While electronic devices such as microwaves cannot be thrown in the trash, there are various ways to get rid of them. Various recycling centers are available to take your broken microwave off of your hands to properly recycle them. Good condition old microwave ovens can always be donated to someone in need. You can also sell your working microwave online through a Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. Local thrift shops may also buy you old appliances. You can also contact the manufacturer of the microwave to see if they have a take-back or exchange program for old appliances.
Laws and regulations regarding disposal of your used microwave
Microwaves are considered e-waste and as such, they can not be recycled like other everyday materials and as such requires special regulations and cannot be thrown out in the trash. Check your local law regulations to determine the optimal way to get rid of your faulty appliances. If you can’t find any recycling plants near your, contact your county or city officials who will guide you to find the right place for recycling.
Donate your used working microwave
Donating a used old microwave is always a good solution, as it will keep it out of landfills and prevent producing more e-waste and at the same time may provide support to someone who would not be able to procure a new microwave themselves. You can clean and donate it to a friend, neighbor, or local Goodwill. You could even donate it to a student who is off to college and may desperately need a microwave on a tight budget, this will help you do a good deed while getting rid of your unwanted microwave.
Contact your nearest e-waste recycling center
Taking your broken microwave to a recycler is the most eco-friendly option. E-waste recyclers take apart the appliances and separate the working components to fix other microwaves and they also have proper safety procedures to recycle the rest of the materials. A quick internet search can provide you with the necessary details to find your nearest e-waste recycling center and in some cases, you can even schedule a pick-up appointment.
Check if the manufacturer has a take-back or exchange program for used appliances.
Some manufacturers have take-back or exchange programs to return their old appliances for store credits or to upgrade to a better, more efficient model. The companies will take your old appliance for recycling. If you are unaware of such programs are available, contact the customer service department to know more about their recycling programs in place. In some cases, the company will even pay for the shipping cost to send your old microwave and the cost to recycle the broken microwave.
Contact a retail store that accepts old appliances.
Some retail stores, mostly electronics stores, also take old appliances such as microwaves to repair and reuse than to sell as refurbished units. Relatively newer units have a better chance of acceptance as they may have working components more compatible with recent models for repair which will be more economically beneficial for the store. You may get cash or store credits to buy other appliances.
Contact your local repair shops.
Local repair shops often require parts to repair their customers’ broken microwaves. Taking your microwave to your nearest repair shop may only require a little leg work but it would be a better option rather than throwing it in the trash and you may even get a little cash and help reduce e-waste at the same time. In some cases, you may even get your broken microwave fixed by the repair shop if the damages are not extensive. These repair shops even sell old refurbished microwaves for a cheaper price than the market.
Sell your working microwave
If your old microwave is still in good condition, you can always sell it online. Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, or similar online platforms let you post an ad for your used products for sale without any additional cost. Selling your old microwave may help you buy your new one or help you buy other home appliances, or better keep it in your savings for a rainy day.
Local yard sales or thrift stores may also buy your used microwave for cash depending on the conditions of your device.
With the enormous amount of e-waste in landfills all around the globe, we can no longer consciously dispose of an electrical appliance such as a microwave in the trash if it can be properly disposed of. And with so many different options available to us to properly dispose of an electronic device, it is our duty to protect our beautiful planet from such needless waste and pollution.
