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Appliance Removal & Recycling in Massachusetts: What You Need to Know

By Keith McDonald

Keith McDonald is the owner and founder of McDumpsters, a family-owned junk removal, demolition, and dumpster rental company in Billerica, MA. With 20+ years of experience in waste management and logistics across Middlesex County, Keith personally oversees every project and handles most customer calls himself.

Appliance Removal & Recycling in Massachusetts: What You Need to Know - McDumpsters

Replacing a refrigerator, washer, dryer, or dishwasher? Old appliances are heavy, awkward, and some contain refrigerants that require special handling under Massachusetts law. You cannot just drag a fridge to the curb in most towns. Here is everything Massachusetts homeowners need to know about appliance removal — what it costs, which appliances need special handling, and how to recycle responsibly in 2026.

How Much Does Appliance Removal Cost?

| Appliance | McDumpsters Price | Notes |

|-----------|-------------------|-------|

| Refrigerator/Freezer | $100 - $175 | Freon handling included |

| Washer | $75 - $125 | Standard removal |

| Dryer | $75 - $125 | Standard removal |

| Dishwasher | $75 - $100 | Must be disconnected |

| Oven/Range | $75 - $125 | Gas ranges must be disconnected first |

| AC Window Unit | $50 - $75 | Refrigerant handling included |

| Water Heater | $100 - $150 | Must be drained and disconnected |

Removing multiple appliances at once? We offer better rates on multi-item pickups. A kitchen full of old appliances (fridge, oven, dishwasher) is typically $200 - $350 total.

Which Appliances Require Special Handling?

Massachusetts law requires that appliances containing refrigerants (freon, R-410A, etc.) be handled by certified technicians before disposal. This includes:

  • Refrigerators and freezers
  • Air conditioning units (window and central)
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Some water coolers

McDumpsters handles refrigerant-containing appliances properly. The cost of freon handling is included in our removal price — no surprise charges.

Free Appliance Removal Options

  • Retailer haul-away: Many appliance retailers (Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy) offer free haul-away of old appliances when you purchase a new one
  • Scrap metal recyclers: Some scrap yards will pick up metal appliances for free if you have several
  • Utility rebate programs: Mass Save and some local utilities offer rebates for recycling old refrigerators and freezers

What Happens to Old Appliances?

Appliances are mostly metal and highly recyclable. At a proper recycling facility:

  • Steel and other metals are separated and recycled
  • Refrigerants are safely recovered
  • Plastic components are sorted
  • Hazardous materials are properly disposed of

When to Call a Professional

Call McDumpsters at (978) 375-2272 if you need same-day appliance removal anywhere in Middlesex County. We handle the heavy lifting, the freon, and the disposal — all included in one price. Serving Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, and all 13 towns in our service area.

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