How to Get Rid of an Old Fridge in Snohomish County
A dead fridge is one of the worst things to deal with — it's heavy, it's awkward, and you can't just leave it at the curb. Here's what actually works.
First: the refrigerant rule
Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerant (Freon or a modern equivalent). Federal law requires it to be recovered by a certified technician before the unit is scrapped. That's why most curbside garbage services won't touch a fridge, and why a lot of transfer stations charge extra to accept one.
Your options
- 1. Snohomish County transfer station
Airport Road (Everett) and North County (Arlington) accept refrigerators for an extra "refrigerant appliance" fee on top of the standard tipping fee. You have to load it in and out of the truck yourself. Check current fees on the county website before you go.
- 2. Utility rebate program
Snohomish County PUD and Puget Sound Energy have run recycling incentives in the past — free pickup plus a small rebate for older working refrigerators. Programs come and go, so check with your utility before assuming.
- 3. Retailer haul-away
Buying a replacement? Most big-box appliance stores will haul away the old one for a small fee at delivery. Cheapest option if the timing lines up.
- 4. Call a junk removal crew (like BINWOLF)
No truck? No help lifting? No time for a transfer-station trip? A local crew comes to your driveway, disconnects the fridge, carries it out, and takes it to the right facility. You do nothing.
What NOT to do
- Don't leave it at the curb. Snohomish County garbage crews won't take it, and abandoned appliances can trigger a code violation.
- Don't dump it in the woods. Illegal dumping fines in Washington run into the thousands, and refrigerant leaks are an environmental hazard.
- Don't try to remove the refrigerant yourself. Puncturing a coolant line releases regulated substances and is illegal for non-certified people.
Doing it yourself checklist
- Unplug it 24 hours before moving so residual moisture drains.
- Empty it completely — food, shelves, drawers.
- Tape the doors shut so they don't swing open in the truck.
- Use an appliance dolly, not a hand truck — fridges are top-heavy.
- Bring two people. Every time.
Skip the trip.
BINWOLF picks up refrigerators anywhere in Snohomish County. Same-day when we can.