Getting rid of an old appliance in Ottawa is more complicated than most homeowners expect. Some appliances have refrigerant that legally must be removed before scrapping. Others weigh 250+ pounds and can't just get carried out to the curb. And most retailers only take away the old appliance if you're buying a new one from them. This guide runs through every household appliance, what your disposal options actually are, and where Base Bins appliance disposal fits in.

The Short Answer

  • Fridges, freezers, AC units, dehumidifiers: refrigerant must be removed by a licensed technician before disposal. Cannot go in a standard dumpster.
  • Stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, water heaters: no refrigerant. Can go in a bin, be scrapped for metal, be donated (if working), or removed by junk removal.
  • Microwaves and small appliances: electronics recycling drop-off, or curbside if under the City weight limit.

Your options for any appliance boil down to five: new-purchase haul-away, junk removal pickup, scrap yard drop-off, retailer take-back program, or donation if it still works. Which one is best depends on the appliance, your access, and your time.

Fridges, Freezers, and Refrigerated Appliances

Includes: full-size fridges, mini fridges, wine fridges, chest freezers, upright freezers, standalone ice makers, window AC units, portable AC units, and standalone dehumidifiers.

Why they need special handling: these appliances contain refrigerant gases — R-134a, R-410a, or older CFCs like R-12 in vintage units. Federal environmental law under the Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations requires refrigerant to be captured by a certified technician before the metal shell is scrapped or landfilled. Venting refrigerant to atmosphere is a per-incident offence with substantial fines.

Your options:

  • Retailer haul-away with new appliance purchase. Home Depot, Best Buy, Costco, Sears (where available), and most local appliance stores will take the old unit when they deliver the new one. Usually included in delivery or a small fee.
  • Base Bins junk removal. Our appliance disposal service handles refrigerant removal properly through licensed technicians and routes the metal shell to a scrapper. Best when you're not buying a replacement or the retailer won't take it.
  • Scrap yard (with certification). Ottawa-area scrap yards accept fridges only after certified refrigerant removal. You'd need to pay a technician separately, which usually costs more than junk removal alone.
  • City of Ottawa HHW depot. Some events accept refrigerated appliances; check the schedule.

What you cannot do: put a fridge in a rented dumpster. Base Bins bins do not accept refrigerated appliances — see our prohibited items guide.

Stoves, Ovens, and Ranges

Includes: electric ranges, gas ranges (disconnected), wall ovens, cooktops, range hoods.

Handling notes: disconnect gas ranges at the valve before removing (or have a plumber do it). Electric ranges just unplug. No refrigerant, no special permit — these can go in a bin.

Your options:

  • Base Bins bin rental. A stove fits easily in an 8-yard bin alongside other renovation debris.
  • Junk removal pickup. Faster if you don't want the bin sitting for 3 days.
  • Scrap yard. Old ranges have decent metal content. Some Ottawa scrap yards will pay per pound.
  • Donation. Working stoves in decent condition can go to Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Check what era they accept — older units often get refused.
  • Retailer haul-away with purchase. Standard on delivery of new range.

Washers and Dryers

Includes: top-load and front-load washers, gas and electric dryers, stackable units, portable washers.

Handling notes: disconnect water lines, drain any remaining water, and disconnect gas or electric. Front-load washers weigh 200–250 lbs and have concrete counterweights inside — they are heavier than they look and hard to move down basement stairs. Dryers are lighter but bulkier.

Your options:

  • Junk removal pickup. The most common route — heavy appliances up and out of a basement is exactly what a crew is set up for.
  • Bin rental. Works if you can get them up the stairs yourself. Both units fit an 8-yard bin.
  • Scrap yard. Good metal content, especially in older units.
  • Donation. Working sets are welcomed by ReStore and Helping with Furniture. Non-working sets — landfill or scrap.
  • Retailer haul-away. With new-appliance delivery.

Dishwashers

Handling notes: disconnect water lines and electric before removing. Under-counter dishwashers usually have brackets to the countertop that need unscrewing. Portable dishwashers just unplug and roll.

Options are the same as washers and dryers. Dishwashers are lighter than washers (usually 70–100 lbs) so they're easier to move by one person.

Water Heaters

Handling notes: shut off water and either gas (for gas heaters) or electric before disconnecting. Drain the tank completely before moving — a full 40-gallon tank weighs 400+ lbs, an empty one weighs about 100 lbs. Rental water heaters (Enbridge, Reliance) belong to the utility and should not be disposed of by the homeowner; call the utility for retrieval.

Disposal: owned water heaters can go in a bin or be picked up by junk removal. Steel tanks are recyclable at scrap yards. Newer tankless units have electronics — treat those as e-waste.

