Electrical recycling
How to get rid of a fridge, washing machine or cooker
Ask the shop delivering your new appliance to take the old one away. Otherwise use a council bulky waste collection or take it to a tip.
The shop selling the new one
When you buy a new appliance, the shop must offer a free way to recycle your old one of the same kind. Shops that take it back in store do it for free, but can charge to collect it from your home.
Smaller shops and online sellers can send you to a council tip instead.
Council bulky waste collection
Most councils collect fridges and washing machines for a fee.
Tips
Tips take white goods that no longer work.
Reuse
If it still works, your council may run a reuse service, or a charity or furniture reuse group may take it.
Shops must give you 28 days
GOV.UK says shops that take back old electricals in store must give customers at least 28 days to bring the old item in.
Key facts
- Binmap lists 90 places that say they take white goods and large appliances, including 89 tips.
- Another 431 places may take white goods and large appliances, but they do not say so. Check before you go.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
Written by Binmap using guidance from GOV.UK and Recycle Now.
Pages from the organisations involved
Advice from national bodies
What to do
- Empty and clean the appliance.
- Ask the shop or council what it needs from you on collection day.
Mistakes to avoid
- The British Heart Foundation cannot accept tumble dryers, washer dryers or built in appliances.
Kinds of place that take it
- Collection services
- Electrical recycling points
- Recycling centres
More local guides
Guides for similar items
Other kinds of place
Schemes and collection services
Binmap is independent and is not run by any council.