How to Dispose of a Microwave

Microwave ovens fall into the category of electronic waste, or e-waste. Due to regulations and the impact of e-waste on the environment, you can’t just throw your microwave in the trash when you no longer need it. Instead, you have options to discard broken appliances with your local trash company, at recycling centers, or in department stores; or you can sell or donate appliances that still work.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Recycling a Broken Microwave

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    Search “electronic recycling near me” online to ensure proper disposal. These recycling centers specialize in disposing of e-waste. The centers may strip the appliance for parts to be sold or used as replacements; redistribute items to charities and non-profit organizations; or if needed, will dispose of the parts properly and safely.[1]
    • Call or check the company website first to make sure they accept microwaves.
    • Find out if there are any charges for recycling a microwave.
    • If it would be more convenient for you, ask if they offer a pickup service and what the fee would be.
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    Find an in-store collection program at a local department store. Staples, Best Buy, and Office Depot will often hold free events for the community to drop off electronic waste. But before hauling your microwave all the way in, call or email first to verify that they will accept it.
    • If there are no events taking place at any of these locations, ask if you are able to just stop in and drop it off.
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    Ask about store incentives if you are purchasing a new microwave. Some home improvement stores will take and recycle your old items if you purchase a new one from them. If you are planning to buy a new microwave, check with the store you are purchasing it at to see if this is an option.
    • If you really want to make disposing of your microwave easy by taking advantage of this deal, call around to the different stores in your area first. Then make your purchase at a store that offers this option.
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    Check with the manufacturer to see if they will take back the microwave. Some manufacturers offer programs to help customers with responsible disposal. Check the company’s website or call their customer service line to find out if this is an option for you.[2]
    • Note that you will likely be expected to pay the shipping costs for the return, but it is a small price to pay for being environmentally responsible.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Throwing Away a Broken Microwave

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    Contact your local trash company about picking up your microwave. Some trash companies offer a service to pick up and properly dispose of bulky items. This service may be offered for free within certain guidelines. For instance, you may only be able to have a certain number of bulky items picked up per year, or they may need to be within a certain size or weight limit.[3]
    • Even if it isn’t free, the service may still be available for a fee.
    • If the service is offered in your area, you will usually be able to set the microwave on the curb or wherever your trash is usually picked up.
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    Drop your microwave off at your local garbage center to avoid a fee. Some trash companies may offer the option to drop your appliances off at their location. If this is an option in your area, you will probably be able to avoid paying a fee for pickup service.[4]
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    Ask about clean up days in your area if there isn’t regular service. Trash companies will usually hold events to make it more convenient for community members to get rid of their hazardous waste.[5] The events may be held twice per year, quarterly, monthly, or even weekly, depending on the size and demand of your area.
    • Find out the date, times, and location of the event, and simply drop your microwave off at that time.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Reusing a Working Microwave

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    Sell your working microwave if you are just making an upgrade. If the microwave still works, try to sell it to someone you know who may need one. If word of mouth doesn’t work, post it on an online classified site like Craigslist.
    • Use the money you get from the sale to put towards the purchase of your new appliance!
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    Donate your working microwave to help out your community. Schools, churches, and other nonprofit organizations like children’s clubs often welcome donations of large, working appliances that would otherwise be too expensive to buy. Your donation may even be tax-deductible.
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    Take your microwave to an appliance repair shop if it’s in bad condition. If the microwave is really old or ugly, but still works, a home appliance repair shop may take it off of your hands. They may want to resell it for profit, or just keep it to strip for replacement parts.[6]
    • The shop will be responsible for recycling unusable parts, so either way, it will be less stress for you.
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    Read the instruction manual to try and fix a broken microwave. These manuals almost always include steps for troubleshooting issues as well as part and warranty information. Follow the instructions provided for the issue you are experiencing.[7]
    • If your particular issue isn’t listed, the phone number to customer service will be, so call that number instead.
    • You may be able to get the repair made for free if the device is still under warranty, so be sure to check into that as well.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Where can I get a broken microwave?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You could check places like Craigslist, local Facebook sale/trade groups or Nextdoor.com. As most people wouldn't be inclined to list broken merchandise, it might be best if you post on one (or all, depending on how many you're looking for) of these sites stating that you're looking for a non-functional microwave. You could also check with local appliance stores.
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Warnings

  • It is illegal to sell recalled items. Before attempting to resell your microwave, check the consumer protection website for your country to be sure the microwave hasn’t been placed on recall.[8]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/technology/personaltech/recycling-electronic-waste-responsibly-excuses-dwindle.html
  2. ↑ https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/because-you-asked-how-do-i-recycle-a-microwave
  3. ↑ https://www.wm.com/residential/additional-waste-services.jsp
  4. ↑ http://www.wm.com/location/california/ca/santa-clarita-valley/residential-services/universal-e-waste.jsp
  5. ↑ http://www.stopwaste.org/recycling/residents/household-hazardous-waste/one-day-event
  6. ↑ https://www.ewaste.com.au/ewaste-articles/disposing-old-televisions-and-microwaves/
  7. ↑ https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/because-you-asked-how-do-i-recycle-a-microwave
  8. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/dont-sell-recalled-products-at-yard-sale/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 126,336 times.
64 votes - 61%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: November 6, 2019
Views: 126,336
Categories: Microwave Ovens
Article SummaryX

To dispose of a microwave, you can take it to your local garbage center, which is often free. Alternatively, search “Electronic recycling near me” online to find a recycling center in your area. Some department stores, like Staples, Best Buy, and Office Depot, often have free collection programs for you to drop off your old electronics. If you’re buying a new microwave, ask an employee if their store has a recycling program for new purchases. If you don’t have a car, contact a local trash company about picking up your microwave. These can be more convenient, but they might charge a fee for collecting your microwave. For more tips, including how to sell or donate your working microwave, read on!

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