Home › Appliance disposal
Appliance Disposal in Texas: Fridges, Washers and More
How to get rid of an old fridge, freezer, washer, dryer or range in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Laredo, Plano, plus the state and federal rules. Every rule comes from the official page linked next to it, checked October 31, 2026 or November 1, 2026.
Cities at a glance
| City | Fridge or freezer rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Only with heavy trash, and only if a certified technician's tag shows the refrigerant has been removed. | City of Houston Solid Waste Management: Heavy Trash; City of Houston Solid Waste Management: Residential Drop-Off Centers; U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608) |
| San Antonio | The City lists large appliances as accepted in its twice-a-year bulky collection. You can also drop it off free at one of four Bulky Waste Collection Centers if you pay the City environmental fee. The city pages do not mention refrigerant; call 3-1-1 before setting out a fridge or AC unit. | City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management: Curbside Brush and Bulky Item Collection; City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management: Bulky Waste Collection Centers |
| Dallas | No. Dallas does not collect appliances containing coolant at the curb. McCommas Bluff Landfill accepts appliances with refrigerants removed. | City of Dallas Sanitation: Brush and Bulky Item Collection; City of Dallas Sanitation: McCommas Bluff Landfill |
| Fort Worth | To a City Drop-Off Station, not the curb. The City says Freon does not need to be removed first, but food does. | City of Fort Worth Environmental Services: Bulk Waste Collection; City of Fort Worth Environmental Services: Drop-Off Stations |
| Austin | Yes, through on-demand bulk collection, up to three times a year. Remove appliance doors. | City of Austin Resource Recovery: On-demand bulk, brush and household hazardous waste collection |
| El Paso | The Citizen Collection Stations take bulky items from residents with a pass. The City page does not mention appliances, so call 3-1-1 to confirm first. | City of El Paso Environmental Services: Citizen Collection Stations |
| Arlington | Yes, as bulky waste, up to two cubic yards a week, with each item under 50 pounds. Appliances with Freon need a certificate showing the Freon was properly removed. For more, call Republic Services at 817-317-2000 for a paid special collection. | City of Arlington: Residential Curbside Collections; City of Arlington: Arlington Residents Get 3 Free Landfill Drop-Offs Per Year (June 2, 2026) |
| Corpus Christi | Yes. Large household appliances go out with heavy brush and bulky items on your area's scheduled set-out dates. The City guide says to remove freon from appliances. Residential customers can also take appliances to the J.C. Elliott Transfer Station at no fee. | City of Corpus Christi Solid Waste Services: Heavy Brush and Bulky Items; City of Corpus Christi Solid Waste Services: Solid Waste Services Guide (PDF) |
| Lubbock | To a Citizen Convenience Station. It must be empty and the doors must not be taped; City staff remove the Freon. Limit 2 appliances per visit. | City of Lubbock: Solid Waste: Citizen Convenience Stations and Landfill |
| Laredo | Yes, twice a year for residents paying City garbage fees. Extra pickups cost $15 for the first item, $10 for the second and $5 for each one after. Call 956-796-1098. | City of Laredo Solid Waste Services: Brush and Bulky Item Collection Service |
| Plano | Special Paid Collection is $10 per cubic yard with a $20 minimum, plus an environmental fee for items containing Freon; call 972-769-4150 for the current fee. Schedule through Customer Service at 972-769-4150; charges go on your utility bill. | City of Plano: Bulky Waste Special Paid Collection |
- The Solid Waste page says residents may use the sites 4 times per year, with loads up to the equivalent of a pickup bed. (City of Lubbock: Solid Waste: Citizen Convenience Stations and Landfill, checked November 1, 2026)
- The Bulky Items page says eight visits per year, with loads up to 3 cubic yards. (City of Lubbock: Bulky Items, checked November 1, 2026)
Who to call: Both are City of Lubbock pages. We lead with the Solid Waste page because it carries the station rules of use. Call the number on the Bulky Items page, 806-775-2495, or 311, before you plan more than four trips.
Freon and refrigerant rules by city: Freon removal in Texas.
Federal rules (EPA)
- The final disposer of an appliance is responsible for making sure any refrigerant in it is recovered. If someone else recovered it first, EPA requires a signed statement with that person's name and address and the date of recovery. EPA says no sticker is required for disposal. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
- Before you dispose of a fridge or freezer, EPA suggests checking with your electric utility for a rebate or bounty (appliance turn-in) program, and with your city. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
- People recovering refrigerant from small appliances (five pounds or less of refrigerant) in the waste stream do not need Clean Air Act section 608 certification. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
- Hazardous parts such as PCBs, mercury and compressor oil must be removed from appliances before disposal. (U.S. EPA: Appliance Disposal (Section 608))
Before you haul it
- Empty fridges and freezers completely.
- Check whether the program wants fridge or freezer doors removed, taped shut or left on. Rules differ by city; some reject taped doors.
- Unplug the appliance. On a gas range or dryer, have the gas line shut off and capped by a qualified person before moving it.
- Call ahead: fees and rules change, and the official pages are the final word.
Other cities and counties in Texas run their own programs. This guide covers only the programs we could check on an official page. Ask your city or trash hauler before you set an appliance out.
Replacing it? Check Texas appliance rebates first.
Texas repair shops
FAQ
Does Houston pick up old refrigerators?
Only with heavy trash, and only if a certified technician's tag shows the refrigerant has been removed. Source: City of Houston Solid Waste Management.
Does San Antonio take refrigerators at the curb?
The City lists large appliances as accepted in its twice-a-year bulky collection. You can also drop it off free at one of four Bulky Waste Collection Centers if you pay the City environmental fee. The city pages do not mention refrigerant; call 3-1-1 before setting out a fridge or AC unit. Source: City of San Antonio.
Can I put a fridge out with Dallas bulky trash?
No. Dallas does not collect appliances containing coolant at the curb. McCommas Bluff Landfill accepts appliances with refrigerants removed. Source: City of Dallas Sanitation.
Where do I take an old fridge in Fort Worth?
To a City Drop-Off Station, not the curb. The City says Freon does not need to be removed first, but food does. Source: City of Fort Worth.
Last updated: