Understanding where to dispose of vacuum cleaners makes a massive difference for you, your community, and the planet as a whole. While tossing a vacuum cleaner in the trash can be an attractive option, it’s important to remember that more options are available. At some point in your life, you’ll need to dispose of your vacuum cleaner. This is something that happens to everyone, even if your vacuum is one of the best vacuum cleaners ever. Learning how to do so correctly is crucial.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Several options for disposal are available, and many of them are far more environmentally friendly than just tossing your vacuum in the garbage.
- Choosing to donate an old vacuum cleaner that’s been stored in your apartment can help your community in many ways and should be the priority if donating is possible.
- Curbside collection is a popular disposal method, but if you do not have this as an option in your area, you’ll have to visit a drop-off location.
Where to Dispose of Vacuum Cleaners
If the finest insurance doesn’t cover home appliances, then you’ll need to get a new one and dispose of your current one. Looking into where to dispose of vacuum cleaners can save time and money, especially if you look into curbside pickups. However, there are endless options, and it’s easy enough to find what works for your lifestyle. Before you dispose of your vacuum, ensure you have some other means of cleaning your carpet without a vacuum. You don’t want to have dirty carpets after getting rid of your vacuum.
Options For Vacuum Disposal
There are a ton of options available for the proper disposal of your vacuum cleaner. Whether you choose curbside recycling or visiting recycling facilities near you, make sure you’re doing things correctly.
Recycle Your Vacuum
Proper disposal of electronic products is crucial for keeping landfills as empty as possible. Recycling facilities are happy to take broken vacuums, although this might cost a small fee. The price you pay is well worth it to ensure recyclable materials end up where they’re supposed to.
Order Bulk Trash Pick-U
Bulk trash collection is a service offered through a few different companies. Check with whichever company services your area on trash collection day to see if they provide this service. You’ll have to pay a fee per item, but it is well worth the price if you don’t have time to take your vacuum cleaner to a recycling center or transfer station yourself.
Donate to a School
Many after-school programs and school clubs would love to take a broken vacuum cleaner off of your hands. Science-based camps are the most popular choice. They can do projects for their kids out of it by having them fix certain parts or use it to teach them how vacuum cleaners work. Electronic scrap items are always in demand for HVAC programs at high schools and several other clubs and classes.
Reuse Parts For DIY Projects
While there will always be parts you have no use for, you might be surprised by what can be re-used from a vacuum cleaner. If you have a pool, you might want to think about making a DIY pool vacuum. Reusing parts for DIY projects will be far better for those who enjoy mechanical projects in their spare time. Your goal should always be to reduce, reuse, and recycle. This option satisfies all three.
Other Environmentally Friendly Options
There are a few other options you have that are considered environmentally friendly. They can also be financially rewarding if you know what you’re doing and have a little time on your hands. Here are a few more ideas that can be useful when disposing of your vacuum cleaner:
- Sell vacuum cleaner parts separately
- Take the vacuum to a scrap yard
- Call a donation center to see if they want it
Why Proper Disposal Matters
We all need to do our part to make sure that the world stays healthy, green, and clean. One way to do that is to learn how to dry wet a carpet without a vacuum instead of buying a separate wet vac. Making sure that recyclable materials stay out of landfills is a significant portion of that. Depending on the type of vacuum cleaner, you could also put transfer station workers at risk by putting electronic products in the regular garbage. Battery recycling is done separately for a reason.
F.A.Q.
What do I do with bulk trash items unacceptable for curbside pickup?
If you have bulk trash that cannot be picked up, you’ll need to take it to a disposal location. These are generally referred to as “Transfer Stations,” and they can be located online. Check the collection schedule for more information.
Can My Vacuum Cleaner Be Recycled?
For the most part, you can recycle a vacuum cleaner. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to go with that option.
Can My Vacuum Cleaner Be Recycled?
Making sure that you’re environmentally friendly is crucial as the planet continues to go through changes. Recycling keeps vacuums out of landfills and allows the reuse of their parts.
What to Do with a Broken Vacuum Cleaner?
Always check to see what your warranty or purchase protection program covers if you have either of them. You can take your vacuum to a repair technician or recycle it depending on the damage.
STAT: Globally, only 20 percent of electronic waste is being recycled. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling
- https://www.wikihow.com/Recycle
- https://recyclingpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2020/02/2020-State-of-Curbside-Recycling.pdfr
- https://nerc.org/documents/recycling/BOP_Illinios%20Drop%20Off%20Man_FIN%2011.28.16.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_station_(waste_management)
