Appliance Disposal in Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Where to dispose of refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers, dryers, and other appliances
Last Updated: August 2026
Quick Answer
Need to get rid of an old appliance in Tippecanoe County? The correct disposal method depends primarily on whether the appliance contains—or has contained—refrigerant.
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers: These require special handling by a certified technician or appliance recycler because the refrigerant must be properly removed.
Lafayette: The city collects many non-refrigerant appliances during regular weekly trash pickup.
West Lafayette: Some appliances may qualify as the one large item allowed with regular trash service, but refrigerators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers are specifically excluded.
Do not take a refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier to the county household hazardous-waste drop-off. That facility does not accept appliances containing refrigerant.
Refrigerators, Freezers & Air Conditioners
Appliances containing refrigerant require special disposal. This includes:
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Window and other air-conditioning units
- Dehumidifiers
The refrigerant must be removed by a certified technician before the appliance can be recycled as scrap metal.
Tippecanoe County’s current disposal directory lists local businesses that can handle refrigerant appliances.
Find Refrigerant Appliance Disposal Options
Fees may apply for pickup, refrigerant removal, and disposal.
Lafayette Appliance Pickup
The City of Lafayette collects used appliances during regular weekly trash pickup unless the appliance contains or has contained refrigerant.
Eligible appliances should be placed out for large-item collection on your normal trash day.
The city does not collect refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, or other appliances that contain or previously contained refrigerant.
Large items are collected by a separate truck, so they may be picked up later than your regular trash.
View Lafayette Appliance Disposal Information
West Lafayette Appliance Disposal
West Lafayette residents receiving city trash service may place one large item out in addition to their approved trash container.
However, the city specifically does not accept refrigerators, air conditioners, or dehumidifiers with regular trash collection.
Other excluded items include televisions, computers, tires, hazardous chemicals, lithium-battery items, contractor waste, and certain construction materials.
View West Lafayette Trash & Large Item Rules
If you’re unsure whether a particular appliance qualifies as your large item, contact the city before setting it out.
Washers, Dryers, Stoves & Other Large Appliances
Large appliances that do not contain refrigerant, such as many washers, dryers, ovens, ranges, and similar appliances, have more disposal options.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to:
- Use your municipal large-item collection
- Arrange pickup through a private waste hauler
- Ask the retailer delivering your new appliance about old-appliance removal
- Take recyclable metal appliances to an appropriate scrap-metal recycler
Always check acceptance requirements before transporting a large appliance.
What About the Tippecanoe Trash Transfer Station?
Do not assume the Transfer Station accepts every type of appliance.
Tippecanoe County specifically directs residents with refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers to vendors certified to reclaim refrigerant and recycle the appliance.
The county’s disposal resources are the best place to check current options for unusual items.
Search Tippecanoe County Disposal Options
Small Appliances & Electronics
Some smaller appliances contain electronic components and may have different recycling options than large household appliances.
Tippecanoe County provides an Electronics Recycling Guide for items such as televisions, computers, monitors, printers, microwaves, and other electronic devices.
View Tippecanoe County Electronics Recycling Guide
Do not take refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners or dehumidifiers to an electronics recycling event. Appliances containing refrigerant are excluded.
Local Tips
- Check for refrigerant first. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers need special handling.
- Lafayette residents should check city pickup before paying someone to remove a non-refrigerant appliance.
- If you’re buying a replacement appliance, ask the retailer whether haul-away service is included or available for an additional fee.
- Don’t take a refrigerant appliance to the Transfer Station or an electronics event without checking first.
- Call before transporting a heavy appliance to a recycler or disposal facility. Acceptance rules and fees can vary.
- If an appliance still works, consider selling or donating it rather than disposing of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Lafayette pick up an old appliance?
Yes, Lafayette collects many used appliances during weekly trash pickup. However, the city will not collect anything that contains or has contained refrigerant, including refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.
Can I put a refrigerator at the curb?
Not for regular Lafayette or West Lafayette collection. Refrigerators contain refrigerant that must be properly reclaimed before the appliance is recycled or disposed of.
Where can I dispose of a refrigerator in Tippecanoe County?
Use a certified refrigerant appliance service or recycler. Tippecanoe County maintains current disposal information for refrigerators and other refrigerant-containing appliances.
Will West Lafayette take an old appliance?
West Lafayette allows one large item with regular trash service, but its current rules specifically exclude refrigerators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Check with the city if you’re unsure whether another type of appliance qualifies.
Can I take a refrigerator to the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off?
No. Tippecanoe County’s Household Hazardous Waste program specifically states that it does not accept appliances with Freon/refrigerant.
What should I do with a washer or dryer?
Washers and dryers do not normally contain refrigerant. Depending on where you live, municipal large-item collection, a private waste hauler, retailer haul-away, or scrap-metal recycling may be available.
Does appliance disposal cost money?
It depends. Municipal collection may already be included for eligible residents and appliances. Refrigerant removal, private pickup, retailer haul-away, and some recycling services may charge fees.
Related Pages
Bulk Item Disposal
Find current local rules for disposing of furniture, mattresses, appliances, and other oversized household items.
View Bulk Item Disposal Options
Electronics Recycling
Find local options for televisions, computers, monitors, and other electronics.
View Electronics Recycling Options
Trash Pickup Schedules
Find current trash collection information for Lafayette, West Lafayette, and other areas of Tippecanoe County.
Household Hazardous Waste
Find disposal information for paint, chemicals, pesticides, automotive fluids, and other hazardous household materials.
View Household Hazardous Waste Options
Disposal & Recycling
Find more Tippecanoe County disposal and recycling resources.
View Disposal & Recycling Resources
Official Resources
City of Lafayette — Unique Trash Items
Official information about appliance pickup and other items requiring special disposal.
View Lafayette Appliance Disposal Rules
City of West Lafayette — Trash Pickup
Official collection rules and the city’s current list of items that are not accepted.
View West Lafayette Trash Pickup Rules
Tippecanoe County — Material Disposal
Find official county disposal information for refrigerant appliances and other materials.
View Tippecanoe County Disposal Information
Tippecanoe County — Refrigerators
Find current local options for properly removing refrigerant and recycling refrigerators and similar appliances.
Find Refrigerator Disposal Options
Summary
Appliance disposal in Tippecanoe County depends largely on whether the appliance contains refrigerant. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers require special handling so the refrigerant can be properly reclaimed.
Lafayette collects many non-refrigerant appliances during weekly trash pickup, while West Lafayette residents may have large-item collection available depending on the appliance. For refrigerant appliances, use a certified local disposal or recycling option rather than putting the appliance out with regular trash.