How to Get Rid of Old Microwave Units the Right Way

That 10-year-old over-the-range microwave clogging up the garage is more than an eyesore. It contains a high-voltage capacitor that can hold a lethal charge for years after unplugging, plus 2 to 4 pounds of circuit boards, copper windings, and steel that have real recycling value. How to get rid of old microwave properly comes down to seven legitimate options — and tossing it in the regular trash is not one of them in most U.S. cities.

Why You Can’t Just Curbside It

Microwaves fall under the EPA’s e-waste category along with computers, TVs, and printers. Twenty-five states — including California, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Washington — ban household electronics from municipal landfills under various electronics-recycling laws. Even where it’s legal, most garbage haulers won’t take a microwave because the high-voltage capacitor and magnetron pose injury and fire risks at transfer stations.

The other issue is the materials inside. A typical 1.6 cubic foot countertop microwave weighs 32 pounds. About 60 percent of that is steel, 12 percent is copper and aluminum, 10 percent is circuit board and electronics, and 18 percent is plastic and glass. Landfilling all that metal is wasteful when recycling pays $4 to $10 per unit at scrap yards.

Option 1: Best Buy In-Store Recycling

Best Buy accepts microwaves at any U.S. store at the customer service desk. The program is free for units under 32 pounds (which covers all countertop and most over-the-range models). Larger built-in units may carry a $30 to $50 haul-away fee. Best Buy has recycled more than 2.5 billion pounds of electronics through this program since 2009, and your old microwave goes to a certified R2 or e-Stewards downstream processor.

Bring the microwave during normal store hours. No box or packaging required. You don’t have to be a Best Buy customer or buy a replacement. Drop it off, leave, done. This is the simplest option for anyone within driving distance of a Best Buy.

Option 2: Municipal Hazardous Waste or E-Waste Drop-Off

Almost every U.S. county runs a household hazardous waste (HHW) or e-waste drop-off site that accepts microwaves for free or a small fee ($2 to $10). Search your county website for “e-waste recycling” or “household hazardous waste”. In larger metro areas like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, dedicated facilities operate 5 to 6 days a week.

Some counties also run mobile collection events two to four times a year. Earth911.com is the easiest way to find drop-off locations by ZIP code. Input “microwave” as the material and your ZIP code, and the database returns the nearest 5 to 10 options ranked by distance.

Option 3: Scrap Metal Yard for Cash

Local scrap yards pay $0.05 to $0.12 per pound for mixed-metal small appliances, plus a separate rate for circuit boards if you part it out. A typical 32-pound microwave returns $4 to $8 cash. Not a windfall, but more than zero.

Search “scrap metal yard near me” and call ahead — not every yard accepts e-waste with circuit boards. Bring a photo ID since most states require yards to document sellers under metal theft laws. The capacitor must remain inside the unit (do not open the microwave to remove parts unless you know how to safely discharge a high-voltage cap).

Option 4: Donate If It Still Works

A functioning microwave is highly desirable to nonprofits, college students moving into first apartments, and refugees being resettled. Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and most local thrift stores accept countertop microwaves in working order. Habitat ReStore is the best pick because they handle larger appliances and offer free pickup in many cities for $25 to $50.

Test the unit before donating. Plug it in, put a cup of water inside, set 1 minute on high. If the water is hot and the turntable spins, it works. Wipe down the inside with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution. Bring the original manual if you still have it, but it’s not required.

Option 5: Appliance Store Haul-Away

If you are buying a replacement microwave, the delivery service can usually haul away the old one for $20 to $40. Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy all offer this on appliances $399 and up. Local appliance stores often include it free with installation of an over-the-range or built-in microwave.

Confirm haul-away is included at checkout, not at delivery. Some retailers only take away the old unit when installing the new one, so a self-install means you keep the old microwave. The fee is well worth it on a heavy over-the-range unit that requires two people and a step ladder to remove.

Option 6: Listing on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist

A working microwave often sells in 24 to 72 hours for $25 to $75 depending on age and condition. Take clean photos showing the interior, exterior, and the model plate. List dimensions, wattage, and any quirks. Set the price 30 percent under retail for a comparable used unit and you’ll get bites fast.

Insist on cash and porch pickup. Never accept Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App for in-person sales — those payment platforms have no buyer protection and scammers are active on Marketplace. A free listing under “appliances” or “kitchen” gets the most views.

Option 7: Manufacturer Mail-In Programs

Some manufacturers run free mail-in recycling programs for their own products. Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag (all Whirlpool brands) offer a small-appliance recycling option through ReWorx. Panasonic, LG, and Samsung also run e-waste mail-in programs, typically with a prepaid label for units under 25 pounds.

Check the manufacturer’s website under “recycling” or “sustainability”. Print the label, box up the microwave with padding, and drop at a UPS or FedEx location. This option only makes sense for small countertop units — heavier microwaves cost more to ship than they’re worth.

Safety Notes Before You Move It

Even unplugged for years, the high-voltage capacitor inside a microwave can store 2,000+ volts. Never open the case unless you know how to discharge a capacitor safely. Lift the unit with two hands, palms underneath, and never carry by the door which can break the latch system. If the microwave is mounted as an over-the-range unit, have a second person support it while you remove the mounting bolts above. Once it’s in your car or on the curb, choose any of the seven options above and you’re done.