How To Get Rid Of Microwave Oven: Your Eco-Friendly Guide.

Getting rid of an old microwave oven needs care. Can you just throw it in the regular trash? No, usually you cannot. Microwaves are not like regular garbage. They contain parts that can hurt the earth if they end up in a dump. Finding good microwave disposal options is important. It helps protect our planet and saves useful materials. This guide will show you eco-friendly ways to get rid of your old microwave, covering things like recycling, donating, selling, and using special pickup services.

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Why Getting Rid of it Right Matters

Throwing electronics away in the regular trash causes problems. Microwaves have metal, plastic, and other parts inside. Some parts can have materials that are bad for the earth and for people’s health if they leak out in a dump. When old machines pile up, they become a big problem called e-waste disposal. E-waste is electronic trash. It’s growing fast. Putting microwaves in landfills wastes useful stuff. Things like steel, copper, and plastic can be used again. Proper disposal helps save these materials. It also keeps bad stuff out of the ground and water.

Your Choices for Getting Rid of a Microwave

You have several good ways to get rid of an old microwave oven. The best way for you might depend on if the microwave still works. It also depends on what services are near your home.

Here are the main options for microwave disposal options:

Recycling it.
Giving it away (donating).
Selling it.
Paying someone to take it away.
Using a special pickup service from your city or town.

Let’s look closely at each choice.

Recycling Your Old Microwave

Recycling is a top choice for getting rid of old microwaves. It is very good for the earth. When you recycle microwave oven parts, they don’t end up in a dump. Special places can take the microwave apart. They separate the different materials inside.

What Parts Get Recycled?

Microwaves have many valuable parts:

Metal: Most of the microwave is metal. This includes the outside box and parts inside. Metals like steel, aluminum, and copper can be melted down. They can be used to make new things. This saves a lot of energy compared to making new metal from rock.
Plastic: Many parts are plastic. The door, the control panel, and other bits. Plastic can be cleaned and broken down. It can be turned into new plastic stuff.
Glass: The glass plate inside can often be recycled. Some places might recycle the glass door too.
Wires: The power cord and wires inside have copper metal. Copper is valuable. It is often recycled.

Recycling puts these materials back into use. It is a key part of e-waste disposal.

Finding Where to Recycle Microwave Ovens

Finding a place to recycle can take a little effort. Here are ways to find where to recycle microwave ovens:

Check Your City or County Website: This is often the best place to start. Government websites usually have a list of places that take old electronics. They might have special collection days or drop-off spots. Look for sections on “waste disposal,” “recycling,” or “household hazardous waste.”
Search Online for E-waste Centers: Type things like “e-waste recycling [your city]” or “appliance recycling [your county]” into a search engine. E-waste centers are places that specialize in taking all kinds of old electronics.
Look for Special Recycling Events: Sometimes, towns or groups hold events where you can bring old electronics for free recycling. Your city website or local news might list these.
Ask Appliance Stores: Some stores that sell new appliances might take your old one for recycling when you buy a new one. Ask them if they have a take-back program.
Check with Scrap Yards: Some scrap metal yards might take microwaves because of the metal inside. Call them first to make sure they accept them and ask about any fees.

When you find a place, call or check their website. Make sure they take microwaves. Some places only take certain types of electronics. Ask if there is a fee to drop off the microwave.

Getting the Microwave Ready for Recycling

Getting your microwave ready is simple:

Unplug it: Make sure it is not plugged in at all.
Clean it: Empty out any food bits. Wipe the inside and outside. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but clean is good.
Remove the glass plate: Take out the glass turntable and the ring under it. You might recycle the glass plate separately if your local program takes glass. Or you can wrap it carefully and put it with the microwave if the center allows.
Secure the cord: You can tape the power cord to the back of the microwave. This keeps it from getting in the way. Do not cut the cord unless the recycling center tells you to. Cutting cords can be unsafe.

Once it is ready, take it to the recycling spot you found. Recycling is often the best choice for how to dispose of broken microwave ovens. It ensures the parts are handled safely.

