Published 07-16-21
Submitted by Republic Services
Toasters, microwaves, blenders, and other small appliances are investments that should last you a while. However, if you’ve been holding on to decades-old appliances, eventually you will need to replace them. When the time comes to upgrade – or to downsize the number of gadgets in your kitchen – it is important to know what to do with your old items.
Some small appliances, like air conditioning units, contain hazardous cooling components that can destroy the ozone layer and are harmful to humans, while others like microwaves can contain precious resources like gold and copper. So, it is always best to do your research before trying to dispose of these yourself.
Most small appliances contain valuable and reusable materials, so don’t toss them out with your trash! While many components of your small appliances can be recycled, you can’t put them in your curbside recycling bin. You may be a fan of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects in your kitchen, but you can’t DIY your appliance recycling. These items need to be treated with special care to ensure they’re safely and effectively recycled.
See below for a handy guide to recycling small appliances:
When in doubt, contact your local recycling company and ask about bulk pick-up or specialty mail-back programs! To learn more about recycling small appliances, visit RecyclingSimplified.com.
Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the U.S. environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides superior service offerings while partnering with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, visit RepublicServices.com, or follow us at Facebook.com/RepublicServices, @RepublicService on Twitter or Republic Services on LinkedIn.
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