An old refrigerator can't just go to the curb or the landfill, because Texas bans disposing of CFC appliances in municipal landfills. In Collin County, most cities want a technician's tag proving the refrigerant was removed, while Frisco and Plano run paid pickups instead. An appliance removal service can unhook it, carry it out and take it for recycling.
Why is a fridge different from other junk?
It's the refrigerant. TCEQ's special waste page lists refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and other CFC items as prohibited from disposal in any municipal landfill.
TCEQ says they must be handled under a federal refrigerant rule, 40 CFR Part 82. That's why cities ask for a tag or paperwork before they'll touch a cooling appliance.
So the question isn't just how to move it. It's who handles the refrigerant, and what proof your city wants.
What does each city require?
Most cities take fridges only with a refrigerant tag, and a couple route them to paid pickups. These rules come from each city's own page.
- Allen: Allen's bulk item page requires refrigerators, freezers and AC units set out for bulk to have a refrigerant-removal tag.
- Frisco: Frisco's bulk trash page excludes refrigerators. Frisco offers a scheduled curbside metal and appliance pickup for a one-time $15 fee instead.
- Plano: Plano's bulky waste page requires Freon items like fridges, freezers and window AC units to go as a Special Paid Collection. Plano's special collection page adds a $25 environmental fee for them.
- Prosper: Prosper's trash and recycling page requires any appliance that had refrigerant to carry a certified technician's tag showing it was removed.
- Melissa: Melissa's bulk items page accepts refrigerators and freezers only if tagged to certify refrigerant removal.
- Anna: Anna's bulk set-out guidelines say the hauler won't collect fridges, freezers or AC units without proof of freon evacuation. It has to be submitted and verified before the collection date.
- Howe: Howe's utilities page excludes Freon items without an HVAC certificate from bulk collection.
How does Frisco's appliance pickup work?
Frisco handles fridges through its metal pickup, which runs on Thursdays. Frisco's household chemical disposal page says it must be scheduled before noon the day before.
- Frisco's metal pickup form charges $40 for each item containing refrigerant. It's waived if the item has been certified refrigerant-free.
- Frisco assumes fridges, freezers and wine coolers contain refrigerant unless a technician removed it and attached documentation.
- Fridges and freezers must be empty and sealed shut with tape.
- Residents with a current water bill and matching ID can also drop metal off at the Environmental Collection Center for no fee. Any Freon item dropped there carries a $40 charge on the next utility bill.
Where can you drop off an old fridge?
If you have a truck and a helper, a few sites take refrigerant appliances. Check that you qualify before you load it.
- Allen residents: Allen's do-it-yourself disposal page lists the Parkway Transfer Station as accepting household appliances, including those with Freon.
- Plano residents: Plano's do-it-yourself disposal page says metal appliances are accepted for recycling at all NTMWD facilities except Custer Road.
- Melissa residents: Melissa's landfill page says the free resident drop-off accepts refrigerators, air conditioners and other metal appliances.
- Prosper residents: the Annual Spring Cleanup takes fridges and freezers tagged for refrigerant removal, with a utility bill and driver's license.
- Celina residents: Celina's Clean Sweep takes appliances but not refrigerators or freezers.
- Sherman residents: the Citizens' Trash Drop-Off Station charges $5 per appliance.
How do you get a fridge ready to go?
Whichever route you pick, the prep is the same. Start a day ahead.
- Empty it completely and toss the food. Pull loose shelves and drawers so nothing slides around.
- Unplug it the day before and let the freezer defrost, with towels down to catch the water.
- If it has an ice maker or water dispenser, shut off the supply valve before you disconnect the line.
- Tape or strap the doors shut before it moves. Keep them secured if it sits outside even for a day.
- Measure doorways on the way out. Taking the doors off the fridge often gets it through a tight spot.
Can you haul it yourself?
You can, but a fridge is heavy, tall and top-heavy. Use an appliance dolly and strap it on.
Keep it as upright as you can on the dolly and in the truck. Tie it down so it can't tip on a turn.
Cover the load, too. Allen and Frisco both require loads headed to disposal facilities to be covered.
What should you watch for?
A little care keeps the refrigerant contained and the move safe. Our guide to old appliance disposal covers washers, dryers and water heaters.
- Don't cut or puncture the coolant lines on the back to make it lighter.
- Don't leave a fridge outside with the doors on and unsecured, especially where kids play.
- Check the floor under it before you slide it. Old fridges can leak water that has softened flooring.
- Garage fridges and chest freezers count too. They follow the same refrigerant rules.
When is hiring it out the easier call?
Hire it out when the fridge is behind a tight kitchen turn, buried in the garage, or one of several appliances going. It also helps when your city wants a tag you don't have.
Our appliance removal service unhooks standard plug-in and water-line connections and walks it out. Anything hard-plumbed into gas needs a plumber to disconnect it first.
Appliances are mostly metal, so we pull them for recycling. One fridge usually fits our Minimum Pickup, starting at $189, with a firm quote before we load.