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Freon Removal Before Disposal in California
Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners hold refrigerant (often called Freon). Federal rules apply everywhere; city rules decide what gets picked up. Checked November 1, 2026.
City rules
| City | Fridge, freezer and AC refrigerant rule | Source (checked) |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Remove fridge and freezer doors before setting out. | LA Sanitation and Environment: Metal Appliance Pickup (November 1, 2026) |
| San Diego | Fridges, freezers and ACs (appliances with CFCs) cost $25 at Miramar. | City of San Diego Environmental Services: Miramar Recycling Center (November 1, 2026) |
| San Jose | Empty, remove glass shelves, unlock and tape all doors. | City of San Jose Environmental Services: Items and Instructions for Junk Pickup (November 1, 2026) |
| Long Beach | Remove doors or tape them shut; appliances go on a separate truck. | City of Long Beach Recycles: Special Collection 101 (November 1, 2026) |
| Bakersfield | Shut doors securely with rope or duct tape. | City of Bakersfield Solid Waste: Curbside Bulky Pickup Program flyer, 2020 (PDF) (November 1, 2026) |
| Fresno | Fridges and freezers are not accepted in the One-Time Bulky Item Pickup. | City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities: One-Time Bulky Item Pickup (November 1, 2026) |
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))
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)
Fees by city: official disposal fee table. All city rules: appliance disposal in California.
FAQ
Do I need to remove the Freon before throwing out a fridge in California?
None of the California city pages we checked ask you to remove it before pickup or drop-off. Federally, the final disposer must make sure any refrigerant in the appliance is recovered. In California, materials that require special handling must be removed from a major appliance, such as a refrigerator, freezer or air conditioner, before it is crushed, baled or shredded, and an intact appliance that still has them must go to a scrap recycling facility with a current Certified Appliance Recycler certification. Los Angeles asks you to remove fridge and freezer doors before setting one out; San Diego's Miramar Recycling Center charges $25 each for refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Sources: U.S. EPA, California DTSC, LA Sanitation, City of San Diego.
Do I need a sticker to dispose of an appliance?
EPA says no sticker is required for disposal under federal rules. Source: U.S. EPA.
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