Item: Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, water heaters, small appliances Jurisdiction: Austin city limits / Travis County, Texas Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Austin residents have two routes for disposing of old appliances. Schedule on-demand bulk curbside pickup (up to 3 per year, doors removed, separate piles) — or drop off at the Recycle and Reuse Center (2514 Business Center Drive, appointment required, free for Austin/Travis County residents). Small non-HHW appliances like toasters and microwaves may go in regular trash.
Refrigerators and freezers containing refrigerant may have special rules — this detail is not confirmed in available Austin sources. Read the refrigerant section below and call 512-974-4335 or 311 to verify specific requirements before scheduling.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact | Austin Resource Recovery — 512-974-4335 or 311 |
| Official source hub | Austin Resource Recovery |
| On-demand bulk curbside pickup | Up to 3 collections per household per year |
| Drop-off | Recycle and Reuse Center at 2514 Business Center Drive — appointment required |
| Cost | Free for Austin and Travis County residents. Non-residents: fee applies (amount UNKNOWN) |
| Accepted | Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, water heaters (doors removed) |
| Not accepted in bulk | Construction debris, hazardous materials, mirrors, sheet glass, tile |
| Appointment required | Yes, for Recycle and Reuse Center drop-off |
| Proof of residency | Likely required — confirm when scheduling |
| Business waste | Not eligible for residential bulk pickup. Items not collected from in front of businesses |
| Jurisdiction | This guide applies inside Austin city limits and Travis County residents |
Can Austin Pick Up Appliances Curbside?
Yes — Austin Resource Recovery offers on-demand bulk curbside collection for residential customers. Here is how it works:
- Frequency: Up to 3 on-demand bulk collections per household per year
- Accepted items: Appliances with doors removed (fridges, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, water heaters), metal items, rigid plastics
- Preparation: Doors must be removed. Separate into three piles — metal/rigid plastics pile (appliances go here), non-metal pile, tires pile
- Placement: At the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your appointment date. Keep items 5 feet away from garbage carts, recycling carts, mailboxes, parked cars, and other obstructions
- NOT collected in: Alleys, in front of vacant lots, or in front of businesses
- Scheduling: Use the Austin Recycles app or call 512-974-4335
What NOT to put out:
- Construction and demolition debris
- Hazardous materials
- Mirrors and sheet glass
- Tile and concrete
Bag rule: Do not put items in bags, boxes, or containers. Bags are treated as extra trash and may incur additional fees.
Important: This service is for residential curbside customers and certain Limited Districts only. Apartments and commercial properties may be excluded.
Drop-Off and Appointment Choices
Recycle and Reuse Center (Self-Haul)
The city-run drop-off facility at 2514 Business Center Drive accepts appliances for recycling. Appointment required — schedule through the Austin Recycles app or by calling 512-974-4335.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin |
| Appointment | Required — use Austin Recycles app or call |
| Free for | Austin and Travis County residents |
| Non-resident | Fee applies (amount UNKNOWN) |
| Accepted | All appliances listed above, plus electronics, metals, rigid plastics |
| Doors | Must be removed before drop-off |
Unknowns to verify when scheduling:
- Current operating hours (not available on retrieved source pages)
- Exact non-resident fee amount
- Whether all appliance types are accepted (especially water heaters, which may have different rules)
- Per-item size or weight limits
Retailer Haul-Away
Many appliance retailers offer haul-away services when you purchase a new appliance:
- Delivery + haul-away: Often included or available for a fee ($20–$50 per item typically, but confirm with the specific retailer)
- No-purchase drop-off: Some retailers accept old appliances for recycling without a new purchase — call the specific Austin store to check
- Refrigerant: Retailer haul-away typically includes refrigerant removal, but confirm this before scheduling
Refrigerators and Freezers — Refrigerant Rules
This is a critical area where information is not confirmed in available Austin sources.
Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners contain refrigerants (CFCs/HFCs) that must be properly removed before disposal under federal EPA regulations. Whether Austin requires a certified technician to remove refrigerant before bulk pickup or drop-off is not stated on the source pages retrieved.
What you must ask when calling 512-974-4335 or 311:
- "Do I need a certified technician to remove refrigerant before bulk pickup?"
- "Does the Recycle and Reuse Center accept appliances with refrigerant still in them?"
- "If refrigerant removal is required, do I need to provide proof of certification?"
- "Is there a separate process or fee for appliances containing refrigerant?"
Do not assume the city handles refrigerant removal — hauling a refrigerator with intact refrigerant to a facility that does not accept it means a wasted trip and a return load. Confirm before you schedule.
Small Appliances vs. Large Bulky Items
Not every appliance needs the bulk route. The distinction matters:
| Appliance Type | Examples | Disposal Route |
|---|---|---|
| Small non-HHW | Toasters, blenders, coffee makers, electric kettles, microwaves (no hazardous components) | Regular trash or recycling (metal/plastic) |
| Large appliances | Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, water heaters | On-demand bulk pickup or Recycle and Reuse Center |
| Electronics | TVs, computers, monitors | Recycle and Reuse Center (not bulk pickup for electronics with screens) |
| Microwaves (older) | Some older microwaves may contain hazardous components | Check with Austin Resource Recovery — may need HHW route |
When in doubt, call 512-974-4335 and describe the specific appliance.
Business and Bulk Quantity Rules
City bulk collection programs serve residential curbside customers only.
