December 15, 2025
January 19, 2026
Swapping out a fridge or freezer sounds simple – until you’re staring at a 250-lb appliance that can’t go in the garbage. In Toronto and across the GTA, refrigerators and freezers need special handling because they’re heavy, awkward to move, and contain refrigerants that must be handled safely.
You have 4 options for removing and disposing of old fridges and freezers:
- Curbside pick-ups & drop-off centres
- Retailer take-back (haul-away) programs
- Donations (when your unit is actually donate-worthy)
- Book junk removal services
Table Of Contents:
Before You Do Anything: 60-Second Checklist
Option 1: Curbside Pickup & Drop-Off Centres
1. City of Toronto
2. Durham Region
3. Halton Region
4. Peel Region
5. York Region
Option 2: Retailer Take-Back Programs
Option 3: Donating Refrigerators & Freezers
Option 4: Book Our Junk Removal Services
Quick “Which Option Should I Choose?” Guide
Before You Do Anything: 60-Second Checklist
Do this first, no matter which option you choose:
- Empty it completely (food, shelves, bins).
- Defrost it (to avoid leaks and mess).
- Wipe it down (especially if you’re donating).
- Secure/remove the doors (duct tape for private pickup; door removal is often required for curbside set-out – see below).
- Have a helper (fridges tip easily; use a dolly if possible)
Option 1: Curbside Pickup & Drop-Off Centres
City of Toronto
Toronto homeowners can dispose of refrigerators and freezers using the City’s Oversized & Metal Items collection service. Check the City’s Waste Wizard guidance for large appliances, which includes key safety prep – especially around doors and curb placement.
How Toronto curbside pickup works:
- Place the fridge or freezer beside your garbage bin on your regular collection day
- Keep at least 0.5 metres (2 feet) between items
- No booking or tags required
- The service is funded through the City’s annual waste fee (not per pickup)
Set-out times
- Daytime collection routes: Place items out before 7:00 a.m., no earlier than 8:00 p.m. the night before
- Nighttime collection routes: Place items out after 6:00 p.m. and before 9:00 p.m. on collection day
- Winter rule: Never place items on or behind snowbanks
Important Toronto notes:
- Doors must be removed
- Fridges must be empty and defrosted
- There is no fixed limit on oversized items, but very large set-outs may be collected over multiple trips
Toronto Drop-Off Depots (Important 2026 Change)
Starting January 1, 2026, Toronto Drop-Off Depots will only accept recycling from commercial and institutional sources. Residential homeowners should rely on curbside collection rather than depots for appliances.
Durham Region
Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Whitby, Clarington, Brock, Scugog, Uxbridge
- Refrigerators and freezers require scheduled curbside pickup
- Appointment booking is required
- Pickup is free
- Items must be placed at the curb before 7:00 a.m.
- No item limit
- Doors must be removed
Booking is handled through Durham Region or your local municipality.
Halton Region
Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills
- Refrigerators and freezers require scheduled curbside pickup
- Appointment booking is required: may take 1–3 weeks, depending on demand
- Pickup is free
- Items must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m., no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the night before
- Doors must be removed
Booking is available online or through 311.
Peel Region
Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon
Peel Region does not offer curbside pickup for large appliances.
What Peel homeowners must do:
- Refrigerators and freezers must be taken to a Community Recycling Centre (CRC)
- Large appliances are accepted for recycling
- Dedicated loads of appliances and metal are accepted free of charge
- Mixed loads may be subject to minimum fees
Peel CRC locations include:
- Brampton (Chrysler Drive, Railside Drive)
- Mississauga (Battleford Road, Fewster Drive)
- Caledon (Quarry Drive, Industrial Road)
York Region
Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, King, Georgina
York Region appliance disposal varies by municipality.
Common York Region rules for curbside pick-up:
- Pre-booking is required for curbside pick-ups
- Many municipalities use GFL Environmental for collection
- Doors must be removed
- Items must be set out by 7:00 a.m.
Municipality highlights
- Markham & Vaughan: Scheduled pickup with a per-appliance fee
- Richmond Hill, Newmarket, King, Georgina: Booking required; fees and tags vary
York Region also operates waste depots where refrigerators and freezers can be dropped off.
Option 2: Retailer Take-Back Programs (Haul-Away at Delivery)
Many major appliance retailers across Toronto and the GTA offer take-back or haul-away programs when they deliver your new refrigerator or freezer. This option is often the simplest and least physically demanding way to dispose of an old unit, especially if stairs, tight hallways, or heavy lifting are a concern.
How retailer take-back programs work:
When you purchase a new refrigerator or freezer, you can usually add a haul-away service at checkout or during delivery scheduling. On delivery day, the team removes your old appliance and transports it to an approved recycling facility.
