Last updated April 2026
EPA-compliant refrigerator disposal for Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade residents in 2026.
Quick Answer
Refrigerator disposal in South Florida requires EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery before the unit can be scrapped or landfilled. Professional removal by Umuve starts at $89 and includes all refrigerant handling and certified recycling. FPL and other utilities offer appliance rebates of $25-$50 for qualifying units. Free municipal pickup takes 5-14 days.
The fastest option — starting at $89 – $249.
Umuve handles the full refrigerator removal process — disconnection from water line and power, safe removal from your kitchen without floor or cabinet damage, transport to an EPA-certified recycling facility where refrigerants are properly recovered per Clean Air Act Section 608, and full materials recycling. No extra charges for refrigerant handling. Steel, copper, aluminum, and plastics are all separated for recovery.
Also see: Refrigerator Disposal service page — Available in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Coral Springs
Free for South Florida residents — but requires advance scheduling.
Palm Beach County SWA accepts refrigerators as bulk pickup items. Schedule at pbcswa.com. Important: the SWA requires refrigerant to be removed by a certified technician BEFORE placing the unit curbside. A licensed HVAC tech charges $50-$150 for this. Without certification, the unit may not be collected.
Broward County cities accept refrigerators curbside with advance scheduling. However, most require proof that refrigerant has been evacuated or the unit must be tagged by the homeowner certifying it has been emptied. Contact your city solid waste department for specifics.
Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management accepts refrigerators at their household hazardous waste drop-off events (free, held monthly). For curbside pickup, the unit must have its doors removed per federal law to prevent child entrapment hazards. Call 305-514-6830 to schedule.
Working refrigerators under 10 years old can often be donated. Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Broward and Palm Beach counties accept working refrigerators. The Salvation Army in Miami-Dade picks up working appliances. Check if your utility company — FPL, TECO, or Florida City Gas — has an appliance rebate program. FPL's Energy Efficiency program offers $25-$50 for qualifying refrigerators and freezers through their appliance recycling program. Call 800-226-3545 to schedule an FPL pickup.
DIY disposal requires you to first have refrigerant evacuated by a licensed EPA Section 608 technician — illegal to release Freon into the atmosphere, with fines up to $44,539 per day. Once evacuated, you can haul the unit to a metal scrap yard (they pay $5-$20 per refrigerator), a county transfer station, or schedule free utility recycling. Renting an appliance dolly ($15-$25) is essential — modern refrigerators weigh 180-350 lbs. A friend is also necessary; never attempt to move a refrigerator solo.
Compare all options side by side.
| Option | Cost | Timeline | Your Effort | Eco Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umuve Professional Pickup | $89 – $249 | Same day | Zero | 95% recycled |
| FPL Appliance Recycling | Free + $25-$50 rebate | 1–2 weeks | Minimal | Good |
| County Curbside (after Freon removal) | $50–$150 for tech + free pickup | 1–3 weeks | Medium | Partial recycling |
| Scrap Metal Yard | Free (may pay $5–$20) | Same day if you haul | High | Good for metals |
Refrigerators contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — ozone-depleting and greenhouse gases 1,000-3,000 times more potent than CO2. A single refrigerator contains enough refrigerant to damage the ozone layer if released. Proper recovery and destruction is mandatory. Beyond refrigerant, a full-size refrigerator contains 100-150 lbs of recyclable steel, 10-20 lbs of aluminum, 3-5 lbs of copper wiring, and 15-30 lbs of recyclable plastics. When you book with Umuve, 95% of these materials are recovered and recycled.
Intentionally venting refrigerants violates the Clean Air Act. EPA fines start at $44,539 per violation per day. Never cut refrigerant lines yourself.
Federal law requires refrigerator doors to be removed before disposal to prevent child entrapment. Miami-Dade County enforces this strictly and will not collect units with doors attached unless a special tag is affixed.
FPL's rebate program has age and condition requirements. Units over 15 years old may still qualify for recycling but not the cash rebate. Verify before scheduling.
Refrigerators are top-heavy and weigh 180-350 lbs. Attempting to move one solo on tile or hardwood floors typically results in floor damage, cabinet dents, or personal injury. Use an appliance dolly and a second person.
You cannot legally throw a refrigerator in the regular trash. Refrigerants must be properly recovered by an EPA-certified technician before disposal. All three South Florida counties have regulations requiring proper appliance disposal.
Yes, in many cases. FPL's appliance recycling program offers $25-$50 for qualifying refrigerators and freezers. Call 800-226-3545. The unit must be operational and within their service territory.
Professional removal by Umuve starts at $89 and includes all labor, hauling, and certified recycling. Adding a second unit reduces per-unit cost. DIY approaches cost $50-$150 after mandatory refrigerant evacuation fees.
Yes. Our crews are trained to disconnect standard water line connections. If your refrigerator has a complex built-in water filtration system or unusual plumbing, we recommend having a plumber disconnect it before booking, though standard ice maker lines are no problem.
At EPA-certified facilities, refrigerators achieve 95%+ recycling rates. Steel and aluminum are the primary recovered materials. Compressor oil, refrigerant, and insulating foam are also recovered. Only small amounts of mixed plastics and seals go to landfill.
Most refrigerator removals take 20-30 minutes from arrival. We disconnect, remove, and load. You get a 2-hour arrival window and real-time tracking.
Umuve serves all of South Florida with same-day pickup starting at $89. Licensed, insured, and 92% recycled or donated. No hidden fees.
SMS: (844) 435-6005 • Palm Beach, Broward & Miami-Dade