Does Minneapolis pick up old fridges?

Yes, for City customers, on recycling week. Remove the doors first.

Why is it still there after recycling day?

Crews tag recyclable large items and return the next business day.

How to get rid of a refrigerator in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis picks up refrigerators and freezers from City customers on recycling week, with no appointment. Remove the doors, attach a "For Solid Waste" note and set it at the alley or curb by 6 a.m. Crews tag it and come back for it the next business day.

Last checked Oct 30, 2026 against the official City of Minneapolis Public Works, Solid Waste & Recycling website. See sources.

When: Recycling week, by 6 a.m.
Prep: Remove the doors
Limit: 2 large items

Option 1: City pickup (Large item collection (with City garbage service, no appointment))

Who can use it

City of Minneapolis collection customers: your carts say "property of the City of Minneapolis".
If you have dumpsters or carts from a private hauler, you don't have City service. The City says to use Hennepin County's Green Disposal Guide instead.

How to book

No appointment. Set items out on your regular pickup day (garbage day or recycling week, depending on the item). Find your day with the City's pickup day lookup tool.
Missed pickup: call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 the next business day. Misses must be reported within two business days, and crews won't come back if the item wasn't out when they passed.

Refrigerator rules

Refrigerators and freezers go out on recycling week only, with the doors removed.
Crews put a "We'll be back" sticker on it and collect it the next business day. Leave it in place with the sign and sticker until it's gone.
The City takes large metal items and appliances apart and sells the metal for recycling.

Setting it out

Up to two large items per collection day, at the alley or curb line by 6 a.m.
Attach a note to each item that says "For Solid Waste." Unmarked items may not be collected.
Recycling-week items get a "We'll be back" sticker and are picked up the next business day. Leave the item, sign and sticker in place until then.
Don't take furniture apart: broken-down furniture may be tagged as building materials, which the City does not pick up.

Fees and limits

Large item collection is part of City garbage collection. Solid Waste & Recycling fees are on your monthly City utility bill; the large-item page lists no separate charge.
Not collected: building materials, tires, auto parts, dirt, hazardous waste, liquids and railroad ties.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

South Transfer Station (City customers, voucher required): appliances count toward the two large recyclable items per voucher. Extra appliances are $25 each.
South Transfer Station, 2850 20th Ave S: Tuesday to Friday 12:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For City customers only (City garbage or water service). You must call 612-673-2917 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for a voucher before you go; you can't get one on site.
City garbage customers get up to six cleanup vouchers a year, each good for up to two large recyclable items (appliances, electronics, mattresses or box springs) plus up to 2,000 pounds of garbage. Each mattress or box spring counts as one item. Over the limit: $25 per appliance, electronic item, mattress or box spring, plus a $15 administrative fee, billed to the utility account (no cash or cards at the site).
Water-only customers can request a pay-per-use pass: $15 administrative fee, $40 minimum, $25 per appliance, electronic item, mattress or box spring (taxes and fees extra).

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.
When you buy a new refrigerator, ask the retailer whether haul-away of the old unit is offered.
The City's drop-off page points to Hennepin County's Choose to Reuse map for places to sell, donate or repair items.

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 whether refrigerant must be removed before pickup; they only require the doors to be removed.
One City page lists Solid Waste & Recycling office hours as 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; an older City page says 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call during the overlap if you need a voucher.

Common questions

Does Minneapolis pick up old fridges?: Yes, for City customers, on recycling week. Remove the doors first.
Why is it still there after recycling day?: Crews tag recyclable large items and return the next business day.