- No collection from businesses: Items will not be collected from in front of a business
- Commercial properties: Property managers must arrange for private hauling or licensed disposal
- Contractors: Renovation debris including old appliances from commercial work must go through a licensed waste transporter
- Apartment complexes with bulk furniture/appliances: Coordinate with your property manager — the on-demand bulk program may not cover multi-unit properties
Fallback for businesses and contractors: Search for "Austin appliance recycling" or "Austin commercial waste disposal." The TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) solid waste program may have resources.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
If you live in an apartment or condo:
- On-demand bulk pickup may not be available if your complex uses a private waste hauler
- The bulk program serves "residential customers and homes in certain Limited Districts" — apartments may not qualify
- However, you can visit the Recycle and Reuse Center as an individual resident
What to do:
- Ask your property manager: "Does our complex offer bulk item pickup, or can I schedule a separate collection?"
- If no complex-level solution exists, schedule an appointment at the Recycle and Reuse Center
- You will need a vehicle large enough to transport the appliance. If you do not have one, consider a truck rental, neighbour with a truck, or retailer haul-away with a new purchase
- Bring proof of residency — driver's license, utility bill, or lease
How to Prepare Appliances for Disposal
For curbside bulk pickup:
- Remove doors from all appliances — refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers
- Separate into three piles at the curb:
- Pile 1: Metal items and rigid plastics (appliances with doors removed go here)
- Pile 2: Non-metal items
- Pile 3: Tires (if you have any)
- Place at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your scheduled appointment date
- Keep 5 feet away from carts, mailboxes, cars, and other obstructions
- Do NOT bag items — bags are treated as extra trash and may result in additional fees
- Do NOT block fire hydrants, driveways, or sidewalks
For drop-off at Recycle and Reuse Center:
- Remove doors before loading (same requirement)
- Secure the appliance in your vehicle — fridges and washers are heavy and can shift during transport
- Bring proof of residency — driver's license or utility bill with your Austin address
- Arrive during your appointment window — confirm hours when you book
- If transporting a refrigerator or freezer, tape the doors shut and keep it upright to avoid oil leakage
Potential Fees and Costs
| Route | Fee for Residents | Fee for Non-Residents |
|---|---|---|
| On-demand bulk curbside pickup | No specific per-item fee mentioned — likely included with service | N/A (residents only) |
| Recycle and Reuse Center drop-off | Free for Austin/Travis County residents | Fee applies — amount UNKNOWN |
| Extra bags at curb | May incur additional fees | Same |
| Retailer haul-away | Varies — ask specific store | Varies |
What you should ask when scheduling:
- "Is there a fee for bulk appliance pickup from my address?"
- "What is the non-resident fee at the Recycle and Reuse Center?"
- "Are there any charges for appliances containing refrigerant?"
Official Verification Checklist
Use this when you call 512-974-4335 or schedule through the Austin Recycles app. Tick each item as you confirm it.
- Call Austin Resource Recovery — 512-974-4335 or 311
- Confirm bulk pickup eligibility for your specific address (especially if apartment or Limited District)
- Confirm refrigerant removal requirements for fridges/freezers — critical unknown
- Schedule on-demand bulk pickup or book appointment at Recycle and Reuse Center
- Confirm door removal is required for your specific appliance type
- Confirm size/weight limits — especially for large items like water heaters or commercial-grade appliances
- Ask about fees — per-collection, per-item, or non-resident if applicable
- Confirm operating hours for the Recycle and Reuse Center
- Confirm proof of residency — what documents are accepted
- Verify whether the Recycle and Reuse Center accepts your specific appliance type
- Ask about retailer haul-away options if the city route is inconvenient
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a small microwave in my regular trash? Most standard microwaves can go in regular trash. If the microwave has electronic components that could be hazardous, check with Austin Resource Recovery. For older microwaves, the Recycle and Reuse Center is the safer route.
Does Austin require proof of refrigerant removal? This is not confirmed in available source pages. Ask Austin Resource Recovery about refrigerant rules when you schedule pickup. Federal EPA regulations require proper refrigerant recovery, but the city's specific enforcement is unknown.
How many appliances can I put out for bulk pickup? There is no stated per-item limit for bulk collections beyond the 3-per-year frequency. If you have multiple large appliances, call and explain the quantity to confirm they will all be collected.
Does the Recycle and Reuse Center accept water heaters? Water heaters are typically accepted, but the source pages do not specify. Call to confirm — gas water heaters may have additional requirements.
Can I put appliances in the alley for collection? No. The bulk program explicitly states items are NOT collected from alleys. Place them at the street curb by 5:30 a.m. on your appointment date.
What if I need to dispose of an appliance from a rental property I manage? Property managers should call 512-974-4335 to discuss options. Residential bulk pickup may not cover rental properties. You may need a private hauler or licensed transporter.
Sources
- Austin Resource Recovery — City of Austin — Official municipal hub for all waste and recycling services
- On-demand Bulk Collection Program — Official program page with bulk pickup rules, accepted items, and limits
- Recycle and Reuse Center — Official facility page with accepted items and appointment information
- Austin Resource Recovery — 512-974-4335 — Primary contact for scheduling, fees, and eligibility questions
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Facility policies, fees, hours, and pickup rules change. Always call 512-974-4335 or check the Austin Recycles app to verify current requirements before hauling appliances for disposal.