How to get rid of old appliances in San Jose

The short answer

Most appliances leave one of four ways in the South Bay: retailer haul-away with a new delivery, a city program where appliances are accepted, self-hauling to a facility, or a flat pickup from inside. Anything with refrigerant needs certified recovery before it is scrapped. JunkRabbit's flat prices include carry-out and disposal: washer $133, dryer $128, dishwasher $109, electric range $134, gas range $137 and tank water heater $131.

Sort your appliances by type

Appliances look alike from the curb, but they are handled differently once they leave.

• Cooling appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, wine coolers, window AC units and dehumidifiers contain refrigerant. Under the EPA's section 608 rules, it has to be recovered by a certified technician before scrapping.
• Plain metal appliances such as washers, dryers, ranges and water heaters are mostly steel. They are straightforward to recycle once disconnected.
• Built-in appliances such as dishwashers, cooktops, built-in microwaves and range hoods have to be disconnected from water, gas or wiring before anyone can remove them.
• Small appliances such as air fryers, toaster ovens and countertop microwaves contain electronics. In California, many electronic items are classed as universal waste and are not allowed in household trash.

Knowing which group each item is in tells you who can take it and what has to happen first.

Disconnect safely before anything moves

Removal crews carry appliances out. Disconnecting gas and water lines is a separate job, and it should be done before the pickup.

Gas ranges and gas dryers. Shut the gas valve behind the appliance and have the line capped. If you are not comfortable doing it, a plumber or your utility can help. Never leave an open gas stub.

Washers and dishwashers. Turn off the supply valves, disconnect the hoses and drain what you can. Older garage washers in ranch houses often sit on a slab with no floor drain nearby, so keep towels handy.

Water heaters. Turn off the power or gas, shut the cold supply and drain the tank through the valve at the bottom. A full tank is far too heavy to move safely.

Most South Bay homes are slab-on-grade with no basement, so water heaters and furnaces usually live in the garage or a hall closet. That makes them easier to reach than in many cities.

Free and low-cost routes nearby

Inside San José, the City's Junk Pickup is free for single-family homes and multi-family complexes, owners and renters, up to 12 items per request on your garbage day. Check its accepted-items list for appliances before you book.

In Santa Clara, the Annual Cleanup Campaign accepts appliances. The 2026 campaign ran April 27 to May 22. In Mountain View, each of the two free yearly Recology cleanups includes up to three bulky items.

When you buy a new appliance, ask the retailer about haul-away. It is often the easiest route because the delivery crew is already in your kitchen.

For self-hauling, Zanker Recycling on Los Esteros Road and the SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale are the major local facilities. Call first, especially for refrigerant appliances, and check the current rates. You will need an appliance dolly and a second person.

Flat appliance prices

A full kitchen swap of a fridge, gas range, dishwasher and built-in microwave is $164 + $137 + $109 + $54 = $464. A garage laundry pair is $133 + $128 = $261.

Common San Jose appliance jobs

The garage laundry corner. Ranch houses from the 1960s and 70s often have the washer and dryer in the garage. When they are replaced, the old pair has to come out past whatever else is stored there. That is often a stack of boxes, bikes and a second fridge.

Kitchen remodels. Willow Glen, the Rose Garden and Almaden Valley see a lot of kitchen work. Appliances come out on demo day along with cabinets and countertops.

Water heater and furnace swaps. A tank water heater in the garage is $131. If the HVAC is being updated at the same time, the old furnace is another $131, so the two together are $131 + $131 = $262.

Move-outs. Renters in North San José or Sunnyvale sometimes own a washer and dryer and cannot take them to the next place. Stacked combo units are $189.

Booking an appliance pickup

Photograph each appliance where it sits and note anything unusual: a built-in, a narrow laundry closet or a stairway. Then get your total on the instant quote page. The price is fixed before you book and only changes if you approve.

Have gas and water disconnected and the appliances emptied. The crew does the rest: dollies, straps, carrying it out from any floor and loading. There is no stairs fee.

Crews work seven days a week, 8am to midnight, in two-hour arrival windows, and booking by 4 PM usually gets you same-day service. That helps on delivery day, when the new appliance arrives and the old one has nowhere to go. We recycle whatever we can, and steel appliances are among the most recyclable things in any house.

Frequently asked questions