Fridges are different to the average piece of household rubbish, mainly because of their large size and weight. Disposing of a fridge requires a degree of planning, particularly if you are planning a number of waste removals or skip bin removals.
You need to be certain how to dispose of the fridge before making other arrangements. Planning the disposal of the fridge will usually require you to take other factors into consideration, including the extent and timing of your waste removal.
You should consider the following when disposing of your fridge:
- The condition of the fridge.
- The size of the fridge.
- Whether it is still functional.
- The method that will be used to transport the fridge.
- The arrangements that your waste removal contractor has in place for the disposal of the fridge.
- The other items that will be removed at the same time.
- The capacity of skips and other waste removal vehicles.
The above considerations will assist you to make appropriate arrangements.
1. Fridge Placement
Not all skip bins can take all types of waste. You can’t assume that an old fridge can be thrown in with other trash.
The conditions that determine whether a refrigerator can be discarded change from waste management service to service. It is best to contact the service you are using to confirm that the conditions allow for the removal of your old fridge.
When contacting the service, determine if:
- Refrigerators can be discarded in any waste stream.
- Additional conditions exist.
- Additional charges apply.
- Additional or special efforts are required to prepare the refrigerator for disposal.
- There are conditions that must be met for the service to take the refrigerator.
You should confirm the above conditions before the skip is delivered. It is difficult to determine if there are conditions that prohibit disposal of the refrigerator only when the skip is delivered.
2. Remove All Food and Contents
The entire contents of a refrigerator can include food, beverages, and other perishables.
The areas that can store food include the shelves and drawers and also compartments in the doors.
If there is a freezer compartment, it should also be emptied.
By removing all the food and other contents, it can also help you prepare the other things you wish to discard as part of your waste removal service.
3. Check if Still Functional
Disposing an appliance should be the last step. You should consider other options if the fridge is still working.
There are many charities and organizations that accept used appliances.
To better estimate the volume of rubbish you want to dispose of, decide which appliances you will get rid of before planning your major clean-up.
For projects involving multiple appliances, determine which, if any, of the removed appliances still have useful life and, therefore, should not be disposed of as white goods.
4. Determine How the Fridge Will Be Removed
The size and weight of a refrigerator often makes it difficult to move through doors and other obstacles.
Movement of the refrigerator should only be attempted after determining how it will be transported from its location to the collection point.
You should consider the:
- Width of doorways
- Location of stairs and other obstructions
- Length of route to the collection point
- Amount of aid, if any, that will be available
It is best to determine how the appliance will be removed from the property before the date of collection.
5. Consider the Other Waste You Will Be Disposing of
An old refrigerator may be just one of many types of waste generated during a house move or other major change, including:
- Packaging
- Household Furniture
- Other Household Items
- Cabinets and Fixtures
- Other Appliances
- Building and Renovation Materials
If you are considering a complete property clean-up, you should take into consideration all the waste generated during your clean-up, including materials generated during a house move, to determine if a skip is appropriate and what size skip you may need.
6. Not All White Goods are created Equal
Not all white goods are removed in the same load. A refrigerator may be removed with a washer and dryer, but that doesn’t mean a dishwasher or oven should be as well.
When arranging for white goods removal Geelong, ensure the company knows the specific goods to be removed.
Your list may include:
- Washer
- Dryer
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Dishwasher
Making a list helps to avoid guess work.
7. Decide What you are Disposing of First
If a skip bin forms part of your clean-up, avoid selecting the size before you understand everything that needs to go.
Large appliances can consume significant space. Furniture and other bulky household items can also create gaps that affect usable capacity.
When considering Geelong skip bin hire, think about the entire project:
- How many bulky items are there?
- How much general rubbish is being removed?
- Are renovation materials involved?
- Are there multiple white goods?
- Will more waste be generated as the project continues?
The appropriate bin should reflect both the amount and type of waste.
8. Keep Mixed Waste Separated
It may be second nature to put all the waste you have into the skip bin first, but if you aren’t sure what you can put in the bin, it is best to leave it separated.
This is especially true if the waste contains a lot of different types of goods.
Processing waste removal in Geelong can become quite complicated when there are several different waste streams. It is important to take the time to sort through the waste, as you are more likely to communicate your waste stream requirements to the service provider and therefore reduce the likelihood of inappropriate waste being placed in the skip.
Plan Old Fridge Removal as Part of Your Clean Up
Old fridges should be processed as part of your clean up, not at the end. Compared to other waste, old fridges take up a lot of space and therefore need to be planned for. Old fridges should not be left until the end of the clean up. Plan for their removal as early as possible.
The same reasoning can be applied to other large waste items such as furniture or building materials. Consider all waste streams before requesting rubbish removal in Geelong.
White goods should be removed as part of a larger property cleanup.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I put an old fridge in a skip bin?
Acceptance can depend on the provider and waste category. Always confirm that refrigerators are accepted before placing one in a skip.
2. What should I do before disposing of an old fridge?
Empty the fridge completely, identify whether it still works, plan how it will be moved and confirm the disposal requirements with your waste provider.
3. Can Geelong skip bin hire remove white goods?
If agreed by us, white goods along with the correct type and volume of other waste may be able to be removed using skip bin hire.
4. Can I select a skip bin based on the volume of my fridge?
Probably not. You need to consider the total volume of waste that will be produced including bulky household items.
5. Which other items are considered white goods?
Items such as household ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers are also considered white goods. Other items may also require special removal consideration.
6. When looking for waste removal services, what should I assess?
Assess what types of waste are allowed, the available bins, and the items the service will be able to assist with removal.
7. Why should I arrange for the removal of white goods prior to my clean up?
When the removal of the white goods has been arranged you can then establish the other waste removal requirements.
