year, then £30 |
| Liverpool | Up to five bulky items free of charge |
| Cardiff | £15 for one or two items, plus a £5 booking fee |
| Newcastle | £10 per large item |
| Sheffield | £40.25 for one to three items |
You can see how each process works in our guide to booking a council bulky waste collection. If you have a vehicle and can lift the appliance safely, most household waste recycling centres accept fridges and freezers, but check opening times and rules first.
Option 3: a registered waste firm or charity
A licensed waste firm can remove an old fridge as a single item or as part of a larger clearance. In Birmingham, one ranked firm publishes appliance removals from £66.75 including VAT; see the Birmingham junk clearance ranking. In Glasgow, one ranked firm publishes load prices from £100 plus VAT for an eighth of a van; see the Glasgow junk clearance ranking. A larger clear out is where this route tends to be best value, and you can compare more areas on the junk clearance hub.
Some charities accept fridges and freezers that work or can be refurbished. Selling or giving a working appliance away through a marketplace or Freecycle is another route, usually with the buyer collecting. In every case, be honest about whether it works.
Will a scrap man take it, and can I dump it?
People often ask whether a passing scrap collector will take a fridge for free. It may be tempting, but the law treats it as waste, and you have a duty of care to pass it only to someone authorised to take it. In Wales, Natural Resources Wales says private firms need to be registered as upper tier waste carriers, advises caution about cash only offers or very low prices, and suggests asking where your waste will go.
You can check a carrier on the Environment Agency public register in England, or the Natural Resources Wales register in Wales. In Scotland, check with SEPA. Keep a note of the registration number and ask for a receipt. Our guide on fly-tipping fines explains what can happen to you if your waste is dumped.
Dumping is not an option. Recycle Your Electricals states that leaving a fridge or freezer on the pavement is against the law, because it can obstruct the path and mean hazardous materials are not handled properly. Only leave one outside if you have arranged a collection.
How to prepare your fridge or freezer
- Empty it completely and throw away any remaining food.
- Switch it off and defrost it, ideally the day before, putting towels down for the water.
- Wipe the inside clean and leave the door ajar to dry, then tape it shut or remove the door for collection if told to.
- Clear a route to the front door and check the collector has the right size of van.
- Keep your booking confirmation and the carrier's registration number.
If the fridge is part of a bigger clear out, such as a garage or kitchen refit, see our guide on what can and cannot go in a skip and our guide on getting rid of an old mattress to plan the rest of the load.
Quick answers
How do I get rid of a fridge freezer for free in the UK?
The simplest free route is retailer take back: in store it must be free when you buy a new appliance of the same type, and you have at least 28 days. Some councils also collect free for certain residents, such as those on housing benefit, and charities may take working appliances.
Will a scrap man take a fridge freezer away?
Some will, but you should only hand waste to a registered waste carrier and keep a record. Be cautious about cash only offers. If the fridge is later dumped, you could be held responsible for failing your duty of care.
Can I dump a fridge for free?
No. Leaving a fridge or freezer on the pavement or in the countryside is illegal, and it is a particular environmental risk because of the coolants and foam. Use retailer take back, a council collection, a recycling centre or a registered firm instead.
What is the best way to get rid of an old fridge?
If you are buying a replacement, retailer take back is usually easiest and cheapest. If not, book a council collection or use a household waste recycling centre. For a larger clear out, a registered clearance firm is often the best value.
Find a trusted junk clearance firm
We rank the five best junk clearance companies in 11 UK cities on reviews, licensing and recycling. Nobody pays to be listed. See all junk clearance rankings.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Take back waste in store (electrical waste: retailer and distributor responsibilities)
- Recycle Your Electricals: Recycle fridges and freezers
- GOV.UK: Dispose of hazardous waste
- Natural Resources Wales: Householders, disposing of your household waste
- GOV.UK: Find a registered waste carrier
- Huntingdonshire District Council: Skip hire terms and conditions
Prices and council fees quoted from our city rankings were checked on 3 November 2026. Rules can change, so check with your council or the regulator before you act. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
