If you have an old or broken refrigerator that you want to get rid of, you may wonder if you can make some money by scrapping it. Scrapping a refrigerator means taking it apart and selling the metal and plastic parts to a scrap yard or a recycling center. But how much do you get for scrapping a refrigerator? And is it worth the time and effort?
The amount of money you can get for scrapping a refrigerator depends on several factors, such as the type, size, weight, and condition of the refrigerator, the current market prices for scrap metal and recycled plastic, and the location and policies of the scrap yard or recycling center.
In general, however, you can expect to get around $20 to $50 for a standard-sized refrigerator in scrap.
In this post, we will explain more about how to scrap a refrigerator, what parts are valuable, where to sell them, and what to consider before doing so. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about scrapping a refrigerator. By the end of this post, you will have a better idea of whether scrapping a refrigerator is worth it or not.
How to scrap a refrigerator
Scrapping a refrigerator is not a simple or easy task. It requires some tools, skills, time, and safety precautions. Here are some steps to follow if you want to scrap a refrigerator:
- Unplug the refrigerator – Before you start any work on the refrigerator, you should always unplug it from the power source and let it defrost completely. This will prevent any electric shock or injury from the wires or components inside the refrigerator. It will also make it easier to remove the ice and water from the freezer and fridge compartments.
- Remove the refrigerant – The refrigerant is the substance that circulates inside the coils and pipes of the refrigerator and transfers heat from inside to outside. The refrigerant is usually a gas or liquid that has a low boiling point and high pressure. The most common types of refrigerant used in refrigerators are R-22, R-134a, and R-410a. The refrigerant is harmful to the environment and human health if it leaks or is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, you should not attempt to remove the refrigerant yourself unless you are certified and trained to do so. You should contact a professional technician or a licensed recycler who can safely recover and dispose of the refrigerant according to the local laws and regulations.
- Remove the compressor – The compressor is the part of the refrigerator that compresses the refrigerant gas and sends it to the condenser. The compressor is usually located at the bottom or back of the refrigerator behind a panel. The compressor is heavy and contains oil and copper wires. You will need to unthread the screws or clips that secure the panel and disconnect the wires that connect the compressor to the power supply. You will also need to cut or unscrew the pipes that connect the compressor to the coils. You should wear gloves and eye protection when handling the compressor as it may be hot or sharp.
- Remove the coils – The coils are the metal tubes that carry the refrigerant gas or liquid through the refrigerator. There are two types of coils: the evaporator coils and the condenser coils. The evaporator coils are located inside or behind the freezer or fridge compartment and absorb heat from the air inside. The condenser coils are located outside or behind the refrigerator and release heat to the air outside. The coils are usually made of copper or aluminum and are valuable for scrap metal. You will need to cut or unscrew them from their brackets or supports and remove any insulation or tape around them.
- Remove other metal parts – There may be other metal parts in your refrigerator that you can scrap, such as hinges, handles, screws, clips, brackets, supports, shelves, racks, trays, etc. These parts are usually made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, or zinc. You will need to use pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, or other tools to remove them from their places.
- Remove plastic parts – There may also be plastic parts in your refrigerator that you can recycle, such as doors, panels, drawers, bins, covers, liners, gaskets, seals, etc. These parts are usually made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or other types of plastic. You will need to use knives, scissors, saws, or other tools to cut them off from their places.
- Sort and weigh your parts – Once you have removed all the parts from your refrigerator that you can scrap or recycle, you should sort them by their type and material. You should also weigh them using a scale or a weighing machine. This will help you estimate the value of your parts and negotiate with the scrap yard or recycling center.
What parts are valuable
Not all parts of your refrigerator are equally valuable for scrap or recycling. Some parts are more in demand and have higher prices than others. Here are some of the most valuable parts of your refrigerator:
- Compressor – The compressor is one of the most valuable parts of your refrigerator for scrap. It is heavy and contains oil and copper wires. The oil can be drained and sold separately, while the copper wires can be stripped and sold as bare bright copper. The compressor itself can be sold as a whole or as scrap metal. The average price for a compressor is around $10 to $15, depending on the size and condition.
- Coils – The coils are another valuable part of your refrigerator for scrap. They are usually made of copper or aluminum and have high prices in the scrap metal market. Copper coils are more valuable than aluminum coils, as copper is more in demand and has better conductivity and durability. The average price for copper coils is around $2 to $3 per pound, while the average price for aluminum coils is around $0.50 to $1 per pound, depending on the quality and cleanliness.