Giving Your Microwave to Someone Else (Donating)

If your microwave still works well, don’t just get rid of it! You might be able to give it to someone who needs it. This is a great way to donate old microwave ovens. It helps reduce waste and helps a person or family.

When Can You Donate a Microwave?

You can donate a microwave only if it is in good working condition.

It must turn on.
It must heat food.
The buttons and door must work right.
It should be clean inside and out.
It should not smell bad or have rust inside.

No one wants a broken or dirty microwave. If it does not work, donating is not the right choice. Then you should look at recycling or professional removal.

Where to Donate Old Microwave Ovens

Many places might take a working microwave:

Charity Shops: Stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or others often take appliance donations. Call ahead to make sure they are accepting microwaves. Sometimes they have limits on what they take or need proof that it works.
Shelters: Homeless shelters or women’s shelters often need working appliances for their kitchens or rooms. Call local shelters to see if they need a microwave.
Community Centers: Local community centers might need microwaves for their kitchens or programs.
Local Free Groups: Websites like Freecycle or Buy Nothing Project groups on social media let you offer items for free to people in your community. This is a simple way to donate old microwave ovens directly to someone who needs one.
Churches or Community Kitchens: Some religious groups or kitchens that feed people might need extra microwaves.

When you donate, you often get a paper showing you gave the item away. You might be able to use this for tax reasons, but check the rules.

Getting the Microwave Ready for Donating

Prepare a microwave for donation like you would for recycling, but with extra care:

Unplug it: Make sure the power is off.
Clean it Very Well: Clean the inside, outside, and the door really well. Make it look as close to new as possible. No food smells or stains should be left.
Include all parts: Make sure the glass plate and the ring under it are inside. If you have the manual, put that with it too.
Check it Works: Plug it in one last time. Put a cup of water inside. Heat it for a minute. Does the water get hot? Do all the buttons work?
Secure the cord: Tape the cord neatly to the back.

By cleaning it well and making sure it works, you make it easy for the place you are donating to.

Selling Your Used Microwave

If your microwave works well and looks good, you might be able to sell it. This lets you get a little money back. Selling is another way to keep a working appliance out of the dump. It is like donating, but you get paid.

When Can You Sell a Microwave?

You can sell a microwave if:

It works perfectly.
It looks clean and in good shape.
It is a popular model or brand.
You think someone might want to buy it used.

Even a broken microwave might be sellable if someone is looking for parts or likes to fix things. But be clear if it is broken (how to dispose of broken microwave via selling for parts).

Where to Sell Used Microwave Ovens

You can sell a used microwave in a few places:

Online Selling Sites: Websites and apps like eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Nextdoor are popular spots to sell things locally.
Local Classifieds: Some towns have local online or paper ad spots.
Garage Sales: If you are having a garage sale, you can put the microwave out.

When selling online, take clear pictures of the microwave. Show the inside and outside. Write a clear description. Say if it works perfectly or if it has any small issues. Mention the brand and model number.

Setting a Price for Selling

How much should you ask for a used microwave?

Look online for similar microwaves being sold used. See what prices others are asking.
Think about how old your microwave is.
Think about its condition. Is it like new, or does it have some scratches?
Start with a price you think is fair. Be ready to take a little less money. People often try to get a lower price when buying used items.

Don’t expect a lot of money. Used microwaves usually sell for much less than new ones. But getting any money is better than throwing it away.

Getting the Microwave Ready for Selling

Getting ready to sell is like getting ready to donate:

Unplug it: Safety first.
Clean it Deeply: Make it shine! The cleaner it looks, the better chance you have of selling it and getting your asking price. Clean inside, outside, door, and touchpad.
Check it Works: Plug it in and test it one more time. Make sure it heats water.
Gather Info: Find the model number. If you have the manual, find that too. This helps the buyer.
Take Good Pictures: Take clear photos in good light from different angles. Show the inside.
Write a Good Ad: Describe the condition, brand, model, and price clearly. Say if it works.

