Item: Large appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, air conditioners) Jurisdiction: Seattle city limits, Washington (SPU service area) Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Seattle residents have two main routes for appliance disposal. (1) SPU bulky item pickup — schedule by phone at (206) 684-3000 or online. $30 per large appliance, $38 for refrigerators and freezers with CFCs (refrigerant surcharge). Items are collected on your next regular garbage collection day. (2) Self-haul to a Seattle transfer station — South Transfer Station (130 S Kenyon St) charges $32 per appliance (limit 2 per load), or $9 per appliance plus tonnage when mixed with other waste. If you are enrolled in the Utility Discount Program, you get up to 2 free pickups per year — call to schedule.
Not sure if refrigerant removal certification is required? Available sources do not confirm Seattle's specific requirement. Ask SPU at (206) 684-3000 when scheduling.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact | SPU Customer Service: (206) 684-3000 / seattle.gov/utilities |
| Curbside pickup | Yes — SPU bulky item pickup, collected on garbage day |
| Self-haul | South Transfer Station: 130 S Kenyon St, 8am-5:30pm daily |
| Pickup fee | $30 per large appliance, $38 for refrigerators/freezers (CFC surcharge) |
| Transfer station fee | $32 per appliance (limit 2/load) or $9 + tonnage when mixed |
| Utility Discount Program | Up to 2 free pickups per year — schedule by phone |
| Refrigerant removal | Requirements UNKNOWN — verify with SPU |
| Size limits | Up to 300 lb, 8 ft long or 4 ft diameter |
| Business waste | Not eligible for SPU residential pickup |
Note: Seattle.gov pages were CloudFront-blocked during direct verification. Fee data below is sourced from third-party references to official rates. Call SPU at (206) 684-3000 to confirm.
Can Seattle Pick Up Appliances Curbside?
Yes. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) offers special item / bulky collection for large appliances.
How it works
- Schedule online through the SPU website or call (206) 684-3000.
- Fee: $30 per large appliance, $38 for refrigerators and freezers (CFC refrigerant surcharge).
- Collection day: Items are picked up on your next regular garbage collection day.
- Set-out time: Place items at your normal collection location by 7 a.m. on the scheduled day.
- Location: Items must be on a flat, accessible surface. No stairs, locked areas, or inside garages.
Accepted appliances
- Stoves and ovens
- Dishwashers
- Clothes washers and dryers
- Trash compactors
- Air conditioners (window units)
- Refrigerators and freezers (with CFC surcharge)
Size and weight limits
- Maximum weight: 300 lb per item.
- Maximum dimensions: 8 ft long or 4 ft in diameter.
What is NOT accepted through SPU pickup
- Household hazardous waste (oil-based paint, solvents, pesticides)
- Construction and demolition debris
- Dirt, rocks, or concrete
- Medical waste
- Items exceeding size/weight limits
Who is eligible
SPU special item pickup is for residential customers with an SPU utility account. The utility bill must be in your name. No collection on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day.
Refrigerators and Freezers — Refrigerant Rules
Refrigerators and freezers contain CFC refrigerants that must be handled properly. Seattle charges a $38 surcharge for these items — $8 more than the $30 standard appliance fee.
What is not confirmed: Whether Seattle requires certified refrigerant removal certification before pickup or drop-off. Some jurisdictions require a signed form from a certified technician. The available sources do not specify Seattle's requirement.
What you should do:
- Call SPU at (206) 684-3000 when scheduling and ask: "Do you require certified refrigerant removal, or does SPU handle that? Do I need to sign any paperwork?"
- If drop-off at a transfer station, ask the same question.
- Do not attempt to remove refrigerant yourself — this is regulated work requiring EPA certification.
Self-Haul to Seattle Transfer Stations
South Transfer Station
The primary drop-off location for appliances is the South Transfer Station.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 130 S Kenyon St, Seattle |
| Hours | 8am-5:30pm daily (10am-5:30pm on first Wednesday of month) |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, July 4 |
| Payment | Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard |
Appliance fees at transfer station
| Scenario | Fee |
|---|---|
| Appliance dropped off on its own (limit 2 per load) | $32 per appliance |
| Appliance mixed with other waste in the same load | $9 per appliance + tonnage rate |
| General garbage minimum | $35 per trip (up to 420 lb) |
| Tonnage rate | $165 per ton |
North Transfer Station
North Transfer Station also accepts appliances — location and hours not confirmed in available sources. Check seattle.gov/utilities or call SPU at (206) 684-3000.
