Why appliances aren’t standard bulky pickup in Denver
Big appliances aren’t treated like other large items in Denver for two reasons. First, they contain metals that the city wants to recycle rather than landfill. Second, refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners contain refrigerants — commonly known as Freon — that have to be recovered by a certified technician before the appliance is broken down.
That’s why Denver runs a separate appliance collection program instead of letting residents set a refrigerator out for the regular trash truck. It’s also why private haulers will typically add a small fee to refrigerator and AC pickups: someone has to recover the refrigerant.
The city’s appliance collection program
Denver’s Solid Waste Management division offers free appliance collection by appointment for residents who are serviced by SWM. The city’s appliance page says collections exist “to ensure that metals are recycled and Freon gases from refrigerated appliances are handled in an environmentally safe manner.”
What the city collects
The official list of accepted appliances:
- Stoves and ovens
- Hot water heaters
- Furnaces
- Dishwashers
- Microwaves
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Air conditioners
- Washers
- Dryers
How to schedule
The appliance program is phone-based. The official page lists one scheduling number: call Solid Waste Management at (720) 913-1311. There’s no online appliance scheduling portal as of this writing.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is tied to SWM service. If you’re a Denver resident in a single-family home or small multi-family building on Denver’s regular trash collection route, you’re typically in. Larger apartment buildings, condos, and commercial properties generally aren’t on SWM service and won’t qualify for the free program.
City appliance collection vs. private hauling
The city’s appliance program is excellent for the right situation. It’s not the right tool for every job.
City appliance pickup fits when:
- You’re a Denver SWM customer (single-family or qualifying small multi-family).
- You can move the appliance to the regular trash-collection point yourself.
- Your timing is flexible — appointments are scheduled, not urgent.
- You have one or a few appliances rather than a full kitchen full.
Private appliance hauling fits when:
- You need it gone today or this week.
- The appliance is in a basement, second floor, or apartment with stairs.
- You’re replacing several appliances at once (kitchen renovation, laundry-room upgrade).
- You don’t qualify for SWM service.
- You want one company to handle the appliance plus other junk — old cabinets, an old water heater, packaging, etc. — in one trip.
What about Xcel Energy’s refrigerator recycling rebate?
Xcel Energy runs a separate refrigerator and freezer recycling program for its customers with a $50 rebate per appliance. If your fridge or freezer is at least 10 years old, working, and in your home, this can be a cheap or even net-positive way to retire it. Eligibility, scheduling, and current rebate amounts are managed through Xcel directly.
Pricing notes for private appliance pickup
Private junk haulers price appliance removal in two ways. Either:
- Single-item pricing, where you pay a flat fee for one appliance. Most providers have a minimum charge in the $95–$175 range for showing up.
- Volume-based pricing, where the appliance is included in a load with other items.
For refrigerators, freezers, and AC units, add an additional $25–$75 surcharge for refrigerant recovery. These are general Denver-area market ranges, not a quote from this site. See the pricing & FAQ page for a fuller breakdown of how junk removal pricing typically works in Denver.