So you have a dishwasher you want to recycle. While you might not be sure where to begin this article can help you start the process.
There are many scrap businesses and organizations that will recycle dishwashers. Dishwashers, like other large appliances, should be recycled for the metal that they are made of. These groups will take appliances and break them down into pieces that can be reused to make other items.
While it might seem daunting, it is quite easy to recycle dishwashers. Read ahead to learn more about the process and what you can do.
Who Recycles Dishwashers
There are a couple of ways that you can recycle your dishwasher. The way that you choose will most likely depend on the condition of your dishwasher. If your dishwasher is damaged or unusable it likely needs to be scrapped. Scrapping a dishwasher helps to keep it from filling space in a landfill or waste treatment facility. Scrapping also allows us to reuse material from the dishwasher in new items or appliances.
There are companies that are dedicated to scrapping appliances like dishwashers. Many of these companies are found in certain states. These states? They are states that bar large appliances from their landfills and require that all appliances including dishwashers are recycled. You will need to search and see if your state is one of these states. If it is there is a good chance you will find a plethora of companies ready to take your dishwasher off your hands.
If you are having trouble finding a company near you that accepts appliances you can use this tool. This tool, Recycler Finder, is a free website that can help you begin the recycling process. They have locations from all 50 states listed. Simply put in your zip code and what you are interested in (in this case appliances) and let it take away the hassle of searching.
How to recycle your dishwasher
Once you have a company in mind make sure to check some details with them. One of the first details should be what costs if any, you will be paying. Many companies will pay you in exchange for your dishwasher. Others might pick up the appliance from your home with a small cost taken out of the money they offer in exchange. Some companies will just charge you for using their services. If you can find a company that gives you the most money in exchange for your dishwater.
These companies are able to offer you money because they make money off of reusing the materials that make up the dishwasher. Materials like metals, especially steel, can essentially be reused and recycled forever. You may not get quite as much money for dishwashers since modern dishwashers mostly are made up of plastic now. You still can make some money off of the materials, and as a bonus, you can keep your dishwasher out of landfills.
If your dishwasher is still in working conditions that will give you additional options. Instead of having to find somewhere that will accept it for scrap you can sell a working dishwasher by yourself. Simple ways to do this yourself could be to put an ad in your local newspaper or list it online. Places online include things like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. The benefits of doing this are that you are able to set the price you are willing to sell for. Anyone who is interested will likely pick it up from you, saving you from having to load and drive it somewhere yourself.
If your dishwasher is still in good condition you can also donate it. As long as it works there is likely someone in your community that would be able to get years of use out of it. Large charities like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity have accepted donations of appliances in the past. There may also be local non-profits and housing charities near you that would be happy to take your donation. Before loading your dishwasher into your car and driving out, call ahead and make sure that they are accepting donations of this type.
If you are planning on buying a new dishwasher you may be able to get rid of your old dishwasher at the same time. Many businesses that sell and deliver appliances are willing to remove and ship old appliances at the time of delivery. This may cost you a fee but may be the most hassle-free option. Other companies like 1-800-Got-Junk? will pick up your dishwasher from your home for a fee. Both of these companies, the seller and the junk company, do their best to make sure your old appliance is scrapped and not left rotting in a landfill.
Other appliances you can recycle
Dishwashers aren’t the only type of appliance that you can recycle. In fact, most large household appliances can be recycled in similar ways to a dishwasher. The main way all large appliances are recycled is through scrapping. When looking for information from companies look for the term, “white goods”. This is an industry term for large household appliances like dishwashers, dryers, washers, etc. All appliances generally fall under this category and can be treated the same when scrapping. There are some general rules on how much an item is worth as scrap.
The most important thing is the amount of valuable material an appliance has. Metal is the easiest part to reuse with steel making up 75 percent of a normal appliance and being the most recycled material in the United States according to Earth911. The more steel an appliance has, the more it is worth as scrap. Washers and dryers have the most steel, but they are also heavier than most appliances making them more difficult to move and ship.
A lack of dangerous substances also improves the value of an appliance. Appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners that use coolant are more difficult to recycle. Their coolant, especially if they use Freon, requires someone with the correct training to remove and can be expensive to clean out. Other appliances that don’t use this coolant are easier to scrap and thus are worth more if you are trying to recycle them.
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