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Appliance Disposal in California: Fridges, Washers and More
How to get rid of an old fridge, freezer, washer, dryer or range in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, plus the state and federal rules. Every rule comes from the official page linked next to it, checked October 31, 2026 or November 1, 2026.
Cities at a glance
| City | Fridge or freezer rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Yes, for residents with LASAN curbside service, at no extra cost. Remove the doors first. | LA Sanitation and Environment: Metal Appliance Pickup |
| San Diego | $25 each at the Miramar Recycling Center for refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners; $12 for most other appliances. | City of San Diego Environmental Services: General Refuse Collection Information and Rules; City of San Diego Environmental Services: Miramar Recycling Center |
| San Jose | Book a no-cost City Junk Pickup. Empty it, remove glass shelves, and tape the doors shut. Commercial appliances are not accepted. | City of San Jose Environmental Services: Junk Pickup; City of San Jose Environmental Services: Items and Instructions for Junk Pickup |
| San Francisco | Yes, a residential refrigerator is an accepted bulky item. Buildings with 5 or fewer units get two no-charge bulky collections a year; in buildings with 6 or more units, each unit gets one. | Recology San Francisco: Bulky Items; Recology San Francisco: Accepted Bulky Items |
| Sacramento | Yes. Schedule through 311. You get two free appointments per calendar year, with up to two appliances per appointment at no charge. | City of Sacramento Recycling and Solid Waste: Appliance and E-Waste Pickup; SMUD: Recycling |
| Fresno | Not through the One-Time Bulky Item Pickup: refrigerators and freezers are on its not-accepted list. Stoves, ovens and drained water heaters are accepted. | City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities: One-Time Bulky Item Pickup; City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities: Residential Services (Free Dump Events) |
| Long Beach | Yes, as a Special Collection. You get 12 a year at no additional cost, though a regulatory fee may apply for items needing special handling. Remove the doors or tape them shut. Call (562) 570-2876. | City of Long Beach Recycles: Special Collection 101 |
| Oakland | Yes. Curbside bulky pickup is included with trash service: 2 appliances for single-family homes, 1 for apartments and condos. Call 1-888-962-8559. | City of Oakland (Oakland Recycles): Bulky Junk Services |
| Bakersfield | Yes. Major appliances, including refrigerators, are on the acceptable list for the curbside bulky program: 2 items every 3 months at no additional charge. Tape the doors shut. Call (661) 326-3114. | City of Bakersfield Solid Waste: Collection calendar, published 7/1/2026 (PDF); City of Bakersfield Solid Waste: Curbside Bulky Pickup Program flyer, 2020 (PDF) |
- The Bulky Junk Services page says a second curbside pickup is available annually at no additional cost 45 days after using one bulky drop off and one curbside pickup. (City of Oakland (Oakland Recycles): Bulky Junk Services, checked November 1, 2026)
- The 2026 bulky pickup flyer says single-family homes can schedule a second pickup after completing a drop off appointment and 60 days after using a curbside pickup. (City of Oakland (Oakland Recycles): Bulky Pickup Flyer 2026 (PDF), checked November 1, 2026)
Who to call: Both come from Oakland Recycles. We lead with the web page, which is the booking page. Call 1-888-962-8559 to confirm the wait before you book.
- The collection calendar published July 1, 2026 lists Large AC Units as acceptable items. (City of Bakersfield Solid Waste: Collection calendar, published 7/1/2026 (PDF), checked November 1, 2026)
- The Curbside Bulky Pickup Program flyer (PDF created November 2020; no date is printed on the flyer) lists Large AC Units as unacceptable items. (City of Bakersfield Solid Waste: Curbside Bulky Pickup Program flyer, 2020 (PDF), checked November 1, 2026)
Who to call: We lead with the newer calendar. Call City of Bakersfield Solid Waste at (661) 326-3114 before you set out a large AC unit.
Freon and refrigerant rules by city: Freon removal in California.
California state rules
- Major appliances in California include washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, ovens, stoves, water heaters, air conditioners and trash compactors (Public Resources Code 42166). (California Department of Toxic Substances Control: CAR Program: Managing Major Appliances)
- Materials that require special handling (MRSH) must be removed and properly managed before a major appliance is crushed, baled, shredded, sawed or sheared apart (Health and Safety Code 25212). (California Department of Toxic Substances Control: CAR Program: Managing Major Appliances)
- An intact appliance that still has MRSH must go to a scrap recycling facility that holds a current Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) certification. (California Department of Toxic Substances Control: CAR Program: Managing Major Appliances)
Federal rules (EPA)
- The final disposer of an appliance is responsible for making sure any refrigerant in it is recovered. If someone else recovered it first, EPA requires a signed statement with that person's name and address and the date of recovery. EPA says no sticker is required for disposal. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
- Before you dispose of a fridge or freezer, EPA suggests checking with your electric utility for a rebate or bounty (appliance turn-in) program, and with your city. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
- People recovering refrigerant from small appliances (five pounds or less of refrigerant) in the waste stream do not need Clean Air Act section 608 certification. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
- Hazardous parts such as PCBs, mercury and compressor oil must be removed from appliances before disposal. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
Before you haul it
- Empty fridges and freezers completely.
- Check whether the program wants fridge or freezer doors removed, taped shut or left on. Rules differ by city; some reject taped doors.
- Unplug the appliance. On a gas range or dryer, have the gas line shut off and capped by a qualified person before moving it.
- Call ahead: fees and rules change, and the official pages are the final word.
Other cities and counties in California run their own programs. This guide covers only the programs we could check on an official page. Ask your city or trash hauler before you set an appliance out.
Replacing it? Check California appliance rebates first.
California repair shops
FAQ
Does LA pick up old refrigerators for free?
Yes, for residents with LASAN curbside service, at no extra cost. Remove the doors first. Source: LA Sanitation and Environment.
How much does it cost to recycle a fridge in San Diego?
$25 each at the Miramar Recycling Center for refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners; $12 for most other appliances. Source: City of San Diego.
How do I get rid of a fridge in San Jose?
Book a no-cost City Junk Pickup. Empty it, remove glass shelves, and tape the doors shut. Commercial appliances are not accepted. Source: City of San Jose.
Will Recology take my old fridge?
Yes, a residential refrigerator is an accepted bulky item. Buildings with 5 or fewer units get two no-charge bulky collections a year; in buildings with 6 or more units, each unit gets one. Source: Recology San Francisco.
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