- Other metal parts – There may be other metal parts in your refrigerator that you can scrap, such as hinges, handles, screws, clips, brackets, supports, shelves, racks, trays, etc. These parts are usually made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, or zinc. Steel is the most common and least valuable metal in your refrigerator, as it is abundant and has low prices in the scrap metal market. Stainless steel is more valuable than steel, as it is more resistant to corrosion and has better appearance and strength. Aluminum is more valuable than steel and stainless steel, as it is lighter and has better conductivity and recyclability. Brass is more valuable than aluminum, as it is harder and has better color and resistance to corrosion. Zinc is more valuable than brass, as it is rarer and has better resistance to corrosion and oxidation. The average price for steel is around $0.10 to $0.20 per pound, while the average price for stainless steel is around $0.50 to $1 per pound, depending on the grade and quality. The average price for aluminum is around $0.50 to $1 per pound, while the average price for brass is around $1 to $2 per pound, depending on the type and quality. The average price for zinc is around $2 to $3 per pound, depending on the purity and quality.
- Plastic parts – There may also be plastic parts in your refrigerator that you can recycle, such as doors, panels, drawers, bins, covers, liners, gaskets, seals, etc. These parts are usually made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or other types of plastic. Plastic parts are not very valuable for recycling, as they are abundant and have low prices in the recycling market. However, they can still be recycled to save landfill space and reduce environmental impact. The average price for plastic parts is around $0.05 to $0.10 per pound, depending on the type and quality.
Where to sell your parts
Once you have sorted and weighed your parts from your refrigerator that you can scrap or recycle, you need to find a place where you can sell them for cash or credit. There are different places where you can sell your parts, such as:
- Scrap yards – Scrap yards are places where you can sell your metal parts for scrap. They will buy your parts by weight and pay you according to the current market prices for scrap metal. They may also charge you a fee for processing or handling your parts. You can find local scrap yards near you by searching online or using apps like iScrap App . You should compare different scrap yards by their prices services policies etc before choosing one
- Recycling centers – Recycling centers are places where you can sell or donate your plastic parts for recycling. They will buy or accept your parts by weight or volume and pay you according to the current market prices for recycled plastic or give you a receipt for tax deduction purposes. They may also charge you a fee for processing or handling your parts. You can find local recycling centers near you by searching online or using apps like Earth911 . You should compare different recycling centers by their prices services policies etc before choosing one
- Online platforms – Online platforms are places where you can sell your parts online to buyers who are looking for them. You can use websites like eBay Craigslist Facebook Marketplace etc to list your parts with photos descriptions prices etc You can also use apps like OfferUp Letgo 5miles etc to sell your parts locally.
What to consider before scrapping a refrigerator
Scrapping a refrigerator can be a good way to make some extra cash and get rid of your old or broken appliance. However, there are some things you should consider before doing so, such as:
- The cost and benefit – You should weigh the cost and benefit of scrapping a refrigerator and see if it is worth it or not. The cost may include the time and effort you spend on dismantling and transporting the refrigerator, the tools and equipment you need to use, the fees or charges you have to pay to the scrap yard or recycling center, etc. The benefit may include the money you earn from selling the parts, the space you free up in your home or garage, the environmental impact you reduce, etc. You should compare the cost and benefit and see if they balance out or not.
- The alternatives – You should also explore the alternatives to scrapping a refrigerator and see if they are better or not. The alternatives may include repairing or refurbishing the refrigerator, donating or giving away the refrigerator, trading in or exchanging the refrigerator for a new one, etc. These alternatives may offer you more value or convenience than scrapping a refrigerator. You should compare the alternatives and see if they suit your needs or preferences better or not.
- The risks and precautions – You should also be aware of the risks and precautions involved in scrapping a refrigerator and see if you can handle them or not. The risks may include injuring yourself or damaging your property while dismantling or transporting the refrigerator, exposing yourself or others to harmful substances such as refrigerant gas, oil, or sharp edges, violating any laws or regulations regarding refrigerant recovery, disposal, or reporting, etc. The precautions may include wearing protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and masks, using proper tools and equipment such as pliers, screwdrivers, and cutters, following safety guidelines and instructions from the manufacturer or technician, complying with any laws or regulations regarding refrigerant recovery, disposal, or reporting, etc. You should assess the risks and precautions and see if you can avoid or minimize them or not.
Conclusion
Scrapping a refrigerator is a process of taking apart an old or broken refrigerator and selling the metal and plastic parts to a scrap yard or a recycling center. The amount of money you can get for scrapping a refrigerator depends on several factors, such as the type, size, weight, and condition of the refrigerator, the current market prices for scrap metal and recycled plastic, and the location and policies of the scrap yard or recycling center. In general, however, you can expect to get around $20 to $50 for a standard-sized refrigerator in scrap.
Before you decide to scrap a refrigerator, you should consider some factors that affect whether it is worth it or not, such as the cost and benefit of scrapping a refrigerator, the alternatives to scrapping a refrigerator, and the risks and precautions involved in scrapping a refrigerator. You should also find a place where you can sell your parts for cash or credit, such as scrap yards, recycling centers, or online platforms.
We hope this post has helped you learn more about how much do you get for scrapping a refrigerator and whether it is worth it or not. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.