Refrigerator Recycling in New York City, NY

Refrigerators and freezers need a free DSNY CFC/Freon removal appointment (call 311) before collection; tagged appliances are picked up on your next recycling day.

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Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

2 ways to get rid of a refrigerator in New York City

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · New York CityNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $140.00
How it works
Book online, set out your refrigerator and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.
Book a pickup →
DSNY CFC/Freon removal appointmentCity service · New York CityNew York City residentsFree
How it works
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, water coolers and other appliances containing CFC/Freon need a CFC Recovery appointment (call 311 or request online). DSNY staff remove the refrigerant at the curb for free and tag the appliance, which is collected on the next recycling day. Up to 10 appliances per appointment; appliances with R600a or R32 refrigerant cannot be collected.
Cost & rules
- Book a CFC Recovery appointment through 311 (not anonymous).
- Appliances with R600a or R32 refrigerant (yellow flame sticker) cannot be collected.
- Only tagged appliances are picked up, on your next recycling day.
- Before you go: Remove hinges and locks; put it at the curb, back facing the street, after 6 PM the night before.
Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

Refrigerant must be removed by a certified technician; ask whether the operator handles that and what it costs.
Empty and clean it, and ask whether doors must be removed or taped shut.
Check for utility appliance-recycling rebates before paying for disposal.

More about refrigerators and freezers

New York rules

Refrigerators and freezers are household appliances excluded from New York's e-waste law. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste (opens in new tab)
DEC's storm debris guidance: nonworking refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners need Freon or other refrigerant removed by a certified technician before recycling. Source: NYSDEC: Storm Debris Management Guidelines (opens in new tab)

More New York rules (8)

Refrigerant must be removed from refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners by a certified technician before they are recycled (DEC storm debris guidance). Source: NYSDEC: Storm Debris Management Guidelines (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)
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 (17)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

DSNY: CFC Removal (opens in new tab) · New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- An appointment is required to dispose of refrigerators, air conditioners, water coolers and other CFC appliances. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DSNY provides free curbside removal of appliances with CFC (Freon). Checked October 26, 2026.
- Businesses must hire private carters for CFC appliances. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Call 311 or submit an online service request; appointments cannot be made anonymously; up to 10 appliances per appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Remove hinges and locks from refrigerators and freezers and set the appliance at the curb, back facing the street, after 6 PM the night before the appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Appliances with R600a or R32 refrigerant cannot be collected; contact the manufacturer or a private carter. Checked October 26, 2026.
- After CFC removal the appliance is tagged and picked up on the next recycling day; only tagged appliances are collected. Checked October 26, 2026.
NYSDEC: Recycling Consumer Electronic Waste (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Refrigerators and freezers are household appliances excluded from New York's e-waste law. Checked October 26, 2026.
NYSDEC: Storm Debris Management Guidelines (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- DEC's storm debris guidance: nonworking refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners need Freon or other refrigerant removed by a certified technician before recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Refrigerant must be removed from refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners by a certified technician before they are recycled (DEC storm debris guidance). 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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