How to get rid of a refrigerator in Detroit, MI

Set the fridge at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled bulk collection day, with the doors removed and the refrigerant drained. Detroit collects appliances as bulk items with no booking.

Last checked against the official City of Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW) website. See sources.

Cost
Free on your bulk collection day
Key rule
Remove the doors and have refrigerants drained first
Limit
2 cubic yards and 1,000 lbs per collection

Drop-off hours change Nov 1: Southfield Yard and Davison Yard switch from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. to 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Monday to Saturday) through March 31.

Option 1: City pickup (Curbside bulk collection)

Who can use it

  • Curbside bulk collection is for Detroit households on City trash service.
  • Place bulk items only in front of your own home. Items in front of vacant lots or vacant homes may not be collected and can get you a ticket.

How to book

  1. No appointment is needed. Find your bulk collection day with the City's Waste Pickup Schedule tool, or text your street address to (313) 800-7905 for reminders.
  2. Missed pickup or schedule questions: East and Southwest Detroit, Priority Waste (855) 927-8365; west side, Waste Management (844) 233-8764.
  3. Too much for the curb? DPW offers paid pickup for bulk items. Call DPW at 313-876-0004 for a quote.

Refrigerator rules

  • DPW's 2026 flyer: appliances must have doors removed and refrigerants drained before set-out. The City's Free Dumping page says to properly dispose of refrigerants.
  • Under federal EPA rules, refrigerant must be recovered before final disposal using recovery equipment that meets EPA performance standards.

Setting it out

  • Place items at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day.
  • Keep piles separate; do not mix bulk with yard waste or renovation debris.
  • Limit: 2 cubic yards and 1,000 pounds per collection.
  • Appliances: remove doors and drain refrigerants first.
  • Not accepted at the curb: flammables, explosives, paint, batteries, medical waste, fuel, oil, tires, car parts, needles and chemicals.

Fees and limits

  • Curbside bulk collection within the 2-cubic-yard limit has no separate fee listed by the City.
  • DPW paid pickup for larger loads: price by quote (313-876-0004).
  • Setting out more than 2 cubic yards or 1,000 pounds, or dumping illegally, can bring fines; the City lists illegal-dumping fines of $100 to $10,000.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Detroit residents can bring bulk items, including appliances, to a free DPW yard with ID.
  • Southfield Yard, 12255 Southfield, and Davison Yard, 8221 W. Davison: bulk, recycling and yard waste, free for Detroit residents. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Apr 1 to Oct 31) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Nov 1 to Mar 31).
  • J. Fons Transfer Station, 6451 E. McNichols: bulk and yard waste free for residents; construction and renovation debris for a fee.
  • Bring a driver's license, state ID or Detroit ID. Free drop-off is limited to 1,000 lbs per household per day. No commercial vehicles, household garbage or hazardous waste.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Habitat for Humanity's national guidance: appliances should be less than 10 years old, in good working order, with all parts. Check with your local ReStore first.

Donation rules are set by each charity and can change. Call before you load up.

What we could not confirm

  • The City's pages do not say who can drain the refrigerant, or whether a tag or proof of removal is required. Call DPW at 313-876-0004.
  • We could not confirm whether the free drop-off yards accept refrigerators that still contain refrigerant.
  • City pages disagree on how often bulk is collected. DPW's 2026 Curbside Collection flyer says trash, recycling, bulk and yard waste are picked up weekly; the General Services 'Free Dumping for Detroiters' page and a line on DPW's Bulk & Yard Waste page still say bi-weekly. Check your date in the schedule tool.
  • J. Fons free bulk drop-off hours differ between City pages (the 2026 flyer and the Free Dumping page list 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, the Bulk & Yard Waste page lists Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.). Call DPW at 313-876-0004 before you go.
  • The City's 2026 flyer and the Free Dumping page list different paid-dropoff rates at J. Fons ($95 vs $65 for the first 2,000 lbs), so we leave the rate out.

Common questions

Does Detroit pick up refrigerators?
Yes, as a bulk item on your scheduled bulk day, with the doors removed and the refrigerant drained.
Do I have to remove the refrigerant?
DPW's flyer says to drain refrigerants first. Under EPA rules, refrigerant has to be recovered with proper recovery equipment before disposal; the City does not say whether it wants proof.
Is there a fee?
The City lists no separate fee for curbside bulk within the limit.

Sources

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. We read each page below on that date.

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