Be honest in your ad. If it has a scratch, say so. Buyers like honesty.

Getting Help to Take it Away (Appliance Removal Service)

What if your microwave is broken? Or maybe you just want someone to come and take it away? This is when an appliance removal service is helpful. These companies specialize in taking away old machines. They are often called junk removal appliance services too.

When to Use an Appliance Removal Service

Use this service if:

Your microwave is broken (how to dispose of broken microwave easily).
You don’t have a car big enough to take it to a recycling center.
You don’t have time or ability to move it yourself.
You have other junk or appliances to get rid of at the same time.
You want the easiest option.

These services come to your home. They pick up the microwave and take it away.

What Do These Services Do?

Good appliance removal services don’t just take your microwave to the dump. They should know how to handle e-waste disposal properly.

They pick up the item from your home.
They carry it out to their truck.
They sort the items they collect.
Working items might be donated or sold.
Broken items or those that cannot be used again should be taken to a proper recycling facility.

When choosing a service, ask them what they do with the appliances they pick up. Do they recycle? Do they donate? Choose one that follows eco-friendly practices.

Finding and Choosing a Service

Search online for “appliance removal service near me” or “junk removal appliance [your city]”.
Look for companies that mention eco-friendly disposal or recycling.
Read reviews from other customers.
Call a few different companies. Ask about their price. Prices can be flat rate for an appliance or based on the amount of space your items take up in their truck.
Ask them how they dispose of the microwave.

Using a removal service is often the most convenient way to handle how to dispose of broken microwave ovens or working ones if you don’t want the hassle of moving it yourself.

Your City’s Pickup Service (Curbside Appliance Pickup)

Some cities or towns offer a special pickup service for large items like appliances. This is called curbside appliance pickup. It’s not available everywhere, so you need to check where you live.

How Curbside Appliance Pickup Works

You usually need to call your city’s waste department.
You might need to schedule a pickup time or day.
There might be a fee for the pickup. You might need to buy a sticker or tag to put on the microwave.
You will need to place the microwave outside by the curb on the correct day.

Rules for curbside appliance pickup vary a lot.

Some cities have specific dates or weeks for appliance pickups.
Some might require you to remove certain parts yourself first (like the door, for safety).
They might have limits on how many items you can put out.

You can find information about curbside appliance pickup on your city or town’s official website. Look under waste, trash, or recycling services. This is one way to find where to recycle microwave parts or the whole unit through a city program.

What to Do with a Broken One

We’ve talked about this a few times, but it’s very important. How to dispose of broken microwave ovens is different from working ones.

Do NOT donate a broken microwave. It’s not fair to the charity or the person who gets it.
Do NOT sell a broken microwave without saying it’s broken. If selling for parts, be very clear.
Avoid putting it in regular trash if possible. Dumps are bad for electronics.
The best options for a broken microwave are:
- Recycling it at an e-waste center.
- Using an appliance removal service that recycles.
- Using your city’s curbside appliance pickup if they take broken units for recycling.

Always check with the disposal location. Tell them if the microwave is broken. This helps them handle it the right way.

Steps Before Letting Go

No matter which method you choose (recycling, donating, selling, pickup), there are a few steps you should always take.

Unplug the power cord. Make sure it is completely disconnected from the wall. Safety first!
Clean it out. Remove any food bits, spills, or smells. A clean microwave is easier to recycle, donate, or sell.
Remove the glass turntable and the ring. These parts can be recycled separately or stay with the unit depending on the rules of where you take it. Cleaning them is a good idea too.
Secure the cord. Tape the power cord to the back of the microwave so it doesn’t catch on things.
Take pictures (if selling). Get good photos before you move it outside.
Make sure all your stuff is out of it. Check inside one last time! People sometimes store things in microwaves.

These steps make the process smoother and safer for everyone involved.

Finding Local Places

Finding where to recycle microwave ovens or get them picked up really depends on where you live. Rules change from one town to the next.

