How to get rid of a refrigerator in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio lists large appliances as accepted in its twice-yearly curbside bulky collection, so a refrigerator can go in your bulky pile on your door-hanger date. You can also take it to a free Bulky Waste Collection Center.

Last checked against the official City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department website. See sources.

Cost
No fee for the twice-yearly pickup
Curbside
Large appliances accepted in bulky pile
Drop-off
Bulky Waste Collection Centers accept large appliances

Option 1: City pickup (Curbside bulky item collection (twice a year))

Who can use it

  • For City of San Antonio residential solid waste customers.
  • Drop-off centers are for residential customers only and require a recent CPS Energy bill showing the City's Environmental Fee, plus photo ID.

How to book

  1. No booking for the twice-yearly collection. Watch for the door hanger, or use the City's Find My Collection Day tool for an estimated timeframe.
  2. Questions or no door hanger: call 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000.
  3. Need a pickup between cycles? Request an out-of-cycle collection online or through 3-1-1. The fee depends on pile size; staff give a free estimate, and pickup happens within two working days after payment.

Refrigerator rules

  • Large appliances are on the City's accepted list for curbside bulky collection.
  • Empty it and keep it in your pile of 8 cubic yards or less.

Setting it out

  • The door-hanger date is when to set your pile out, not the pickup day. Collection can take up to a week.
  • Have the pile ready by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week.
  • No more than 8 cubic yards, within 8 feet of the curb, in front of your house, even if your garbage is collected in the alley.
  • Not obstructed, not in front of parked cars, not under low limbs, not on vacant lots or water meters. Keep brush in a separate pile.

Fees and limits

  • The twice-yearly curbside collection has no separate fee listed.
  • A pile that contains brush, is obstructed, or is set out after crews pass can bring a fine of up to $2,000 per day plus a collection and disposal fee.
  • Drop-off centers are free if you pay the Environmental Fee on your CPS Energy bill.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Bulky Waste Collection Centers accept large appliances.
  • Bitters, 1800 Wurzbach Parkway, 78216.
  • Frio City Road, 1531 Frio City Road, 78226.
  • Culebra, 7030 Culebra Road, 78238.
  • Rigsby Road, 2755 Rigsby Road, 78222.
  • Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Bulky items are limited to 4 cubic yards per visit.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStores generally want household appliances that are less than 10 years old, in good working order and complete. Rules vary by store; find yours with the ReStore locator.

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

What we could not confirm

  • The City's bulky pages do not state any refrigerant (Freon) or door-removal rule for refrigerators. Removing or securing the doors is a sensible safety step, but we could not confirm a City requirement.

Common questions

Will San Antonio take a refrigerator with bulky pickup?
Its accepted list includes large appliances. Set it out with your bulky pile.
Do I need to remove the Freon?
The City's pages do not say. Call 3-1-1 if you are unsure.

Sources

Last checked Oct 21, 2026. We read each page below on that date.

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