Microwaves and Small Appliances

Includes: countertop microwaves, over-the-range microwaves, toaster ovens, kettles, coffee makers, mixers, food processors, blenders, air fryers, slow cookers.

Handling: most small appliances contain circuit boards and small electronics. Ontario's electronic waste program routes them through certified recyclers.

Options:

  • Electronics recycling drop-off: Best Buy, Staples, and City of Ottawa HHW events accept these.
  • Donation if working. Value Village and The Salvation Army take small appliances in decent shape.
  • Curbside garbage: most small appliances fit City weight and size limits.

Comparing Your Options

Retailer Haul-Away

Pros: convenient (happens the same day as the new-appliance delivery), often included in delivery cost, retailer handles disposal certification.

Cons: only works if you're buying a new appliance from that retailer. Some retailers charge a small haul-away fee. Some limit haul-away to like-for-like (fridge for fridge, not fridge + old range).

Scrap Yard

Pros: potentially small payment for the metal. Environmentally responsible for the metal recovery side.

Cons: requires you to load and transport the appliance yourself. Refrigerated appliances need a certificate of refrigerant removal first. Not a good option if you don't have a pickup truck or trailer.

Junk Removal

Pros: no lifting, no transport, same-day or next-day service. Refrigerant handling is included for fridges. Multiple appliances at once is efficient.

Cons: you're paying for labour. Not the cheapest per-appliance option, but often the fastest and easiest — especially for basement units or heavy front-load washers.

Bin Rental

Pros: cheapest per cubic yard of debris if you have a renovation project producing more than just an appliance. Our 8-yard bin starts at $240 for a 3-day rental.

Cons: bin sits on the driveway for 3 days. You do the lifting. Refrigerated appliances still can't go in.

Donation

Pros: free, and someone else gets to use a working appliance. Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the easiest route in Ottawa. Some organizations pick up.

Cons: only works for units in decent working condition. Charities are picky about age and appearance. Non-working or older units almost always get declined.

Which Option to Pick

  • Buying a new appliance? Take the retailer's haul-away offer.
  • Just replacing one fridge or stove? Base Bins appliance disposal.
  • Full kitchen renovation with multiple appliances plus cabinets and drywall? Rent a 15-yard bin and load everything except the fridge; book junk removal for the fridge separately.
  • Old but working appliance you don't need? Try Habitat for Humanity ReStore first.
  • Multiple heavy appliances in a basement? Junk removal. The physical work alone is worth the crew.

See our bin rental vs. junk removal guide for a fuller comparison of the two Base Bins service options.

What Base Bins Appliance Disposal Includes

Our appliance disposal service handles every step:

  • Same-day or next-day pickup across Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata, Orleans, Gloucester, Stittsville, and Barrhaven.
  • Two-person crew for safe lifting — including down basement stairs and out of upper floors.
  • Licensed refrigerant removal for fridges, freezers, and AC units.
  • Proper metal scrapping so materials get recycled rather than landfilled.
  • Honest per-appliance pricing quoted before pickup. No surprise weight or "specialty item" fees.
  • Fully insured with $2M liability and WSIB compliance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Putting a fridge on the curb hoping garbage will take it. The City won't collect it, and it can trigger a bylaw complaint.
  • Trying to vent refrigerant yourself. Illegal and dangerous.
  • Leaving the fridge doors on for pickup. Remove them for child safety — required by federal law.
  • Not draining the water heater before moving. A full 40-gallon tank is over 400 lbs; drain first.
  • Assuming a scrap yard will take a fridge as-is. Most require the refrigerant removal certificate first.
  • Donating a very old appliance out of guilt. Charities can't move 20-year-old units and end up paying to dispose of them.

Bottom Line

The right appliance disposal path depends on whether the appliance has refrigerant, whether it still works, whether it's part of a bigger project, and whether you can (or want to) lift it. For most Ottawa homeowners with one or two appliances to move, junk removal is the fastest and easiest option. For renovations that also generate cabinets, tile, and drywall, a bin plus one appliance-disposal pickup is often the cheapest total.

Call (613) 518-1508 to book, or get a free quote online. Tell us the appliance(s), the location in the home, and whether you need same-day service — we'll give you a price on the phone.

Related reads: What can't go in a dumpster · Bin rental vs. junk removal · Dumpster rental cost in Ottawa

Disclaimer: All prices mentioned in this article are provided for general reference and informational purposes only. These prices are not fixed and may vary depending on facts, market conditions, location, time, availability, or other relevant factors. Actual prices may change without prior notice.