---
title: "Where do Fridges and freezers go? Bulky or special collection"
description: "A licensed handler has to remove the refrigerant first. Household waste centre or a council collection — never a scrap man with a van. Why that route, what goes wron"
url: https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/fridges/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Where do Fridges and freezers go?

**Where do Fridges and freezers go?: A licensed handler has to remove the refrigerant first. Household waste centre or a council collection — never a scrap man with a van.**

Bulky or special collection

Fridges contain refrigerant in the circuit and, in older units, blowing agent in the foam insulation, and both are potent greenhouse gases; the CFCs in pre-1990s appliances are also ozone-depleting. US federal law under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act makes it illegal to knowingly vent refrigerant, and equivalent rules apply across the EU and UK, so degassing must be done by a certified technician with recovery equipment. That is why fridges are handled separately from other white goods, why they must be kept upright, and why they cost more to process. Take it to a household waste centre, book a council collection, or let the shop delivering the new one take it.

## How to prepare it

1. Keep it upright in transit; tipping it moves oil into the compressor circuit.
2. Empty and defrost it, and take the door off or disable the latch.
3. Use the council, the retailer or a licensed waste carrier — check the carrier is registered.

## What not to do

- Never cut the pipework or let anyone "degas" it in your driveway — venting refrigerant is an offence and it is a significant greenhouse gas release.
- Never hand it to an unlicensed collector; it is fly-tipped and the trail leads back to you.

> Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.

## Other things that go to bulky or special collection

- [Mattresses](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/mattresses/) — Council bulky collection, a household waste centre, or a mattress recycler. Almost all of it is recoverable, and none of it belongs in a lay-by.
- [Needles, syringes and lancets](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/sharps/) — A rigid sharps bin, returned through the route your prescriber or council specifies. Never loose in any bin.
- [Large appliances (washing machines, cookers, dishwashers)](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/large-appliances/) — Household waste centre, a council bulky collection, or the retailer delivering the replacement.
- [Carpet and underlay](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/carpet/) — Household waste centre or a bulky collection. Cut into manageable rolls first.

## Common questions

### Where do Fridges and freezers go?

A licensed handler has to remove the refrigerant first. Household waste centre or a council collection — never a scrap man with a van.

### What happens if you put Fridges and freezers in the wrong bin?

Never cut the pipework or let anyone "degas" it in your driveway — venting refrigerant is an offence and it is a significant greenhouse gas release. Never hand it to an unlicensed collector; it is fly-tipped and the trail leads back to you.

## Related pages

- [Where do Mattresses go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/mattresses/)
- [Where do Needles, syringes and lancets go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/sharps/)
- [Where do Large appliances (washing machines, cookers, dishwashers) go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/large-appliances/)
- [Where do Carpet and underlay go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/carpet/)
- [Where do Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/batteries/)
- [Where do Lithium-ion batteries go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/lithium-batteries/)
- [Where do Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/vapes/)
- [Where do Medicines and tablets go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/medicines/)
- [Where do Pizza boxes go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/pizza-boxes/)
- [Where do Leftover wet paint go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/paint-wet/)

## Sources

- US Environmental Protection Agency — EPA (https://www.epa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]