It’s finally happened: your trusty old lawn mower has broken down or is being replaced by a brand-new model. So, how are you going to dispose of your old lawn mower?
Depending on its type and size, it can be pretty challenging to get rid of your old lawn mower – the bulkier it is, the more difficult it will be to dispose of it.
Having helped many of our customers clear out their green waste and broken or unwanted grass-cutting machines appropriately, we’re here to offer our professional take on the right approach for old lawn mower disposal, as well as provide a few alternatives to simply throwing it away.
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As we mentioned earlier, there are some alternatives you can consider to tossing out your old lawn mower into the bin.
If your lawn mower is still working (and in fairly good condition thanks to regular maintenance), you could extend its lifespan by selling it to someone else. Doing so can net you some money as a bonus, and you’ll be doing the environment a favour by ensuring that the resources that went into making the lawn mower get used to their fullest extent. Not in it for the money? Consider donating your old lawn mower instead of selling it!
Should your lawn mower be inoperable due to a faulty part or component, you might still be able to get some value out of its parts. Much like a vehicle, most lawn mower parts can be replaced to keep them working, and you could dismantle your lawn mower to sell its working parts.
For lawn mowers that are beyond any salvaging, recycling is the way to go. Most recycling centres near you will have the capability to process lawn mowers, but this will typically require you to transport your old lawn mower by yourself to them.
Be sure to contact the recycling centre before dropping it off to better understand the appropriate steps you need to take, such as draining the lawn mower of the leftover fuel or removing its batteries.
Lawn mowers mainly consist of metal, which can be processed at a scrap yard. By selling your old lawn mower for scrap, you can earn a little money while ensuring that it doesn’t collect rust in your shed or, worse, end up illegally dumped on the side of the road.
Lawn mowers are heavy-duty pieces of equipment that can take up a lot of storage space and may even pose health or environmental hazards if not disposed of properly.
The metal parts of a mower will rust over time. Rusty parts are more prone to break apart and are dangerous to handle, which is why you should dispose of them as soon as possible instead of leaving your mower around on your property.
Aside from that, some mowers have batteries and electrical components that may leak as they degrade, releasing harmful chemicals that can poison the environment and pose a threat to human health.
You may also be tempted to leave your old lawn mower on the curb or illegally dump it somewhere else – we strongly advise against this. Not only will you incur heavy fines of up to $250,000, but you will also be putting the environment and others at risk.
So, what is the proper way to dispose of an old lawn mower?
It depends on the type of lawn mower. Modern models come in many makes and can either be powered by gas, electricity, or physical movement, and each of them will require different methods of disposal.
Having said that, here are some tips that apply to all types of disposal processes:
Depending on their type, some lawnmowers will need some preparation before you can dispose of them at recycling centres or scrapyards.
Large ride-on or drive-type mowers are simply too massive to carry by hand and will need to be taken apart into smaller parts for transport. Unless you’re a skilled mechanic or know how to safely dismantle them, you’re better off enlisting the help of someone who is before disposing of them.
Electric (cabled) and battery powered lawn mowers should be dismantled to separate the electrical and mechanical components. Batteries fall under the umbrella of e-waste and must be disposed of appropriately to ensure that any toxic substances found in the battery cannot cause harm to the environment.
The key part of disposing of petrol-powered lawn mowers is to extract the excess fuel from the machine. Leftover fuel, no matter how little in volume, is extremely flammable and poses a fire risk if not removed prior to disposal.
Proper disposal of your old lawn mower is no walk in the park; you’ll need to be extra careful to ensure that it’s prepared accordingly, and even then, the loading and transportation of it will be both difficult and time-consuming. It’s one of the reasons why so many Aussies opt for a professional rubbish removal service to take care of the entire process, from collection to disposal.
If you have an old lawn mower that needs disposal, consider letting us help you with it. Our Ridly rubbish removal services are available any time of the week, even on the same day that you contact us – we can collect it from your property and dispose of it in a safe and responsible manner for your convenience and peace of mind.
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