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A public resource guide
Free refrigerator removal in Anchorage, AK
Every free and paid way to get rid of a refrigerator in Anchorage, verified October 2026.
Checked against Anchorage SWS
Home › By item › Refrigerator › Anchorage
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of a refrigerator in Anchorage, verified October 2026.
Checked against Anchorage SWS
$0
free curbside bulky pickups; SWS schedules paid Saturday pickups for its customers
$48.50
to dispose of a refrigerator or freezer at CTS or the landfill ($28.50 refrigerant plus $20)
CTS
Central Transfer Station, 1310 E. 56th Ave, takes household bulky loads by weight
$28.50 plus $20
Central Transfer Station, $28.50 plus $20
Every route for a refrigerator in Anchorage, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Anchorage guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Anchorage, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Anchorage bulky item disposal: refrigerators
Pickup or drop-off, fees applyRefrigerators and freezers are accepted at CTS and the landfill for $28.50 to remove the refrigerant plus a $20 disposal fee; doors removed, unit empty. Retailers haul away on delivery.
Who qualifies: Households in the Municipality of Anchorage. Solid Waste Services (SWS) collects curbside refuse in its service area; Alaska Waste serves most other neighborhoods. Neither includes free bulky pickup.
How to schedule: SWS curbside customers can ask about a scheduled bulk item pickup (Saturdays, by appointment, 907-343-6250; fees apply). Everyone else self-hauls to the Central Transfer Station (1310 E. 56th Ave) or the Anchorage Regional Landfill in Eagle River, which charge by weight plus per-item fees for refrigerant appliances and tires.
Limits: Transfer station loads must be covered. Refrigerators and freezers: $28.50 refrigerant fee plus $20 disposal. More than one TV per day goes to the landfill's e-waste facility. More than 10 tires must go to the landfill.
Set-out: Nothing at the curb without a confirmed SWS or Alaska Waste pickup. Loose bulky items at the curb are a code issue and attract wildlife.
Central Transfer Station (CTS): refrigerators
$28.50 plus $20Doors removed, empty.
Where: 1310 E. 56th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99518
How it works: Open to household vehicles from the whole Municipality; fees by weight with a minimum. Appliances (refrigerant units $28.50 plus $20), tires (up to 10), one TV per day, and a free household hazardous waste drop-off (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) plus a ReUse Store.
Donation pickup in Anchorage (usable refrigerators)
FreeDonation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call the program before scheduling.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Anchorage: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering refrigerators, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Anchorage: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Anchorage, Alaska’s waste system reflects its unique environment: two major haulers serve different parts of the municipality (Solid Waste Services / SWS for the municipal service area, Alaska Waste for surrounding areas), bear-resistant cart storage is a real concern, and bulk pickup happens by appointment on Saturdays for additional charges. The annual Citywide Cleanup in May provides free dump capacity at participating landfills with orange bag distribution at city locations. Winter and summer collection patterns differ. This guide covers every option for Anchorage Municipality residents.
The Anchorage rule for refrigerators: Refrigerators and freezers are accepted at CTS and the landfill for $28.50 to remove the refrigerant plus a $20 disposal fee; doors removed, unit empty. Retailers haul away on delivery.
Program basics: Transfer station loads must be covered. Refrigerators and freezers: $28.50 refrigerant fee plus $20 disposal. More than one TV per day goes to the landfill's e-waste facility. More than 10 tires must go to the landfill. Nothing at the curb without a confirmed SWS or Alaska Waste pickup. Loose bulky items at the curb are a code issue and attract wildlife.
What the city will not take: TVs, computers, and monitors are never collected curbside. Hazardous waste goes to the HHW programs at the transfer station and landfill.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services: How Do I Dispose of These Items, Municipality of Anchorage SWS: Disposal Information (transfer station and landfill). Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why refrigerators are different from ordinary bulk. The challenge with refrigerators is regulatory complexity, not bulk volume. Federal law (Clean Air Act Section 608) requires certified technicians to recover refrigerants, this CANNOT be done at the curb by a regular pickup crew.
Three mistakes that get refrigerators left at the curb:
When free options don’t fit your timeline or you don’t have a new appliance to swap with:
LoadUp paid refrigerator pickup
$80+For Anchorage households needing same-week or in-home pickup, crew labor, or items that exceed what SWS bulk pickup will accept, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Anchorage area for upfront-priced pickup.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your refrigerator. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book refrigerator pickup in Anchorage with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Anchorage proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Anchorage junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national refrigerator disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Anchorage: mattress, couch, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring, dishwasher.
Does Anchorage pick up refrigerators for free?
Not free. $48.50 at CTS or the landfill with doors removed, or retailer haul-away.
Where can I donate a refrigerator in Anchorage?
Donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
How much does paid refrigerator removal cost in Anchorage?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single refrigerator pickup in Anchorage starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Anchorage households needing same-week or in-home pickup, crew labor, or items that exceed what SWS bulk pickup will accept, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Anchorage area for upfront-priced pickup.
Can I just put a refrigerator at the curb?
In most cities, no. Refrigerators contain refrigerant that must be drained by a certified technician before disposal under federal Clean Air Act regulations. Most cities require either: (1) Pre-pickup drainage with a tag certifying it, OR (2) self-haul to a city Solid Waste Facility where staff handle drainage. Some cities exclude refrigerators from regular bulk entirely. Check your city’s rules in the section above.
What’s the cheapest way to get rid of a refrigerator?
In order from cheapest: (1) FREE if you’re replacing, retailer haul-away with new appliance delivery. (2) FREE PLUS REBATE if your unit is energy-inefficient and working, utility company appliance recycling rebate ($30 to $75 paid TO YOU). (3) FREE if you can self-haul, some cities (Knoxville, Albuquerque, Tucson) operate Solid Waste Facilities with on-site certified drainage. (4) ~$25 to $75 if you can’t self-haul, certified technician drainage + free city pickup. (5) $80+ for full-service paid hauling like LoadUp. Most households end up using option 1 (retailer haul-away) because they’re replacing the appliance anyway.
Why does federal law require certified refrigerant drainage?
Refrigerants are extraordinarily potent greenhouse gases. HCFC-22 (older Freon) has roughly 1,810 times the global warming potential of CO2 over 100 years. R-134a (modern automotive AC refrigerant) has 1,430. R-410A (modern home AC refrigerant) has 2,088. A typical home refrigerator contains about 4 to 8 ounces of refrigerant; releasing it during disposal is the equivalent of driving a car several thousand miles. The Clean Air Act Section 608 requires EPA-certified technicians for recovery to ensure the refrigerant is captured and reused or properly destroyed rather than vented to atmosphere.
Are washing machines and dryers handled the same way?
No, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and water heaters do NOT contain refrigerants and don’t require certified drainage. They’re typically eligible for regular city bulk pickup without special handling. The exception: gas dryers, which need their gas line professionally disconnected first (typically a plumber or appliance installer, often part of new appliance delivery).
Is this Anchorage page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Anchorage guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.