How to Recycle Small Appliances

Small appliances are great, but finding a way to dispose of them when the usefulness has worn out can be difficult. Most states won't allow you to toss them in the trash, and you may need to get special permission to take them to the dump. If you have small appliances you don't need there are options like recycling that can be a much better option.

Choosing to recycle small appliances instead of throwing them away will serve many purposes. If the appliances still work you can give someone else an opportunity to use them. You'll also save space and keep potentially hazardous materials out of the landfills. Recycling appliances isn't difficult.

Find someone who can use the appliances if they still work. If you don't know anyone who needs it you can look online at different community based forums. Sites like Craigslist are always full of requests for appliances big and small. 

Consider donating the small appliance to a local charity store. Goodwill, Salvation Army and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore all accept donations of appliances. Even if they don't work they may be able to refurbish them and offer them to someone who is in need.

Look up information on the manufacturer. Many small appliance companies will take your old appliances back and refurbish them. Once they have been refurbished the company can sell them to others at a fraction of the cost. If the actual manufacturer won't accept it back, look for companies that specialize in refurbishing appliances. They may be able to take them off your hands.

Look for local halfway houses or other charitable shelters to donate the appliance. Church shelters, rehab centers, and halfway houses can always use small appliances and will greatly appreciate the donation.

Call your city's trash disposal office. A lot of cities will recycle appliances and other items. They may have a special procedure you have to follow. This helps to cut back on the amount of hazardous material in the landfills.