What to Do With Broken Appliances That No Longer Work
Broken appliances can be difficult to deal with since they are difficult to relocate and usually end up taking up a lot of space in the garage. Even putting them on the curb for pick up may be wasteful or even illegal, depending on local disposal rules. However, the old refrigerator or burnt-out dishwasher taking up space in your home can be disposed of in an easy, responsible, and practical way that follows local guidelines and the proper procedure for Virginia Beach bulk pickup and disposal.
This blog describes how homeowners can assess their broken appliances and schedule a trash pickup when needed. Since appliances are large and often contain hazardous chemicals, Virginia Beach law has certain rules for city pickup and private disposal that homeowners need to know to handle their cleanout with fewer risks.
Assess the Condition of the Appliance
Before disposing of a broken appliance as bulk trash, homeowners should first assess its condition. In some cases, a minor fix such as a new fuse or switch can bring the appliance back to life.
Even if the homeowner doesn’t want to repair and keep it, with a little DIY knowledge someone else may be able to use it, donate it to a local hobbyist’s shop, or reclaim the spare parts. Some local repair technicians pay for broken appliances to fix them or harvest them for parts.
Contact Your Local Waste Management Office
In Virginia Beach, bulk trash pickup must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance of the regular weekly trash pickup. Residents should also try to include multiple items on their request, rather than schedule separate requests for each appliance.
Any further questions about specific appliances, pickup procedures, or holiday-related delays can be addressed to the Virginia Beach Waste Management office in three ways:
- Over the phone: 757-385-4650
- In-person: 3024 Holland Road
- By email: WasteMgt@vbgov.com
Due to high call volumes, residents can expect delays when calling the Waste Management office. Collection for appliances can be requested by visiting VB311 without additional service assistance. The needed contact information, dates, and forms are also readily available on the the City of Virginia Beach Public Works website.
Prepare the Appliance for Pickup
Disposing of an old appliance requires more than scheduling pickup services and putting the broken appliance at the curb. Homeowners who fail to follow their city’s specific procedures can risk delayed or cancelled pickups, or even a fine for breaking city ordinances.
Before the appliance is placed at the curb, certain preparations need to be made, including:
- Removing doors
- Removing or taping glass to prevent shattering
- Removing freon, gas tanks, or other hazardous chemicals
- Labeling items as bulk trash
Even if the appliance is properly prepared but isn’t labeled, city waste management personnel may not take it away. They have a responsibility to protect the environment of Virginia Beach from hazardous chemical leaks from freon, propane, and other substances, which can leak during transport or in landfills. Other hazardous and prohibited items include plumbing fixtures, carpeting, paint, tires, and remodeling debris. These items cannot be included with appliances for curbside pickup.
According to Virginia Beach waste management guidelines, the homeowner is responsible for preparing appliances for safe pickup. However, experienced waste management teams can take care of these requirements to make sure the pickup goes smoothly.
Place Items by the Curb
As mentioned before, bulk trash pickup in Virginia Beach must be scheduled three days before regular trash pickup. The broken appliance should be placed on the curbside between 5 p.m. on the day before pickup and 7 a.m. on the pickup day. The items must be placed properly by the curb to avoid pickup cancellations, which means maintaining at least 3 feet of clearance between the appliance and any mailboxes, utility lines and boxes, fences, or vehicles. They also need to be at least 3 feet from the street.
These requirements make sure the pickup can be accomplished safely without the city’s heavy pickup machinery damaging utilities or public and private property. Homeowners are responsible for following these guidelines, but they can be difficult to understand without guidance. Local waste management companies keep track of Virginia Beach bulk trash disposal and pickup guidelines to help homeowners successfully dispose of their broken appliances without delays or fines.
Book Your Virginia Beach Bulk Pickup Today
Broken appliances can sometimes be repurposed, recycled, or sold, but many need to be thrown away. In Virginia Beach, using the city’s pickup services requires following regulations which often prevent many homeowners from doing so successfully. Broken appliances are difficult to carry, and require specific preparations and pickup schedules to avoid delays and fines.
At Full Strut Disposal, we help homeowners dispose of broken appliances in Virginia Beach. We can prepare appliances for disposal, and either set up city pickup or use designated disposal facilities. Contact our team today and request a quote to learn more about the bulk pickup process in Virginia Beach and how our expert waste management services can help.
