A kitchen renovation gives you the opportunity to improve the functionality and design of your home. This often includes the repositioning of walls and the install of new appliances. The removal of existing appliances creates white goods removal challenging as old kitchen appliances are bulky and heavy. If more than one appliance is being replaced at the same time, a waste management plan becomes more important.
Renovating your kitchen is an exciting time and the planning of appliance removal can help the process run smoothly, keep the work site clear, and minimize the time unwanted appliances remain in your home.
For the homeowner considering a kitchen renovation, Geelong Skip Bin Hire can help with waste management and white goods removal. Prior to making a booking, the appliances that are being removed need to be identified, the disposal requirements assessed, and an estimate made of the waste to be generated from the renovation.
1. Identify Which Appliances Will be Removed
To begin, make a list of the large appliances that will be removed during the renovation. Not all large appliances will necessarily be removed at the same time, and each may require different methods of disposal.
Some of the large appliances commonly found in the kitchen include:
- Refrigerators and Freezers
- Washing machines and Dryers
- Cook-tops
- Ranges and Ovens
- Range-hoods
- Other large appliances (e.g. water purification systems)
Consider how each appliance will be replaced or removed. An appliance in good working condition may be sold or donated. Damaged or non-functional appliances may require waste management or recycling.
2. Early Preparation for Removal
Making a list early helps to gauge how much space will be required for removal, and whether a Geelong waste collection or similar suitable disposal option is required.
3. Reuse or Recycle
Old appliances can often be reused or recycled. Some can be inoperable but be salvaged for parts by others. Dispose of appliances only after considering all reuse and recycle options.
Some options include:
- Offering working appliances for sale or giving them away
- Giving away or donating appliances that are of use to someone else
- Asking an appliance seller to remove the appliances
- Checking local recycling centers and resource recovery facilities
- Using a waste removal service
For removal of refrigerators and freezers, check with the waste removal service as they may require special handling due to the refrigerants they contain.
If you plan to use hard rubbish collection in Geelong, check their current rubbish collection policies and the items they are currently accepting before putting the appliances out for collection. Collection services often have their own requirements regarding the type and size of appliances they accept.
4. Confirm Appliance Acceptance for Skip Bin Booking
Check with your skip bin service to see what, if any, types of appliances they will accept. Not all skip bins will accept all types of white goods.
Describe the appliances to the skip bin provider and find out if they accept the items, if they need to be removed separately, and if there are special conditions.
This is generally applicable to:
- Refrigerators and Freezers
- Appliances containing Refrigerants
- Large or Heavy Appliances
- Appliances Containing Glass
- It’s possible that something that contains Hazardous Materials
You should verify acceptance of the appliance prior to removing it to prevent unsuitable materials from going into the skip bin.
5. Estimate the Entire Volume of Renovation Waste
In a kitchen renovation, you may be removing other things beyond the appliances like cabinets, bench tops, and tiles. Also, you may be removing other construction materials like packaging, timber, or flooring.
Don’t just focus on the appliances when estimating the waste. Dismantled cabinetry, for example, may take up less space than an appliance.
Other things to take into consideration when estimating your waste may be:
- The Size of Appliances
- Are Cabinetry and Bench tops Being Removed
- How Much Packaging is there
- Are Floor or Wall Tiles Being Removed
- The Size and Shape of Bulky Materials
An accurate estimation will help you select the appropriate skip bin and avoid selecting a bin that is too small.
6. Select the Appropriate Size Skip Bin for Your Project
Skip bin sizes are measured in cubic metres. The size depends on the total volume of waste and the type of waste. It is not just the number of appliances.
Consider your entire renovation when selecting skip bin sizes Geelong. Replacing a couple of appliances creates a smaller waste load than a complete demolition of a kitchen involving the removal of cabinets, tiles and bench tops.
When booking a skip bin, consider the following:
- How many appliances are being removed?
- Will other types of waste be put in the skip bin?
- What are the shapes and sizes of the waste?
- Will there be any restrictions on the types of materials that can be loaded in the skip bin?
