Microwave Recycling in New York City, NY
Microwaves are not e-waste in NYC: set them out at the curb with your recycling (free bulk collection). Goodwill NYNJ takes working countertop microwaves; SAFE events do not accept them.
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Not yet confirmed: we couldn’t check this detail against a current source.
- Goodwill NYNJ accepts countertop appliances such as toasters, blenders, microwaves and mixers; not non-countertop appliances or refrigerators. (Goodwill NYNJ Donation Guide (PDF) (opens in new tab))
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Remove the glass turntable; some operators can’t take the glass.
- Ask whether it’s priced as an appliance or as electronics.
New York rules
- Microwave ovens, like other household appliances, are not covered electronic equipment under New York's e-waste law. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste (opens in new tab)
- Household hazardous wastes are household materials that would be regulated as hazardous waste if generated elsewhere; household-generated HHW is exempt from state and federal hazardous waste rules. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
More New York rules (6)
- Residents can take HHW to authorized HHW collection facilities or HHW collection events hosted by counties and municipalities; DEC has a map and list of permitted facilities. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- If there is no permitted facility nearby, check with your municipality for periodic one- or two-day HHW collection events. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- The state Environmental Protection Fund can pay up to 50 percent of the cost of municipal HHW collection programs. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- General Municipal Law 120-aa required every municipality, by September 1, 1992, to adopt a local law requiring source separation of recyclables (paper, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste) where economic markets exist. Source: NY General Municipal Law 120-AA: Source separation and segregation of recyclable or reuseable materials (opens in new tab)
- DEC tells residents to check local guidance to see which items their program accepts. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling Resources (opens in new tab)
- DEC lists New York collection programs for items that belong outside the recycling bin: beverage containers, carpet, cell phones, e-waste, lead-acid vehicle batteries, mercury thermostats, paint, pharmaceuticals, plastic film, rechargeable batteries and tires. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling and Composting (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (18)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- DSNY: Large Items (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- NYC residents can get free curbside removal of large items. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Up to 6 large items may be set out at the curb per collection day. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY no longer offers or schedules bulk pickup appointments. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: Appliances (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- Large appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, ovens and ranges, washers and dryers, and water heaters follow the bulk item rules. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Appliances that are mostly metal or plastic go out with recycling; up to 6 large items per collection day. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: SAFE Disposal Events (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- SAFE events are for NYC residents only; no businesses or commercial vehicles. Proof of residency may be requested. Checked October 26, 2026.
- SAFE events do not accept plug-in appliances such as microwaves, or CFC appliances. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY: Electronics and E-Waste (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- Microwave ovens and refrigerators are not e-waste under the NYS e-waste acts. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Goodwill NYNJ: Donate Goods (opens in new tab) · Goodwill NYNJ
- Goodwill NYNJ says all of its stores accept donations of clothing, shoes, accessories, household goods and other items. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Goodwill NYNJ Donation Guide (PDF) (opens in new tab) · Goodwill NYNJ
- Goodwill NYNJ accepts countertop appliances such as toasters, blenders, microwaves and mixers; not non-countertop appliances or refrigerators. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
- NYSDEC: Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Microwave ovens, like other household appliances, are not covered electronic equipment under New York's e-waste law. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Household hazardous wastes are household materials that would be regulated as hazardous waste if generated elsewhere; household-generated HHW is exempt from state and federal hazardous waste rules. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents can take HHW to authorized HHW collection facilities or HHW collection events hosted by counties and municipalities; DEC has a map and list of permitted facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If there is no permitted facility nearby, check with your municipality for periodic one- or two-day HHW collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The state Environmental Protection Fund can pay up to 50 percent of the cost of municipal HHW collection programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NY General Municipal Law 120-AA: Source separation and segregation of recyclable or reuseable materials (opens in new tab) · New York State Senate (Open Legislation)
- General Municipal Law 120-aa required every municipality, by September 1, 1992, to adopt a local law requiring source separation of recyclables (paper, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste) where economic markets exist. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Recycling Resources (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- DEC tells residents to check local guidance to see which items their program accepts. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Recycling and Composting (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- DEC lists New York collection programs for items that belong outside the recycling bin: beverage containers, carpet, cell phones, e-waste, lead-acid vehicle batteries, mercury thermostats, paint, pharmaceuticals, plastic film, rechargeable batteries and tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.
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