When making changes and remodeling your home things need to be disposed of. One of those items could be a kitchen sink. But this raises the question, how does one dispose of a kitchen sink?
Dumping a kitchen sink of middling weight (around 30lbs) at a landfill will cost an average of $26.85, though the pricing at dump sites and transfer stations varies across the United States. However, when looking to dispose of a kitchen sink, there are better, cheaper ways to do it.
There are a few things to keep in mind when going to dump a kitchen sink, but we’ll talk about them here to help you out!
Average Cost to Dispose of a Kitchen Sink
A kitchen sink generally weighs anywhere from 25 to 55 pounds (lbs). As most dumps calculate cost by weight, let’s assume that the sink we are looking to get rid of weighs around 30 lbs. Depending on what part of the country you live in (and even which part of the state you live in), the costs could differ.
The Mono County solid waste program in California reports that they charge a $5 gate fee and then an additional $11.50 for each non-refrigerated appliance (Source).
Knott Landfill in the Deschutes County of Oregon reports their dump price as $22 for 0-400 pounds of household garbage or construction debris. If you need to dump more than that, it only costs three more dollars for each additional hundred pounds (Source).
Referring to the fact that different counties/parts of each state may differ in price, Lewis and Cowlitz Counties, Washington make a few dollars difference. The Central Transfer Station in Centralia charges $15 for 280 pounds or less and has a 3.4% refuse tax that is added for each transaction with them (Source). However, Lewis County only charges $9.65 for a minimum load (Source).
Moving on to another city, Provo, Utah charges $10 for in-district residents but $15 for out-of-district. The weight maximum for dumps in both cases remains at 540 lbs (Source). If you exceed that weight, the price prorates to $36 per ton.
In Madison County, Idaho, the transfer station charges $0.04 per pound so if we stick to our 30 lb sink we’re only looking at $1.20 to dump our sink (Source).
The least expensive option out of those mentioned is in Columbus, Georgia. They have two open landfills – Pine Grove Landfill and Granite Bluff Inert Landfill. Pine Grove Landfill charges $0.021 per pound of household garbage, which would come out to $0.64 for a 30 lb sink (Source).
Granite Bluff Inert Landfill is another landfill option, but only for grass clippings, leaves, non-contaminate soil, rocks, bricks, concrete without rebar, and cured asphalt.
As you can see, the cost varies greatly on where you live and where you would go to dispose of a sink. The average cost for the varying locations we have mentioned comes out to $10.71. All things considered, disposing of a kitchen sink is not very expensive, which makes things very convenient when the necessity appears.
Processing Sinks at the Landfill
We have thoroughly discussed the “where” to dispose of your kitchen sink, but we have yet to explore the “how” and “why” of the topic.
So, you’ve dropped off your kitchen sink at the transfer station. Then what happens? Well, the transfer station then loads up objects or materials of the same category and moves them to the landfill.
If you dropped off your sink directly at a landfill that step is skipped. Once at the landfill, the sink will be compacted into the earth and then time takes over. Over time, the sink will decompose and return to the elements (Source).
Why not just incinerate all of the bulky equipment that gets dropped off? Incineration produces pollution that has to go somewhere and, generally speaking, that “somewhere” is the air we breathe.
We already pollute the air through a variety of other means, so subtracting yet another possible pollutant is a win. The earth is allowed to reclaim its materials and our air stays slightly cleaner.
Donating or Selling a Kitchen Sink
Another great option for getting rid of your old kitchen sink is through donation centers or supplying it as scrap metal.
Habitat for Humanity
If you have not heard of this amazing, nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity helps families in more than 70 countries worldwide build safe and affordable homes. Donating your kitchen sink could mean one less thing this organization has to worry about finding for a needy family.
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries is another nonprofit organization that will take donations of old or used items in order to help those who need or even want cheaper options.
Selling Your Sink
There are many scrappers or renovators who would love an old sink! Do some research and find people around you who are looking for a used sink and find a price that works. That way, you can get something back by finding a new home for it rather than sending it to the landfill. Plus, the person you sell it to can further their projects, whatever they may be!
Repurpose
Disposing of your old sink is one thing, but there are so many things you could do to actually just repurpose your sink! If you’re doing home renovations, you can find a place in your home that could use a sink. People have installed sinks in their laundry rooms, in their outside gardens, and even on their patios!
Scrap Metal
There are a couple of different ways you can scrap your kitchen sink and make some money at the same time. Option one is finding a metal recycling center by you. They will pay you for your sink and scrap it to use in another way in the future.
Another way is you can find scrappers in your area and call them to sell your sink. They will either come and get it from you or set up a time and place to meet you and make the swap.
Goodbye Sink!
Whatever you decide is the best option for you, whether that be disposing of your sink at a landfill, through a recycling center, or repurposing it, I’m sure you’ll make the best decision knowing what you do now. Good luck!
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