It’s no secret that garbage dumps are filling up faster than ever. Therefore, it’s important to do all you can to divert as much away from landfills as you can. One crucial part of this is ensuring that large appliances are recycled instead of thrown away. If you’re not sure how to do this, here are a few tips on how to recycle large appliances like water heaters.

Check with Your City

Many cities, understanding the need to save space at landfills, have a very robust appliance recycling program in place. If this is true of your city, all you have to do is schedule a time to have your old appliance hauled away and then let representatives from the city do all the hard work. In some cases, you may even be eligible for a rebate for your old appliance, which can make recycling a win-win situation.

Haul it to a Scrapyard

Most appliances contain a decent amount of metal. This fact makes them attractive to scrapyards that take this metal and recycle it for future use. Typically, you are eligible for payment based on the weight of appliances that you bring to the recycling facility. Just be sure to ask about harmful chemical disposal to be sure the facility you choose won’t put the environment at further risk.

Easy in and Out

If an appliance requiring professional installation stops working, then you can usually count on the installation company to haul away your old appliance when your new one is installed. For example, when you need a new gas water heater installation, it’s important to let your water heater installers disconnect your old water heater to prevent any gas or water leaks and then let them haul the old water heater away. They will be well-versed on where to take your old water heater to ensure it stays out of the landfill.

Put it Out By the Curb

Most cities have people who make at least part of their income by collecting scrap metal and taking it to the scrapyard. If you have someone like this in your neighborhood, then recycling your old appliances is as simple as setting them by the curb. If your street isn’t well-traveled, it’s usually a good idea to post about your appliance on a neighborhood group so that scrappers know there’s something available for them to haul away.

Donate It

In some cases, your old appliances may still have some life left in them. If that’s the case, rather than recycling your appliances, you can donate them to someone in need. Even if your appliances aren’t the most efficient or aesthetically pleasing, they can mean the world to someone who doesn’t have the money to buy their own appliances. This approach allows you to make space for new appliances while helping someone in need.