In most cases, these programs operate on a one-for-one basis, meaning:
- The retailer will remove one old fridge or freezer for each new one delivered
- The old appliance must be the same type as the new unit
Typical costs and fees:
- Some retailers include free removal with premium delivery packages
- Others charge a flat haul-away fee per delivery
- Installation-based haul-away may be charged per appliance
Fees vary by retailer, delivery package, and region, but they are usually clearly listed during checkout.
What homeowners must do before delivery:
Retailer delivery teams do not disconnect appliances. Before your delivery appointment, you must:
- Unplug the old refrigerator or freezer
- Empty and defrost the unit
- Remove food, shelves, and loose parts
- Clear a safe path from the appliance to the exit
- Ensure doors and hallways are wide enough for removal
Gas appliances (if applicable) must be disconnected by a licensed technician before delivery.
Where retailer haul-away works best:
Retailer take-back programs are ideal if:
- You’re already replacing your fridge or freezer
- You want a single, scheduled solution
- You prefer not to arrange municipal pickup or transportation
- You live in a condo or multi-level home where curbside placement is difficult
Important notes to keep in mind:
- Availability may vary by retailer and model
- Some buildings or delivery locations may restrict removal access
- Programs and fees can change, so always confirm details at checkout
For many homeowners in Toronto and the GTA, retailer take-back programs provide a convenient, low-effort way to ensure old refrigerators and freezers are removed and recycled responsibly on the same day your new appliance arrives.
Option 3: Donating Refrigerators & Freezers
Donation is the best option only if the appliance is still in good working condition.
Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore
Habitat ReStore accepts appliances and resells them to fund affordable housing projects.
What they accept:
- Working refrigerators and freezers
- Clean, odour-free units
- Typically under 10 years old
- No missing parts or heavy rust
Pickup & drop-off options:
- Curbside pickup: FREE (for qualifying donations)
- In-home pickup: Paid service (tiered pricing)
- Drop-off: During store hours
- Central Distribution Centre: 101 Alexdon Road, Toronto (weekday drop-offs)
Eligible donations may receive a charitable tax receipt for the assessed value.
When donation is NOT appropriate:
- The appliance does not cool properly
- Strong odours or visible mould
- Excessive age or cosmetic damage
If it doesn’t work perfectly, recycling is the better option.
Option 4: Book Our Junk Removal Services
If you want the easiest, most hands-off way to get rid of an old refrigerator or freezer – without hauling it to the curb, coordinating municipal pickups, or waiting for appointments – our professional junk removal service is a great solution.
What we do:
Our team will come to your home anywhere in Toronto and the GTA and take care of every step:
- Safe removal from wherever it’s located (garage, basement, upstairs, tight spaces)
- Heavy lifting and loading – no strain on your back or risk of injury
- Responsible disposal according to local rules and recycling requirements
- Fast, scheduled appointments that fit your timeline
This means you don’t need to worry about curbside timing, municipal pick-up dates, or dealing with large, bulky lifts yourself. Our crew brings all the tools, equipment, and manpower needed to make it simple, especially when a fridge or freezer is awkward to move or buried under other items.
Why choose junk removal?
Here’s why many homeowners love our full-service junk services:
- No effort required: Just point to the appliance you want removed, we do the rest.
- No scheduling hassles with the city: You choose an appointment that works for you.
- Safe handling: We move large appliances regularly and know how to protect your home and floors from damage.
- Compliant disposal: Old refrigerators often need proper recycling pathways for metal, plastics, and refrigerants; we ensure they go where they need to go so you aren’t left sorting or hauling.
What to expect
- Simple booking: Call or book online for a date and time that works for you.
- Transparent pricing: You’ll know the cost up front based on the appliances and time needed.
- On-site pickup: Our team arrives prepared to remove your fridge or freezer safely.
- Clean space afterward: We haul the appliance away and leave your area tidy.
Whether you’re clearing out a basement or finishing a renovation, our junk removal service is designed to take the stress – and the heavy lifting – off your shoulders.
Quick “Which Option Should I Choose?” Guide
Choose Curbside pickup if:
- You live in Toronto (or your GTA municipality offers curbside/appointment collection),
- You can prep it safely (doors, clearance, timing).
Choose Retailer haul-away if:
- You’re buying a new unit anyway,
- You want the “one-and-done” option (often the least hassle).
Choose Donation if:
- It’s clean, working, and worth reusing,
- You’re willing to meet acceptance/pickup rules.
Choose Junk Removals if:
- You’re clearing out your home, room or renovating
- Looking for full-service junk disposal
Disposing of an old refrigerator or freezer doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be done correctly. Between municipal curbside programs, regional drop-off centres, retailer take-back services, and donation options, homeowners across Toronto and the GTA have several safe and responsible ways to get rid of unwanted appliances.
To rent a dumpster in Toronto & the GTA, click here!
