Can you remove a fridge that still has food in it?

We'd rather you empty it first, but we can work with you. Remove as much food as possible before pickup — it keeps things cleaner and may affect pricing if there's a mess involved.

How much does appliance removal cost in Lakeland, FL?

A single appliance like a fridge or washing machine typically runs $75–$150 depending on size, location in the home, and how easy access is. We give upfront quotes before we touch anything.

Do you remove appliances that still work?

Absolutely. Working appliances in good condition are often donated to local thrift stores or Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Polk County before we'd ever consider dumping them.

What appliances do you haul away?

Fridges, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, ovens, microwaves, water heaters, and more. If it plugs in or runs on gas and you don't want it, we'll take it.

Will you haul an appliance from an upstairs room or tight space?

Yes — that's actually one of the main reasons people hire us instead of doing it themselves. We handle stairs, tight doorways, and awkward layouts. There may be a small additional charge for difficult extractions.

Does Your Old Fridge Get Recycled or Dumped? The Truth About Appliance Removal in Polk County

Find out what really happens to your old fridge or appliance after pickup in Polk County — and how Lakeland Junk Removal handles it responsibly.

Most people assume their old fridge gets recycled — here's what actually happens to it after it leaves your driveway in Polk County.

The short answer? It depends entirely on who picks it up. And in Polk County, that distinction matters more than most homeowners realize.

What Actually Happens to Old Appliances After Pickup

When a junk removal company hauls away your old refrigerator, washing machine, or chest freezer, there are really only a few possible destinations:

Donation — if the appliance still works and is in decent shape
Scrap metal recycling — the most common outcome for non-working units
Proper refrigerant recovery — required by federal law before any fridge or AC unit can be scrapped
The landfill — what happens when a hauler cuts corners

Here's the thing about fridges specifically: they contain refrigerants like Freon (R-22) or newer HFCs that are federally regulated. It is illegal to simply vent or dump these gases. Before any refrigerator can be crushed for scrap, a certified technician has to recover that refrigerant. Reputable haulers — including us — either handle this in-house or partner with certified recyclers who do.

If someone quotes you $20 to haul a fridge away and asks no questions, there's a good chance they're dumping it illegally somewhere in Polk County. That's bad for the environment and, if it gets traced back, can be a headache for the homeowner too.

What We Do With Your Old Appliances

At Lakeland Junk Removal, here's our actual process:

Working appliances go to donation first — Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations in Lakeland, local thrift stores, and community organizations that can put them to use.
Non-working appliances go to scrap metal recyclers in Polk County. Refrigerators and AC units get refrigerant recovered by certified techs before scrapping.
Truly trashed units — crushed, burned, beyond salvage — go to licensed disposal facilities. Not roadside ditches.

We're not going to pretend 100% of every appliance gets "recycled" in the feel-good sense. Scrap metal recycling is real recycling — your old washer becomes raw steel again — but it's not always the same as what you picture. What we can promise is that we follow the rules, use licensed facilities, and never dump.

What It Costs to Remove an Appliance in Lakeland

Pricing is based on the size of the appliance, where it's located, and how easy it is to get out.

Appliance	Typical Price Range
Refrigerator (standard)	$90 – $150
Chest freezer	$75 – $125
Washing machine or dryer	$75 – $120
Stove / range	$75 – $110
Dishwasher	$65 – $100
Water heater	$85 – $140
Window AC unit	$65 – $95

These are real numbers for Polk County — not lowball teasers that balloon once we're at your door. We give you an upfront quote before anything gets loaded. If you've got multiple appliances, we price the load together, which almost always saves you money compared to removing them one at a time.

Factors that affect price:

Upstairs or basement location (stairs add labor)
Tight hallways or tricky doorways
Multiple units at once (usually cheaper per piece)
Whether a fridge has food or water still inside

Landlords and Property Managers: This One's for You

If you're turning over a rental property in Lakeland, Bartow, Winter Haven, or anywhere else in Polk County, leftover appliances are one of the most annoying problems to deal with. Tenants leave behind fridges that don't work, washers full of mildew, and water heaters that were last serviced in 2009.

We do full property cleanouts — not just single appliances. You can book us to clear out everything at once: appliances, furniture, debris, whatever's left behind. One truck, one trip, one invoice. That's a lot easier than coordinating with three different services.

What You Should Do Before We Arrive

A few things that make appliance removal faster and cheaper:

Empty the fridge and freezer completely. Defrost it if possible.
Disconnect water lines on fridges with ice makers and washers if you can — or let us know if you need help with that.
Clear a path from the appliance to the nearest exterior door. The less time we spend maneuvering, the smoother it goes.
Know where it's located — ground floor vs. upstairs changes the quote.

You don't have to do any of this for us to show up and handle it. But if you can manage it, it helps.

The Bottom Line

Not every appliance removal company in Polk County treats your old fridge the same way. Some do it right — legal refrigerant recovery, scrap recycling, donation when possible. Others cut corners. The price difference between doing it right and doing it cheap is usually $30–$50. That's worth knowing before you book.

If you've got an old appliance (or a whole pile of them) you need gone, get a free upfront quote from us here. No pressure, no surprise fees at the door.

Want to see everything we haul? Check out our full list of services, including our dedicated appliance removal service and coverage across Lakeland and Polk County.