SPU Pickup vs. Transfer Station — Which Is Better?
| Factor | SPU Curbside Pickup | Transfer Station Drop-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | No driving, no hauling | Must load and transport |
| Cost | $30-$38 per item | $32 per appliance |
| Multiple items | $30-$38 each | $32 each (limit 2/load) or $9 + tonnage mixed |
| Timing | Scheduled — collected on garbage day | Immediate — go when open |
| Utility Discount | Up to 2 free pickups/year (by phone) | No discount |
| Vehicle needed | No | Yes |
| Best for... | Single appliance, no truck, convenience | Same-day disposal, multiple items, mixing with other waste |
Utility Discount Program — Best Value
If you are enrolled in SPU's Utility Discount Program, you get up to 2 free bulky item pickups per year. This is the most cost-effective option if you qualify.
- Must schedule by phone at (206) 684-3000.
- Income-qualified customers are eligible.
- Covers the pickup fee — confirm that appliance disposal is included.
Business and Bulk Quantity Rules
SPU special item collection is for residential customers with an individual utility account.
- Commercial properties, apartment buildings, and businesses are not eligible for residential pickup.
- Property managers with multiple appliances should self-haul to the transfer station or use a licensed hauler.
- King County explicitly states that major appliances cannot go in regular garbage. They must be recycled at designated locations.
Apartment and Renter Edge Cases
If you rent, your appliance disposal options depend on whether you have your own SPU account.
You have an individual SPU account
You can schedule SPU bulky item pickup directly. Place items at your normal collection location by 7 a.m. on collection day.
Your utility bill is in the landlord's name
You may not qualify for SPU pickup. Options:
- Coordinate with your property manager — ask them to schedule pickup or give permission for you to use the building's collection location.
- Self-haul to the South Transfer Station — you can drop off appliances regardless of whose name the utility bill is in.
- Utility Discount Program — open to income-qualified customers regardless of housing type. If you qualify, you can get free pickups.
King County residents outside Seattle
Residents outside Seattle city limits can use King County transfer stations — call 206-477-4466 for pricing and locations.
How to Prepare Appliances for Disposal
For SPU Curbside Pickup
- Place at normal collection location by 7 a.m. on scheduled day.
- Ensure access — items must be reachable without going up stairs or entering locked areas.
- Remove doors from refrigerators/freezers — common safety practice for child safety. Verify with SPU whether this is required.
- Drain water from washing machines and dishwashers before set-out.
- Secure cords — tape power cords to the appliance so they do not trail.
- Do not block sidewalks, driveways, or storm drains.
For Transfer Station Drop-Off
- Secure the load — use tie-down straps. Unsecured loads may incur a $5-$10 surcharge.
- Separate appliances from other waste if possible — the $9 + tonnage mixed rate may be cheaper for multiple items.
- Drain fluids — water from washing machines, oil from equipment.
- Remove refrigerator doors if required — verify with the transfer station.
- Bring payment — cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard.
What to bring
- Photo ID.
- Payment method (transfer station).
- Appointment confirmation (if scheduling SPU pickup).
Potential Fees and Costs
| Route | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SPU bulky pickup — standard appliance | $30 per item | Confirmed. |
| SPU bulky pickup — refrigerator/freezer | $38 per item | Includes CFC surcharge. |
| Utility Discount Program | Free (up to 2/year) | Schedule by phone at (206) 684-3000. |
| South Transfer Station — appliance alone | $32 per appliance | Limit 2 per load. |
| South Transfer Station — mixed with other waste | $9/appliance + tonnage rate | May be cheaper for multiple items. |
| Transfer station minimum garbage fee | $35/trip (up to 420 lb) | Applies if the appliance is small. |
| Unsecured load | $5-$10 surcharge | Use tie-down straps. |
Official Verification Checklist
Use this when scheduling SPU pickup or planning a transfer station trip. Tick each item as you confirm it.
- Choose pickup or drop-off — SPU curbside pickup vs. South Transfer Station.
- Schedule SPU pickup — call (206) 684-3000 or do it online.
- Confirm fee — $30 standard or $38 for refrigerators/freezers.
- Check Utility Discount eligibility — up to 2 free pickups if enrolled.
- Ask about refrigerant requirements — does SPU require certified removal or do they handle it?
- Confirm door removal rules — are doors required to be removed?
- Verify set-out location — flat, accessible surface by 7 a.m.
- If transfer station: confirm hours — South Transfer Station open 8am-5:30pm daily.
- Secure your load — tie-down straps for transport.
- Check King County rules — appliances cannot go in regular garbage.
Sources
- Seattle SPU Special Item Collections — Official city page (CloudFront-blocked during verification).
- Seattle Transfer Station Rates — Official rates page (CloudFront-blocked during verification).
- King County Appliance Disposal — Official county page confirming appliances cannot go in regular garbage.
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Seattle.gov pages were CloudFront-blocked during direct verification — fee data is sourced from third-party references to official SPU rates. Always call SPU at (206) 684-3000 to confirm current fees, refrigerant requirements, and preparation rules before disposing of appliances.