# How to recycle your home air conditioner **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 9, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666 "2003-06-09T16:46:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cpgoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@cpgoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cpgoose)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/1 "2003-06-09T16:46:11Z")
Hi, I have 4 or 5 of those old window air conidtioner units that I need to get rid of. Since they have freon in them, I have to have the freon “properly” removed, and have a sticker placed on them…otherwise I can’t get rid of them. I called Sears, and they said it will cost $95 for the guy to come to my house, and then more for him to do his “technical” work. I can’t believe this…is there something I’m missing? I’m going to call around, but just wanted to see if anyone ever did this before. Please don’t say to just smash it with a hammer…I’ll still need the sticker 🙂 Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/2 "2003-06-09T17:24:01Z")
Some towns have a “hazardous waste” drop-off spot where you can dump any number of icky substances. You might want to call your village hall or county folks and see if you have one. ---
**Author:** ![cpgoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@cpgoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cpgoose)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/3 "2003-06-09T21:03:25Z")
thanks for the suggestion…I’ll try that. Doesn’t sound too “environmentally-friendly”, but I’ll see what they say 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/4 "2003-06-09T22:50:22Z")
Do they still work? if so then sell or donate them. ---
**Author:** ![Winkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/41988e/32.png) [@Winkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winkie)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/5 "2003-06-09T23:46:30Z")
[Earth’s 911](http://www.earths911.org) has all sorts of good information about where to recycle things - including appliances that contain freon. Just search by zip code for what you want to get rid of, and voila! What **Kalhoun** is talking about is a household hazardous waste disposal day or facility. These are specially set-up places for folks to get rid of their hazardous materials (like appliances, paint, and household chemicals) the proper way - through a licensed contractor. It sounds scarier than it is 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![J\_String](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@J\_String](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_String)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/6 "2003-06-10T00:16:31Z")
Do you know of a poorly-guarded dumpster? Take a little midnight drive. 😉 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/7 "2003-06-10T00:20:26Z")
Call around to places that sell used air conditioners. They might either buy them or take them for free. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/8 "2003-06-13T13:51:55Z")
Thanks for clarifying my statement, Winkie. That is exactly what I meant. These places have contracted with companies who will dispose of everything correctly. It’s the best way to get rid of paint, thinners, and all that funky stuff you accumulate. THere’s a place in Naperville, IL (I think) that does this year-round. My husband and his buddy are going to go there one of these weekends and dump tons of crap they’ve accumulated over the years. Thus clearing up the eyesore landscape of containers around my friggin’ garage. WooHOO! ---
**Author:** ![cpgoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@cpgoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cpgoose)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-recycle-your-home-air-conditioner/180666/9 "2003-06-13T15:36:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kalhoun \* > \*\*My husband and his buddy are going to go there one of these weekends and dump tons of crap they’ve accumulated over the years. \*\* Uh huh huh…I just had to quote that. Thanks 🙂 We’re still looking…I’ll let you guys know what happens.