If you are replacing your kitchen garbage disposal, you might be wondering what to do with the old one. Throwing it in the trash is not the answer, and in many areas it is actually not allowed. Learning how to recycle an old garbage disposal is easier than most homeowners think.
Garbage disposals are packed with recoverable metal that recyclers want. Copper wiring, aluminum housings, and stainless steel grinding components all have value beyond your kitchen sink. This guide walks you through every option, from scrap yards to donation, so you can keep your old unit out of a landfill.
Our team has researched recycling programs, scrap yard policies, and real homeowner experiences across multiple cities. Here is everything you need to know to handle your old disposal the right way in 2026.
Table of Contents
What Materials Are Inside a Garbage Disposal?
Before you decide where to take your disposal, it helps to understand what it is made of. A typical garbage disposal contains a surprising amount of recyclable metal.
The motor inside your disposal contains copper wiring, which is one of the most valuable scrap metals you can recycle. Copper conducts electricity efficiently, and recyclers pay good money to recover it from old appliances. A single garbage disposal motor can contain several ounces of copper winding.
The outer housing is usually made from aluminum or galvanized steel. The grinding chamber and flywheel often use stainless steel for corrosion resistance. Together, these metals make a garbage disposal worth more to a recycler than you might expect.
There is also a small amount of electronic waste inside. The capacitor and any circuitry fall under e-waste categories. This is why some recycling facilities treat garbage disposals similar to small appliances rather than pure scrap metal.
Safety First: Disconnect Before You Do Anything
No competitor in this space talks about safety, and that is a real problem. Removing a garbage disposal involves both electrical and plumbing connections, and skipping safety steps can lead to serious injury.
Always shut off power at the circuit breaker before touching your disposal. Do not rely on the wall switch alone, because a wiring fault could leave power running to the unit. Use a voltage tester to confirm the power is truly off before you start disconnecting wires.
Turn off the water supply valves under your sink as well. Place a bucket underneath the disposal to catch any water trapped in the pipes. Even a small amount of residual water can make a mess under your cabinet.
Wear work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges inside the grinding chamber. The flywheel and impellers can cut skin even when the unit is unplugged. Safety glasses are also a good idea since you will be working overhead.
How to Remove a Garbage Disposal Yourself
You do not need to hire a plumber to remove your old disposal. Most homeowners can handle this job in under an hour with basic tools. Here is how our team approaches it.
Tools You Will Need
Gather a screwdriver, channel-lock pliers, a bucket, and a rag before you start. Some models also require a wrench that came with the original installation kit. If you do not have the wrench, an Allen wrench of the right size usually works.
Removal Steps
First, disconnect the dishwasher hose if your disposal has one attached. Loosen the clamp with pliers and pull the hose free, then point it upward to prevent drainage.
Next, twist the mounting collar counterclockwise to release the disposal body from the sink flange. Most units use a quarter-turn bayonet mount, so a firm twist is all it takes. Support the unit with one hand as you twist because it will drop free suddenly.
After the unit is down, disconnect the electrical wiring. Cap the wire nuts and tuck the wires safely aside. Now your disposal is ready for recycling.
How to Recycle an Old Garbage Disposal?
Here is the step-by-step process to recycle an old garbage disposal responsibly. Follow these steps to find the right facility near you.
Search Earth911.com for local options. Go to earth911.com, enter your zip code, and search under the “metals” category. The site pulls from the largest curated recycling directory in the United States and will show you nearby facilities that accept small appliances.
Call 1-800-CLEANUP for guidance. Dial 1-800-CLEANUP to reach a hotline that connects you with local recycling information. Tell them you have a garbage disposal, and they will point you to the nearest accepting facility.
Check with your local metal recycler. Metal recyclers accept garbage disposals because the copper and steel inside have salvage value. Call ahead to confirm they take small appliances and ask whether they pay for the metal.
Visit your county recycling center. Most county-run full-service recycling centers have a scrap metal pile where you can drop off appliances. Many Reddit users report this is the easiest option because there are no restrictions and no fees.