Start with your city or county government website. Search for “appliance disposal options,” “e-waste collection,” or “bulky waste pickup.”
Look for local recycling centers. Use search terms like “recycle microwave [your town name].”
Check with large electronics stores or home improvement stores. Some have take-back programs.
Contact local charities or shelters if the microwave works.
Search online for local junk removal appliance companies.

Make a quick list of the options in your area. Then you can compare them based on cost, convenience, and how eco-friendly they are.

Picking the Right Way

Which is the best way for you? Think about these things:

If Your Microwave Is…	Your Best Options Might Be…	Things to Think About
Working & Clean	Donate, Sell, Recycle, Removal Service, Pickup	Do you need money? Do you want to help someone?
Broken & Old	Recycle, Removal Service, Pickup	Is there a nearby recycling center? Does your city pick up broken items?
You Want It Easy	Removal Service, Pickup	Are you willing to pay for convenience?
You Want to Help the Earth	Recycle, Donate	Can you take it to a recycling center? Is donation possible?
You Want Some Money	Sell	Is it in good enough shape to sell?

Think about what matters most to you and what is possible where you live.

Helping Our Planet

Choosing an eco-friendly way to get rid of your microwave helps our planet. Every old microwave that is recycled means fewer raw materials are needed to make new ones. It means fewer harmful substances end up in landfills. It helps reduce pollution and save energy. Your simple act of choosing proper microwave disposal options makes a difference. It is part of the bigger effort of responsible e-waste disposal.

Questions People Ask (FAQ)

Q: Can I just throw my broken microwave in the regular trash bin outside my house?

A: In most places, no. Microwaves are considered e-waste or bulky waste. They often contain materials that should not go into regular landfills. You need to use special disposal methods like recycling or specific pickup services. Check your local rules.

Q: Is there a fee to recycle a microwave oven?

A: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the recycling center or program. Some places offer free electronics recycling events. Some centers might charge a small fee to cover the cost of taking the microwave apart and handling the materials safely. Call ahead or check their website to find out.

Q: What parts of a microwave are bad for the environment?

A: Microwaves contain various materials, including metals that can be harmful if they leach into the soil or water in a landfill. Some older models might contain materials like mercury (though less common in newer models) or lead in components. Proper recycling ensures these are handled safely.

Q: My microwave still works, but it’s very old and dirty. Can I donate it?

A: It’s best to donate items that are clean and in good working order. A charity or shelter might not be able to use a dirty appliance. If it works but is just old and looks bad, cleaning it very well is the first step. If you can’t make it clean or if it has issues, recycling is a better option than donating something unusable.

Q: How can I be sure an appliance removal service is eco-friendly?

A: Ask them directly what they do with the appliances they pick up. A good sign is if they mention recycling or donating working items. You can also check their website or look for reviews that mention their disposal practices.

Q: My city offers curbside appliance pickup. Is that the same as recycling?

A: It depends on your city’s program. Often, when the city picks up appliances, they take them to a place where they are prepared for recycling or disposal according to rules. It’s usually a better option than putting it in the regular trash. Check your city’s website for details on what they do with the items they pick up.

Q: Can I sell a microwave that only heats sometimes?

A: You could try selling it “for parts” or “as-is,” but you must be completely honest with the buyer about the problem. It’s often easier and more responsible to recycle a broken microwave than to sell it if it doesn’t work right.

Q: What is e-waste disposal?

A: E-waste disposal is the process of getting rid of old electronic items like computers, TVs, phones, and appliances like microwaves. Because these items have complex parts and sometimes harmful materials, they need special handling and should be recycled or disposed of correctly instead of just thrown away in regular trash.

Your Next Step

Getting rid of an old microwave oven doesn’t have to be hard. By choosing one of the eco-friendly ways like recycling, donating, selling, or using a special pickup service, you help the environment. Take a moment to figure out the best option near you. Check your city’s website, look for local recycling centers, or find a trusted removal service. Your old microwave can be taken apart for valuable materials or find a new home if it still works. Make the smart choice for your wallet and for the planet.