How to dispose of a freezer

Why freezers need special handling

Chest and upright freezers contain refrigerant that has to be removed properly before the metal is recycled. That is why towns charge extra for them and why our price is $99 alone or $35 added to a job.

A freezer full of spoiled food

This is one of the most searched questions, usually after a power outage or a long vacancy. Wear gloves and a mask. Bag spoiled food in heavy trash bags, double-bag meat, and put it out on your next trash day or take it to your transfer station. Clean the inside with a mild bleach solution and leave the lid open to air out. If you cannot face it, tell us when you send photos and Caden will price it as is.

Prep steps

• Empty it completely.
• Unplug it a day ahead to defrost, with towels down.
• Tape the lid or doors shut for moving.
• Clear the path, especially basement stairs.

Where it can go

Lewiston residents can take refrigerant appliances to the Solid Waste Facility at 420 River Road. Auburn residents can use Maine Waste to Energy on Goldthwaite Road. Many town stations charge a per-unit fee. Check before going.

Posted prices

Every job starts from the same posted price card. A single item is $64. A small job, up to about 1.5 cubic yards, is $119. A medium job, about 3 cubic yards or roughly a room, is $189. A large job, about 5 cubic yards or roughly a garage bay, is $239. An extra-large job, about 10 cubic yards, is $479, and anything past 10 cubic yards is $45 per yard. A mattress or box spring is $64 alone or $20 each on a job. A washer, dryer, stove or dishwasher is $69 alone and free on a job. A fridge, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier is $99 alone or $35 on a job. A TV or monitor is a $15 add-on. Construction debris is the job price plus 20%. Estate cleanouts start at $499 and hoarding cleanouts at $599. The full list is on the pricing page.

Chest freezers and stairs

Chest freezers are wide and heavy and often sit in basements. Send a photo of the freezer and the stairs.

Selling or giving away a working freezer

A clean, working freezer is easy to pass on through local groups, especially in fall. The buyer does the lifting. If nobody bites in a week, book the pickup.

Mini fridges and wine coolers

Small units still contain refrigerant and are handled the same way: $99 alone or $35 on a job.

Garage freezers

Garage freezers often fail in Maine winters or summers. If the freezer is in the garage, add it to a garage cleanout for $35.

Chest freezers versus uprights

Chest freezers are wide and can be tight on basement stairs and through doorways. Measure the stairway and turns before booking so we know what to expect. Uprights are taller but narrower and usually move on a dolly. Both are priced the same: $99 alone or $35 added to a job.

How booking works

Send photos through the quote form or text them to (207) 333-1422. No card is needed to ask. Caden looks at the photos and sends your price. If it works for you, you pay from the link he sends and that confirms the slot. The price we send is the price you pay unless the pile changes. If you add things after the price goes out, the price is updated before work starts, not after.

Related: freezer removal, refrigerator disposal, appliance removal

Related reading: How to dispose of a mini fridge.