5 Easy Ways to Dispose of a Broken Microwave

Whether your microwave just gave up the ghost halfway through nuking a slice of leftover lasagna or you’re simply ready to give your counter space a bit of a glow up, eventually the old metal box is going to have to go. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, your city’s waste laws may make disposing of your old microwave more complicated than simply leaving it with the rest of your curbside trash.

Is it safe to toss an old microwave? Will leaving it on the curb land you in hot water? What are some green ways to get rid of one? With so many questions, disposing of a broken microwave can feel daunting, but don’t worry! These are common concerns, and AppliancePartsPros.com is here to help. We’ve got some tips to keep that old microwave from taking up permanent residence in your storage.

Can You Toss Your Old Microwave in the Trash?

Unfortunately, the short answer is, it depends.

Don’t worry, it’s nothing to do with safety. There is nothing harmful or toxic in a microwave that would require extra precaution when disposing. However, microwaves do contain parts like high energy capacitors, which retain an electrical charge even after the microwave is unplugged⁠—sometimes for days⁠—and some cities will not haul these sorts of items away with ordinary trash.

Rules on appliance disposal vary from place to place. In some municipalities, you can dispose of your microwave as you would any trash ⁠— left on the curb or placed in a dumpster that you have permission to use ⁠— but depending on where you live, there may be special rules in place that prohibit trashing your small appliances this way. Your local government should have information available on the web for how, where, and when to dispose of small appliances. 

Here’s how to look that up: head to your city or county’s .gov website and refer to the public services section or, if one is available, the refuse collection page for details. If microwaves aren’t mentioned specifically, go by what it says for “e-waste” or “small appliances.” They may have specific days designated for bulk trash or small appliance pick up, or designated locations for dropping these items off.

Make sure you look this information up before you toss your microwave to avoid potentially being cited, ticketed, or fined for illegal dumping, or charged an additional hauling fee by waste management. You may be able to avoid unwanted costs by taking the microwave there yourself, so be sure to check online or call your local waste management facility to find out for sure!

Trashing may or may not be most convenient, but ultimately, recycling or donating your old microwave will always be the most environmentally friendly option. It’s legal everywhere, too, so no need to worry about tickets or fines. If you want to know more about these options, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading!

How to Prepare Your Microwave for Disposal

Best practice is to unplug your microwave and leave it for several days (three should be fine) so that the charge in the microwave’s capacitor can dissipate naturally. Even if the microwave is broken, that capacitor can still hold a charge! If your microwave still works and you plan on donating it, give it a good cleaning first. Charities and thrift stores like Goodwill will not accept appliances that still have food material in them. Once that’s done, wind up the cord and you’re ready to go!

How to Dispose of a Broken Microwave

Unfortunately disposing of a microwave that is broken beyond repair is not always as easy as dropping it off at your closest recycling center. A bit of extra research on what’s available to you in your area will be necessary, but we’ve got a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Recycle Your Microwave

   
   If you want to be sure the microwave is recycled, then you should check for dedicated recycling centers in your area and take the microwave to them directly. A Google search for “small appliance recycling near me” should point you in the right direction, but even if there’s nothing nearby, there are sites that can provide you with locations that might not be obvious. Check at websites like recycleplz.com and Earth911 which have listings of facilities that take appliances by city and state. Once you’ve got a location in mind, be sure to call ahead, not just to verify that they do accept microwaves, but to set up a time for drop off, too.
   

2. Return It to the Manufacturer

   
   Manufacturers may have take-back programs for microwaves, so be sure to check the manufacturer website. While some manufacturers will have designated drop-off locations, others require that you ship the product and not all of them will pre-pay for return shipping. Hamilton Beach, for instance, accepts all used and non-functioning appliances, but the customer must handle shipping on their own.
   

3. Have a Large Chain Store Recycle Your Microwave

   
   Some big chain stores like Best Buy will take your microwave if you’re getting a new one delivered, but you will want to research these services a bit further before deciding. Sometimes these services may entail an additional fee, or are only offered to members of premium store programs. The website should also indicate whether or not removed appliances are recycled. Be sure to call your nearest store for specifics, and let them know whether it’s a small microwave or an over-the-range model⁠—this could make a difference in whether or not they’ll take it.
   

4. Scrapping Your Microwave

   
   Local appliance repair shops will sometimes take in microwaves that are broken beyond repair to scrap them for parts. Inquire at small appliance stores in your area to see if this is a service they offer.
   
   Giving away or selling a broken microwave online as scrap via Craigslist or a similar site is possible, just be honest about the state the microwave is in. Putting “FREE” in the subject and body of the listing is sure to get you a load of responses!
   

5. Get It Hauled Away by a Waste Removal Service

   
   Waste removal companies like Waste Management and 1-800-GOT-JUNK will typically haul away microwaves for a fee. This may be more cost effective for you if you are having multiple items removed as they typically charge a flat fee based on how much of a storage bin or truck is filled.
   
   Check your municipality’s website or give them a call to find out if your area participates in a curbside appliance pick up program. Generally these events take place once or twice a month, are free, and are set aside for residents to leave appliances out for pick up and proper disposal. Check to make sure that appliances handed over this way are recycled and not simply dumped.

What to Do if Your Microwave Still Works

1. Consider repairing the microwave if the microwave still works but there are only a couple problems with it. Thrown away microwaves take up a lot of space in landfills, the greenest option for a worn out microwave may be simply fixing the microwave you already have. AppliancePartsPros.com is available to help through a call or LiveChat to troubleshoot any problems your microwave may be having. Microwave parts are easy to find by model number at AppliancePartsPros.com.
2. Donating is the best and most eco-friendly method of disposing of an old (and still working) microwave. A donation center is a quick and easy method of appliance disposal. Make sure all the microwave oven’s parts are accounted for and be sure to clean it out before you drop your microwave ⁠— they may not accept it if there is still food matter inside.
   
   It’s a good idea to call ahead first to check when and where they accept donations, but most thrift stores will have this information available somewhere on their website, as well. Donating is usually as simple as handing the microwave over at a designated unloading area during business hours. Be sure you’re dropping it off directly at a donation center, too. Most charities cannot or will not accept items that do not fit in the bins themselves, and as your nearest donation bin may not be checked every day, a microwave left out in the elements could be broken before it even sees the inside of a thrift store. If dropping the microwave off yourself isn’t an option, thrift stores and other organizations often offer scheduled pick up services. Set a date and a time and someone will be by to retrieve your donation!
   
   Aside from thrift stores, consider local schools, churches and other nonprofits like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and Volunteers of America that may accept used and still functional microwaves. Your local appliance store may also accept old microwaves. Donating like this is a great way to ensure that you’re helping someone in need.
3. Selling your old microwave can be a tempting option, though generally you are unlikely to earn much for your effort. You may have some luck posting a listing to Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, or one of the many app-based options that allow you to sell or trade items directly with other people. Check around for similar listings to get an idea of price, keeping in mind that the cheapest brand new microwaves are usually around $50. If you decide to list your microwave online yourself, whether you’re trying to give it away or sell it, be sure to read up on best safety practices when selling online.
   
   You can always check with friends and family, too! If you know someone who is moving into their first apartment, for instance, they may be on the lookout for useful small appliances on the cheap.

Wrapping Up

From scrapping to selling, there’s a variety of environmentally friendly options available to you when you’re disposing of a small appliance. Now that you’re on the path to getting that old microwave out the door, remember us for all of your appliance help needs. Whether you’re just looking for parts or seeking a specialized do-it-yourself guide, check out AppliancePartsPros.com. We’re always here to help!