Are there laws regarding old freezer disposal?

Federal law requires that all refrigerant and hazardous waste, such as mercury, be drained and properly disposed of before disposing of the old freezer unit. Individual states and districts may have additional laws related to freezer disposal.

Freon and mercury need to be removed from the freezer by a certified technician, and most landfills do not accept used appliances unless proper documentation verifying removal is submitted. Many cities offer appliance recycling programs. These programs collect old freezers from the curb and dispose of them according to all federal and local regulations. There is typically a small fee associated with this service.