Your Guide to Recycling Old Appliances in Australia

The Australian Government is committed to transitioning Australia to a circular economy, where materials are used effectively throughout their lifecycle. It empowered National and state agencies to have a clear mandate, e‑waste and white goods shouldn’t go in your regular rubbish or kerbside recycling bins. Instead, they recommend re‑use, repair and dedicated recycling channels that can safely handle large appliances and electronics. In this guide, we break down what are whitegoods, what you can do when disposing of old appliances and white goods, national recycling schemes, and practical steps before discarding them in Australia.

Why old appliances shouldn’t go in the bin

Did you know that 511,000 tonnes of e-waste were generated in Australia?

From fridges and washing machines to microwaves and mixers, old appliances are part of Australia’s fast‑growing e‑waste stream. They’re packed with metals, plastics and electronic parts that can be recovered and reused, but they can also contain refrigerants, oils and other harmful materials if dumped in a landfill.

E-waste can also cause serious environmental problems due to toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury and arsenic that can pollute soil and water and disrupt ecosystems and our health.

There may be penalties in your state or territory for dumping these products, including outside collection sites and charity bins.

What are white goods?

You may have heard appliances also be known as white goods. What exactly are white goods? Whitegoods refer to large household appliances, generally coated in white enamel. Though they have become available in other colours, the name has stuck. White goods include items such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and ovens.

Reduce, reuse or refurbish

Before you think about scrap metal, ask yourself some important questions.

• Do you need a new appliance?
• Can you borrow or rent this if you are only going to use it a few times?
• Can your existing appliance be repaired or refurbished?
• Can this appliance be reused?

Re‑use extends the life of the materials already invested and can save someone else money.

Options include:

• Donating to charity shops or community reuse centres, where suitable.
• Selling or giving away items via online marketplaces such as Gumtree or local buy‑swap‑sell groups.
• Passing still‑working appliances to friends, family or neighbours who need a starter fridge or washer.

This is often the most sustainable outcome, because it delays the need for new materials and manufacturing.

Council and state e‑waste recycling programs

If your appliance is broken or genuinely at the end of its life, your local council is usually the best starting point. Councils across Australia run various programs for e‑waste and white goods:

• Resource recovery centres: Cities like Brisbane accept both small appliances (toasters, microwaves, printers) and large ones (fridges, washing machines, dryers) at dedicated centres, often with specialised recycling facilities and sometimes free drop‑off for residents.
• Kerbside hard‑rubbish collections: Many councils schedule bulk collection days where you can place white goods on the verge; some send these items to recyclers, others to landfill, so it’s worth checking your council’s policy.
• State e‑waste rules and drop‑off maps: Sustainability Victoria, for example, advises that e‑waste must not go in kerbside bins and maintains interactive maps and lists of approved drop‑off points for electronics, batteries and white goods.

These options are handy for households without a trailer or ute, and they ensure appliances are handled in accordance with local regulations.

National recycling schemes to know

Australia also has several industry‑funded programs that make it easier to dispose of specific types of e‑waste:

•  In 2011, the Australian Government established the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS), which enables everyone to recycle their waste for free. The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS)  is a co-regulatory scheme. It offers free drop‑off points for old TVs, computers and accessories.
• MobileMuster takes all brands of old mobile phones, batteries and chargers at participating retailers and collection points. It is managed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA)
• B‑cycle is Australia’s official battery stewardship scheme. It is a Government-backed scheme, run by the Battery Stewardship Council, and authorised by the ACCC. It has free drop‑off points for a wide range of household batteries. You can also recycle old batteries at major retailers like Aldi, Woolworth’s and Officeworks. Never put batteries in your household recycling or rubbish bin. They can produce sparks that may start fires.

These programs don’t cover large appliances directly, but they’re ideal for the smaller devices and accessories that often pile up once you start decluttering.

Recycling white goods and large appliances

While there isn’t a single national scheme for fridges, freezers and washing machines, they can still be recycled through a mix of commercial and local options.

• Commercial recyclers that accept whitegoods to recover metals and other materials, sometimes claiming up to 95% material recovery.
• Company take‑back schemes, where brands or retailers collect old goods as part of delivery or installation and send them to approved recyclers.
• Council disposal and verge collections, which may go to recyclers or landfill, depending on the area.

Metal from white goods can be recycled repeatedly, so steering old appliances into these streams rather than landfill helps conserve resources and reduce emissions.

Tip: You can use Recycle Mate to find your nearest e-waste recycler in Australia.

Retailer removal and trade‑in schemes

Many major retailers now offer removal, recycling or trade‑in services when you buy a new appliance:

• Some online and big‑box retailers will take away your old fridge, washer or dryer at the time of delivery, often at no extra charge, and send it to recycling partners.
• Certain organisations and member programs offer cash rebates or discounts on new efficient fridges, freezers and dryers, which can make upgrading more affordable.
• Government and utility‑backed schemes sometimes subsidise upgrades, such as programs that help low‑income households swap top‑loading washing machines for efficient front‑loaders.

When you’re shopping, it’s worth asking:

• Will you take my old appliance away?
• Is there a recycling or trade‑in option attached?
• Are any rebates or efficiency upgrade schemes available in my state?

These questions can turn an old appliance problem into a more cost‑effective upgrade pathway.

How trade‑in and upgrade schemes help

Trade‑in programs don’t just solve the disposal hassle; they can shift households towards more efficient technology. Energy agencies note that newer appliances often use significantly less electricity and water than older models, especially in categories such as fridges, dryers and washers.

By combining trade‑in credits, store promotions and government rebates, you can:

• Reduce the upfront price of a new, efficient appliance.
• Ensure your old unit is collected and processed responsibly.
• Lower your long‑term running costs and environmental footprint.

This is particularly valuable when an old appliance is failing or clearly inefficient, such as a power‑hungry fridge or a dryer that sees heavy use over winter.

Tips for recycling at home

The Australian Government has committed to investing $250 million to support recycling facilities nationally.

When we recycle right, materials can be reused, repurposed and made into something new.

This often means that:

• Fewer materials go to landfill
• Less pressure on the environment
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• A boost to the circular economy

The ARL (Australasian Recycling Label) is a label that provides easy-to-understand instructions for recycling packaging.

There are 3 versions of the label:

• Black recycling labels show packaging that can be recycled through your kerbside bin
• White recycling labels give you extra instructions for recycling
• Garbage can labels show packaging that is not recyclable

Practical steps before you say goodbye

Whatever disposal option you choose, there are a few practical steps that make life easier for recyclers and collection crews:

• Disconnect and clean the appliance, removing food, detergent and lint.
• For fridges and freezers, remove or secure doors so they can’t trap children or animals.
• Check what your council, recycler or retailer accepts and whether you need to book in advance or show proof of residency.

Doing this helps keep collection points safe and reduces the chance your appliance is rejected at the gate.

Old appliances don’t have to end up on the kerbside or in landfill. Between council resource recovery centres, national e‑waste schemes, commercial recyclers and retailer trade‑in programs, Australian households have more options than ever to pass on, recycle or responsibly retire white goods. Next time you upgrade, look for removal and recycling services at checkout;  they’re often included and make it easy to do the right thing.

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If you’re updating your home in Australia, reuse or donate old appliances where possible, then tap into council e‑waste programs, commercial recyclers and retailer trade‑ins to handle the rest. This alternative is great for decluttering without wasting valuable materials.