Small Appliances Alternative ways to recycle Illegal in Garbage or Drains Contains Mercury Recycle With E-Waste Large appliances can be recycled for free at any of the San Joaquin County facilities. See the list of locations. You can also dispose of appliances for free through the annual Clean Sweep Program, which runs from February through October. Only one free pick-up is allowed per household, restrictions apply. You can also take them to any of these landfills. Consider donating small appliances to a community thrift shop. See the Donation Locations page for more information. Never Throw in the Garbage Small appliances are made from dangerous materials, such as freon, chlorofluorocarbons and mercury. Don’t throw them away because they can leach toxic chemicals into the environment. Medical Devices Are E-Waste Any medical device that is battery powered or that plugs in is an appliance and should be disposed of as e-waste. If the item contains a sharp, a medication, or is otherwise contaminated, it should be disposed of as medical waste. Alternative Ways to Recycle Best Buy's Electronics and Appliances Recycling Program Best Buy will take back fans, vacuums and other home electronics for free. They accept up to three items per day from each household. Best Buy also offers a buyback program for more desired electronics. Find a location here. Ways to Reuse Still Working? Sell It Consider selling appliances in working condition on platforms such as eBay, Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace. You’ll extend the life of your appliance and save some money as well. Donate to Thrift Stores Extend the life of working appliances by dropping them off at a thrift shop that accepts them or giving them away. Did You Know? Absence of Small Appliance Takeback Programs Electronics and small appliances are sold at most box stores, yet few of them offer takeback programs for small appliances. Walmart, Sam’s Club and Target did not have any small appliance takeback programs as of 2015. Best Buy is one of the few shops to take back certain small and large appliances.
