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A public resource guide
Free refrigerator removal in Long Beach, CA
Every free and paid way to get rid of a refrigerator in Long Beach, verified October 2026.
Checked against Long Beach Recycles
Home › By item › Refrigerator › Long Beach
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of a refrigerator in Long Beach, verified October 2026.
Checked against Long Beach Recycles
12
free Special Collections per account per calendar year
8
large items (or 25 bags and bundles) per collection, out by 6 a.m.
5
tires up to 16 inches per pickup, kept separate
Every route for a refrigerator in Long Beach, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Long Beach guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Long Beach, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Long Beach Special Collection: refrigerators
Free, with a step firstRefrigerators are accepted with doors removed or taped shut, collected by a separate truck, and the city notes a regulatory fee may apply for special handling. Keep it apart from other items.
Who qualifies: Every City-serviced refuse account in Long Beach. Buildings served by private haulers arrange bulky pickups with their hauler.
How to schedule: Request online at lbcity.info/specialcollection or call 562-570-2876. Each account gets 12 free Special Collections per calendar year, each up to 8 large items or 25 bags, bundles, or boxes, and you can use two on the same day. A regulatory fee may apply to items needing special handling (appliances, TVs, monitors, tires).
Limits: 12 collections a year, 8 large items each. Items no larger than 72 by 48 inches unless you flag an oversized piece like a sofa when scheduling. Bundles under 48 inches and 40 pounds; bags under 25 pounds.
Set-out: At your regular collection location by 6 a.m. on your confirmed day, never before. Appliances, TVs, monitors, and tires are collected by a separate truck and must be kept apart from other items. Wrap all large glass. Nothing stacked on mattresses. Crews cannot enter private property.
Donation pickup in Long Beach (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 Long Beach: 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 Long Beach: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Long Beach, California provides one of the more generous bulk waste programs in the country: each City-serviced residential refuse account receives 12 free Special Collections per year. The Energy and Environmental Services Department serves approximately 130,000 residential and 118,000 total accounts. California SB 1383 mandates the three-cart system: gray trash, blue recycling (collected by Waste Management under contract), and green organics for food scraps and yard trimmings. Long Beach is rolling out new blue recycling carts February through October 2026. Crews cannot enter private property due to insurance liabilities. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Long Beach residents.
The Long Beach rule for refrigerators: Refrigerators are accepted with doors removed or taped shut, collected by a separate truck, and the city notes a regulatory fee may apply for special handling. Keep it apart from other items.
Program basics: 12 collections a year, 8 large items each. Items no larger than 72 by 48 inches unless you flag an oversized piece like a sofa when scheduling. Bundles under 48 inches and 40 pounds; bags under 25 pounds. At your regular collection location by 6 a.m. on your confirmed day, never before. Appliances, TVs, monitors, and tires are collected by a separate truck and must be kept apart from other items. Wrap all large glass. Nothing stacked on mattresses. Crews cannot enter private property.
What the city will not take: Household hazardous waste (city HHW events), construction debris beyond small amounts, and unwrapped glass.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: Long Beach Recycles: Special Collection 101. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Hazardous and regulated components in Long Beach. EDCO Recycling and Transfer Environmental Center handles regional HHW for Long Beach. Free for residents.
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 Long Beach households needing in-home loading (city crews can’t enter property), items beyond city size and weight limits, or service when you’ve used your annual 12 Special Collections, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Long Beach 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 Long Beach with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Long Beach proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Long Beach 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 Long Beach: mattress, couch, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring, dishwasher.
Does Long Beach pick up refrigerators for free?
Yes, with a Special Collection, doors removed or taped; a special-handling fee may apply.
Where can I donate a refrigerator in Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single refrigerator pickup in Long Beach starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Long Beach households needing in-home loading (city crews can’t enter property), items beyond city size and weight limits, or service when you’ve used your annual 12 Special Collections, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Long Beach 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 Long Beach page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Long Beach guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.