The part of the process of upgrading your fridge or washing machine that most people often overlook is where to dispose of the old white goods. If you’ve recently upgraded your appliances, you’re probably wondering now how to get rid of your white goods. This guide will talk you through the best options for how to dispose of your old goods, consciously and efficiently.
Old white goods often present the most frustrating removal options for former owners. White goods are usually large and heavy and require more than one person to move or dispose of them. They also can contain some hazardous components and toxins that can be poisonous when simply disposed of in a landfill, so it is paramount to know how to get rid of old white goods in an environmentally friendly way. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get rid of old white goods sustainably, ranging from reselling them to recycling them. No matter the size of the oven, fridge, air-con, or whatever white goods you may have, there is a way of getting rid of old white goods properly.
What Are White Goods?
White goods are larger home appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwash
White goods are larger home appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, and air conditioners designed to make home and commercial life easier. They are typically large and heavy electrical goods for the house that got their name because they were initially only available in white. Nowadays, you can purchase different appliances in various colours, but the name ‘White Goods’ has stuck.
White goods are beneficial in our day to day lives. In the modern day, it’s impossible to get by without a working fridge, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, or even microwave. However, many of these items, especially older models, pose a significant environmental threat when disposed of incorrectly. Older white goods contain many harmful materials that do not break down naturally or can leak toxic gases into the atmosphere. White goods are not under the same waste category as regular rubbish, so answering how to dispose of white goods should only occur after the goods break down or require replacement.
Why Should White Goods Be Recycled?
Landfills are packed with thousands of tonnes of Australia’s waste, and much of this weight is comprised of Australia’s unwanted white goods. Even the most relaxed advocate for nature would agree that this is not great for the environment. For this reason, all households and businesses should know how to get rid of old white goods and why they should be recycled. White goods often contain many parts that cannot naturally decompose. The elements that will decay often pollute the soil and affect the environment, contaminating the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.
White goods, in many instances, can be repaired or disassembled to recover recyclable materials. The materials that cannot be recycled will then be disposed of by the appropriate sustainable companies. This process involves first removing any hazardous materials safely. Materials such as heavy metals, cooling chemicals, and gases need to be managed with extreme care. Metal casings can often be recycled repeatedly to manufacture new products for many old white goods. During the recycling process, white goods are crushed and shredded.
Leftover copper, steel, and plastics are reclaimed and repurposed into new metal and plastic products. In some instances, your old white goods may need to be repaired before beginning their new life. Recycling your old white goods creates a closed loop in the economy and gives these old materials a new purpose. Correct disposal and recycling techniques also keep toxic substances such as flame-retardants from entering the environment.
White Goods Do NOT Belong in Landfill
At Ridly, beyond instructing you on how to get rid of white goods, we are also committed to reducing the amount of rubbish sent to Australian landfills. It is believed that Australians own over 45 million household appliances, and each year around 2.5 million of these appliances make their way to landfills. Homeowners play the most significant role in filling up landfills across the country. However, this also means that as residents, we can play a crucial role in reducing their sizes.
White goods that aren’t recycled or resold are often left to rot in landfills. These landfills have an intensely negative effect on their local and wider environments, sending toxins into the atmosphere and disrupting natural ecosystems.
At Ridly, we are trying to go landfill-free. We take special care in classifying all your white goods individually and endeavour to find a better place than a landfill for them. By developing strategies to better reuse, recycle or donate your old white goods or white goods materials, we are making Sydney a cleaner place and reducing our environmental impact.
Are you still considering dumping your old appliance at the nearest landfill? It is definitely time to revaluate your waste disposal tactics. More often than not, you will be charged for dumping the old white goods at a landfill, and even if you avoid being charged, you are actively contributing to the deterioration of the environment.
When considering how to get rid of old white goods responsibly, you should be aware that many recycling centres will offer you some cash for your old white goods, depending on how much raw material is salvageable. These procedures invariably take up a lot of time and effort, and it isn’t easy to make time within today’s busy work and social schedules. That is why at Ridly, we have our convenient white goods removal Sydney service to meet all your white goods recycling needs. We will come to you and collect your old white goods, where we will then take them to one of the rare recycling facilities where 100% of all the materials received are re-processed and repurposed.
So then, where to dispose of white goods?
Never leave your old white goods just out on the kerb. This benefits nobody and is often a massive headache for local communities and can even result in a fine for dumping. This is not the answer to where to dispose of white goods. Your first port of call should be contacting the manufacturer and see if there is possibly a procedure for trading your old goods in for a replacement. If this is not offered and you need to make room for a new machine, contact Ridly to dispose of white goods properly.
Starting at only $69, Ridly offers an environmentally friendly recycling solution for where to dispose of white goods. For a very competitive price, our recycling service will not only keep your white goods away from landfills, but we will ensure all their parts are recycled correctly. This is excellent value for money, and we take pride in being Australia’s premier rubbish removal service that sorts and recycles everything we collect. Call us on 0491 181 130 or request a quote online for any inquiries about how to get rid of white goods.