Fridge disposal and freezer collection

Why are fridges handled separately?

Fridges, freezers and air con units are handled separately because they contain refrigerant gases, and the foam insulation in older models can hold similar gases. If a unit is crushed or broken open with general scrap, those gases escape into the air. That's why fridges and freezers go through a separate treatment process instead of being treated as ordinary metal, and why there's a set charge for each unit.

The same treatment capacity is under pressure nationally. Dartford Borough Council's bulky collection (external site) currently won't take fridges or freezers, citing "a national lack of availability at treatment plants". If you're in Dartford and need one gone, our Dartford page covers what else the council can and can't collect.

What's the difference between a domestic and a commercial fridge?

A domestic fridge is anything from a kitchen or utility room, such as an under-counter fridge, a tall fridge freezer or a small wine cooler, and it's £60 plus VAT, the same as an upright freezer. A chest freezer in the garage is £90 plus VAT, an American fridge freezer is £90 plus VAT, and a portable or wall-mounted air con unit is £30 plus VAT.

Commercial fridges are the larger units used by shops, pubs, cafés and kitchens, such as glass-fronted display chillers, bottle coolers and catering fridges. Each one is £90 plus VAT on top of the load. If you're not sure which rate applies, send a photo and we'll tell you. Businesses can pay by card, bank transfer or company cheque, or ask for an invoice, and commercial accounts are available, subject to credit checks.

Will the councils near you collect a fridge?

Some councils near you collect fridges and some don't, and the bulky services in Lewisham and Bromley only collect from outside.

• Dartford: the council's bulky collection currently excludes fridges and freezers.
• Lewisham: the bulky collection (external site) charges £25 for a fridge or freezer, won't collect American-style or double-door models, and only collects from outside.
• Bromley: the bulky collection (external site) starts at £43, priced by the number and type of items, and collects from the front of the property within 10 working days of payment.

Our fridge disposal and freezer collection covers Bromley, Chislehurst, Dartford and Lewisham, and we can take other furniture and rubbish in the same load.

How do I get a fridge ready to go?

To get a fridge ready, switch it off and empty it a day before the collection, so it has time to defrost and you can wipe out the water. Take out any loose glass shelves, or tape the door shut, so nothing slides about while it's moved.

You don't need to be home if the fridge is somewhere we can reach, such as a front garden, a driveway or a porch with a key safe, and you've told us where it is. You pay on completion by card, cash or bank transfer, and you'll get a waste transfer note and a receipt. We're an upper tier registered waste carrier, broker and dealer, number CBDU175566, on the Environment Agency register (external site). If the fridge is going with a washing machine, a cooker or other appliances, our white goods collection page explains how mixed appliance loads are priced.