Disposal Rules
Florida Appliance Disposal Laws: Refrigerators, ACs & Freezers (2026)
Updated June 2026 · By the All Out Rubbish crew
You cannot legally throw out a refrigerator, freezer, or AC unit in Florida without first having the refrigerant recovered by an EPA Section 608 certified technician. Here's what the law actually says, what it means for you, and how to comply.
The federal rule
EPA Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires that refrigerants (Freon, R-22, R-134a, R-410a) be recovered before any appliance containing them is disposed of, recycled, or scrapped. The fine is up to $44,539 per violation, per day. Florida adopts this rule in full.
What this means for homeowners
You can't just put a fridge at the curb on bulk-pickup day. Your city will refuse it, or worse — issue a code citation. You must either (a) hire a hauler with a refrigerant-recovery certification, (b) take it to a recycling facility that handles refrigerants, or (c) call your appliance retailer to do haul-away on a new-appliance delivery.
How to verify a hauler is certified
Ask for their EPA Section 608 Universal Certification number. A legitimate appliance hauler will have one and will recover refrigerant on-site before transport. If a hauler says 'don't worry about it,' walk away.
Cost expectations
A certified appliance removal typically runs $75–$150 per unit, which includes refrigerant recovery, transport, and proper recycling at a facility that recovers the steel, copper, and aluminum.
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FAQs
What about window AC units?
Same rule applies — window units and mini-splits contain refrigerant and must be processed by a certified tech.
What if the fridge is already empty / unplugged for years?
Doesn't matter. The rule is about the refrigerant in the sealed system, not whether the unit is powered on.