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A public resource guide
Free water heater removal in Camden, NJ
Special appliance pickup, 856-757-7000. Free.
Camden resource guide
Home › By item › Water heater › Camden
A public resource guide
Special appliance pickup, 856-757-7000. Free.
Camden resource guide
Camden, New Jersey, at a glance: Every legitimate way to get rid of furniture, appliances, mattresses, and bulk waste in Camden, including the 3-item weekly bulk limit, special appliance pickup, electronics program, donation pathways, and verified A901-licensed paid haulers. This page pulls the Camden specifics for water heaters out of our full Camden junk removal guide: what the city program accepts, where to donate, the prep that keeps a pickup from being skipped, and paid options when you need a water heater gone this week.
A drained tank water heater is free to dispose of almost everywhere. Choose based on who is doing the lifting. Here is how each route works in Camden.
Camden city program: water heaters
FreeSpecial appliance pickup, 856-757-7000. Free.
Donation pickup in Camden (usable water heaters)
FreeItems in usable condition (no significant damage, stains, or pest history) can be donated free through several Camden-area programs:
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, multiple South Jersey locations accept furniture, appliances, and home goods. Free pickup for larger donations. Often the most flexible for large items.
Plumber or installer haul-away
Included in most replacementsPlumbers and big-box installers remove and recycle the old tank as part of a replacement job. It is already disconnected when the new one goes in, and the installer has the dolly and the truck. Confirm haul-away is on the quote.
Ask whether a separate disposal fee applies. A few installers add $25 to $50; most include it.
Emergency replacements sometimes leave the old tank behind when the crew is in a hurry. Mention it before they leave.
Scrap metal recyclers
Free, sometimes paid to youA tank is 100 to 150 pounds of steel plus copper fittings, so scrap yards accept them at no charge and independent scrappers pick them up from the curb within hours of a free listing. Fully drained is a condition every yard enforces.
Remove the drain valve after draining so the yard can see the tank is empty.
Tankless units contain a copper heat exchanger and are also accepted; many yards pay more for them.
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 Camden: 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 water heaters, 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 Camden: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Camden, NJ provides free curbside bulk pickup of up to 3 large items per week on the second weekly collection day, with separate special pickup pathways for appliances and electronics. The city also runs an active illegal dumping enforcement program, so understanding the rules matters: bulk items placed on non-scheduled days or in excess of the 3-item limit count as illegal dumping under city ordinance. This guide covers every legitimate disposal option for Camden residents, free city services, donation programs, and (when needed) verified NJ A901-licensed paid haulers.
The Camden by-item rule for “Washer, dryer, water heater, stove”: Special appliance pickup, 856-757-7000. Free.
Why water heaters are different from ordinary bulk. The weight problem is entirely water. People try to tip a tank that has not fully drained and discover that 30 remaining gallons weigh 250 pounds. Sediment at the bottom can also clog the drain valve, leaving the tank heavier than it looks. Flushing with the cold supply on for a minute often clears it.
Three mistakes that get water heaters left at the curb:
Paid options come into play for basement tanks with difficult stairs, heat pump units, and situations where no replacement is being installed.
Self-haul to a transfer station or scrap yard
Free to $15A drained tank lies flat in a pickup bed or a large SUV. Scrap yards take them free; transfer stations may charge a small bulky item fee.
Strap it down. An empty tank rolls.
LoadUp paid water heater pickup
$80+If your items are in usable condition and you’d prefer help coordinating a donation pickup rather than scheduling directly with Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, or a Furniture Bank, LoadUp can help facilitate donation logistics in Camden. The donation organization performs the actual pickup; LoadUp helps with scheduling and routing for usable items.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your water heater. 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.
What this is: Coordination assistance for donation-eligible items going to qualified 501(c)(3) recipients. Items must be in usable condition (no significant damage, stains, or pest history). Tax receipts come from the receiving donation organization.
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 water heater pickup in Camden with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Camden proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Camden junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national water heater disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Camden: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Camden pick up water heaters for free?
Special appliance pickup, 856-757-7000. Free.
Where can I donate a water heater in Camden?
Items in usable condition (no significant damage, stains, or pest history) can be donated free through several Camden-area programs:
How much does paid water heater removal cost in Camden?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single water heater pickup in Camden starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. If your items are in usable condition and you’d prefer help coordinating a donation pickup rather than scheduling directly with Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, or a Furniture Bank, LoadUp can help facilitate donation logistics in Camden. The donation organization performs the actual pickup; LoadUp helps with scheduling and routing for usable items.
How do I drain a water heater before disposal?
Turn off the gas or the breaker and shut the cold water supply. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve and run it to a floor drain or outside. Open a hot tap upstairs and the T&P valve to let air in. When the flow stops, open the cold supply briefly to flush sediment, then close it and let the tank finish draining. Expect 20 to 40 minutes for a 50 gallon tank.
Can a water heater go out with bulk trash?
In most cities, yes, as long as it is drained. Some cities treat it as an appliance with its own appointment. Check the local rule in the directory below.
Will a scrap yard pay for an old water heater?
Usually a few dollars for the steel, more for a tankless unit with a copper heat exchanger. Most yards require the tank to be fully drained and some ask that the drain valve be removed.
Is there anything hazardous in a water heater?
Standard gas and electric tanks contain no refrigerant or regulated materials. Heat pump water heaters contain refrigerant in the compressor and must be handled like a refrigerator. The glass lining and the magnesium or aluminum anode rod are inert.
Is this Camden page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Camden guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.