Geelong Skip Bin Hire has different options for bins for different kinds of waste. Make sure you check with them regarding the size of the bin and the type of materials that you can put in the bin.
7. Time Your Appliance Removal Correctly
Timing is important during a renovation. If appliances are removed too early, you may be without an essential piece of equipment. Removing them too late can make it difficult for your contractors to do their job.
There are different ways to time your appliance removal depending on your renovation schedule. You may want to arrange removal once your new appliances are delivered, or once your contractors are ready to remove the old ones.
Here is a simple schedule you can follow to ensure your appliance removal is timed properly:
- Confirm which appliances are being replaced.
- Can they be reused or recycled?
- Are skip bin or appliance removal arrangements confirmed?
- When will they be removed?
- Keep the renovation area clear for installation.
You will need to organize bin removal and disposal in advance for the reno.
8. Prepare Appliances for Removal
There are several ways you can prepare the appliances for safe removal.
- Before moving the appliance make sure all shelves and doors are secured, especially if they are fragile.
- Disconnect the appliance from the power source, and water supply if needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions, or seek the help of a professional.
- Be sure to measure doorways and access ways to help determine if the appliance will fit through.
- Remove food and loose items from the appliance, and make other preparations if needed.
- Keep the removal area clear of children and pets.
- Keep appliances, especially large ones, like refrigerators and freezers, upright to prevent spillage.
- Use a professional service to remove the appliance if it is large, heavy, or of a specialized nature.
- Separate white goods from other waste and keep it together prior to removal. This may be appliances, metal, timber, tiles and general waste.
- Make sure you have arranged for the proper disposal of each of the waste types by checking the specific rules of the skip bin company and hard rubbish collection service.
Geelong Skip Bin Hire can help you confirm which waste types are accepted in the selected bin. Normally restrictions will be provided to you but it is always best to check before loading appliances or renovation materials.
9. Plan Skip Bin Placement and Access
A skip bin needs to be placed in an area that provides access for delivery and collection. During a kitchen renovation, the driveway or other access areas may also be used by other trades people and delivery vehicles.
Before arranging Geelong waste collection, consider:
- Whether the bin can be placed on private property
- Whether the delivery vehicle can access the area
- How far the bin will be from the kitchen exit
- Whether the area is level and can take the weight of the full bin
- Whether the bin will obstruct other vehicle and work access
If the skip bin needs to be placed on public land, check whether permission is required. Planning skip bin placement in advance can avoid delays during your renovation.
10. Remove Old Appliances As Part of Your Renovation Plan
It is best to include the removal of appliances at the start of your kitchen renovation plan. Then you can determine what the waste volume will be, check on the requirements for their disposal and time the removal with your renovation schedule.
Once your renovation waste is removed, consider Geelong Skip Bin Hire for the remaining waste. Geelong Skip Bin Hire services the residential and renovation markets, but appliance acceptance needs to be confirmed.
Proper planning will allow your white goods removal in Geelong to align with the other elements of your kitchen upgrade and ensure the work area is organized and prepared for the next phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old refrigerators go in a skip bin in Geelong?
Not all skip bin providers will accept old fridges. They may require special disposal procedures because of the refrigerants and other components. Check with your skip bin provider before placing a fridge in a skip bin.
What is the best way to dispose of an old dishwasher?
A working dishwasher can be donated, reused, or recycled. Check your skip bin provider to see if they will accept it, and also check out appliance recycling and disposal services.
How do I choose a skip bin size for a kitchen renovation?
Figure out about how much waste your renovation will generate, considering the bulk of each item. Check the skip bin provider to see which waste they will accept.
Should I book a skip bin before the renovation starts?
It is a good idea to book the skip bin before the work starts so you can be sure the waste removal fits within the time constraints of the renovation.
Can I use Geelong hard rubbish collection for kitchen appliances?
Hard rubbish collection rules and guidelines may change, and not all appliances may be accepted. You should always check before putting out white goods for hard rubbish collection.
