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Refrigerator & appliances disposal in Boston, MA
Last checked: 2026-10-24 against the official sources below.
Short answer: City pickup by special collection appointment only (Freon item). Doors off, food out.
What the official sources say about this item
- Massachusetts law bans items containing Freons from the trash; Boston collects fridges and freezers by special collection appointment.
- Remove ALL doors (including mini fridges) and all food, or the item will not be collected. Doors can go next to your trash bin for regular collection.
- Other Freon items on the same program: water coolers, ice makers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers.
- Limit: 10 special items per calendar year, 5 per appointment. No commercial-grade items.
- Not in this program: water heaters and dishwashers (donate or hire a private hauler).
How to arrange it
- Schedule from the City's Special Collection Items page, or call 311 / 617-635-4500.
- Set out where trash goes by 6 a.m. on appointment day, or after 5 p.m. the night before. Do not smash appliances.
- Cancel before 12 p.m. the day before; report a missed pickup within 24 hours.
Rules change, and where a source is unclear we say so. Confirm with the city (311) before setting anything out.
Paid option: junk removal
Not eligible for city pickup (for example, a larger apartment building) or need it gone sooner? A private junk removal service can haul items from inside your home for a fee. [Partner link not yet active]
Disclosure: Free official options are always listed first. If a paid-removal link appears, it may be an affiliate link and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes what we recommend.
Full guide: All bulky item rules in Boston. Other items: Mattress & box spring Couch & furniture TV & electronics