Take it to an e-waste facility. If your area has a dedicated electronics recycling center, they will accept garbage disposals as small appliances. This is a good option if your disposal has significant electronic components.
Look for special collection events. Many cities host annual or quarterly household hazardous waste and appliance collection events. Check your municipal website for upcoming dates.
Any one of these options keeps your disposal out of a landfill. The best choice depends on what is available in your area and whether you want to earn a few dollars from the scrap value.
Can You Get Money for Scrapping a Garbage Disposal?
Yes, you can make money scrapping a garbage disposal, though the amount is modest. Scrap yards pay based on the weight and type of metal you bring in.
The copper wiring inside the motor is where most of the value sits. Copper prices fluctuate, but even a small motor winding can earn you a dollar or two. The aluminum and steel add a bit more depending on current market rates.
Real experiences from Reddit users in multiple cities confirm that scrap yards do take garbage disposals. Users in Denver, Santa Rosa, and Charlotte all report successfully dropping old disposals in the scrap metal pile at local recycling centers.
Call your local scrap yard first to ask about current rates and whether they require you to separate the metals. Some yards pay more if you strip the copper wiring out yourself, while others accept the unit whole and sort it internally.
Keep your expectations realistic. You will not retire on scrap money from one disposal, but you might earn enough for a cup of coffee while doing something good for the environment.
What to Do If Your Disposal Still Works?
Not every old disposal is broken. If yours still runs fine and you are simply upgrading, donation is a better option than recycling.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations accept small working appliances in many areas. Call your local ReStore to confirm they take garbage disposals before driving over. They resell donated items at a fraction of retail prices, which helps families on tight budgets.
Local theater groups and community workshops sometimes need working motors for projects and props. A functional disposal motor has value beyond grinding food waste.
You can also list a working disposal on Freecycle, Craigslist, or Buy Nothing groups in your neighborhood. Someone renovating a rental property or replacing a dead unit might happily take it off your hands.
Donation extends the life of the appliance and delays the recycling process until the unit is truly at end of life. That is the most sustainable outcome of all.
FAQs
Can I throw away an old garbage disposal?
You should not throw a garbage disposal in the regular trash. Most municipal waste programs do not accept appliances containing metal and electronic components. Many areas have specific rules against disposing of small appliances in curbside garbage. Instead, take it to a metal recycler, county recycling center, or e-waste facility.
Do garbage disposals have copper inside?
Yes, garbage disposals contain copper wiring inside the electric motor. The motor winding uses copper because it is an excellent electrical conductor. Disposals also contain aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. All of these metals are recyclable and valuable to scrap yards.
Do scrap yards take garbage disposals?
Yes, most scrap yards accept garbage disposals. They classify the unit as mixed scrap metal or small appliance scrap. Some yards pay a small amount based on the weight of recoverable copper, aluminum, and steel. Call ahead to confirm acceptance and ask about current scrap metal prices.
How hard is it to get rid of a garbage disposal?
Getting rid of a garbage disposal is straightforward. Removing the unit from under your sink takes about an hour with basic tools. After removal, you can drop it at a county recycling center, scrap yard, or e-waste facility. Searching earth911.com or calling 1-800-CLEANUP will help you find the nearest accepting location.
What to do with old garbage disposals?
If the disposal still works, donate it to Habitat for Humanity ReStore or list it on Freecycle and Buy Nothing groups. If it is broken, take it to a metal recycler, county recycling center, or e-waste facility. You can also scrap it at a local salvage yard for a small payment based on the metal content.
Wrapping Up
Knowing how to recycle an old garbage disposal gives you multiple paths to do the right thing. Whether you drop it at a county recycling center, sell it to a scrap yard, donate a working unit, or use earth911.com to find a local metal recycler, every option keeps recoverable materials out of a landfill.
Start by disconnecting the unit safely, then use the steps above to find your nearest accepting facility. Call 1-800-CLEANUP or search earth911.com with your zip code to get specific locations near you. It takes less effort than you think, and the copper, aluminum, and steel inside your old disposal will find new life instead of sitting in a dump for decades.