To dispose of a microwave in Pennsylvania, you can put it in your household trash in most parts of the state, drop it at a county recycling site or e-waste event, take it to a scrap metal yard, donate it if it still works, or pay a retailer or junk hauler to take it away. Pennsylvania’s electronics disposal ban does not cover microwaves, so the choice is yours, and local rules and cost usually decide it.
Is It Legal to Throw a Microwave in the Trash?
Yes, in most of Pennsylvania. The Covered Device Recycling Act (Act 108 of 2010) bans computers, monitors, computer peripherals, and televisions from the trash, but its definition of “covered device” specifically excludes appliances like microwave ovens, conventional ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and air conditioners.1Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania Code 27 – Covered Device Recycling Act – Enactment The Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed the disposal ban “does not apply to other electronic devices” beyond those four categories.2Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Covered Device Recycling Act Frequently Asked Questions
There is no state fine for tossing a microwave. Municipalities can be stricter, though. Some allow microwaves in curbside bulk pickup, some require a scheduled bulk day or a specific drop-off site, and a few restrict anything with electronic components from regular trash even though state law permits it.3Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Recycling of Computers, Computer Monitors, Televisions and Other Electronic Devices Confirm with your hauler before you set anything at the curb.
Curbside and Bulk Pickup
A countertop microwave usually qualifies as a bulky item where bulk pickup is offered. Your waste hauler may want it scheduled in advance or placed in a specific spot. A quick call to the hauler or a look at their guidelines answers the question in a minute and avoids a rejected pickup.
County Drop-Offs and E-Waste Events
Many Pennsylvania counties operate permanent drop-off sites that accept small appliances, and most run e-waste collection events a few times a year that take a wide range of electronics and appliances. Some sites charge a small fee; others are free. DEP grants offset the cost of many collection events, which often means free or low-cost drop-off for residents.3Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Recycling of Computers, Computer Monitors, Televisions and Other Electronic Devices The DEP publishes a list of electronics collection programs by county.4Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Electronics Collection Programs
Private recycling centers accept microwaves too. Drop-off charges typically range from nothing to about $30 for a single small appliance, depending on the facility and your county.
Scrap Metal Yards
A scrap yard will often pay you for a microwave instead of charging you. The unit contains copper wiring, aluminum components, and a steel casing, all of which have scrap value. The payout on one microwave is small, but it beats a disposal fee. Call ahead to confirm the yard takes small appliances and whether they prefer them intact or broken down. Separating the metals yourself generally gets a better per-pound price, though many yards will sort a whole unit for you.
Retailer Haul-Away
Best Buy will haul away a microwave, but not for free. With the home delivery of a replacement appliance, the pickup runs $49.99. Without a new purchase, standalone pickup is $199.99 for up to two large items.5Best Buy. Electronics and Appliances Recycling at Best Buy Microwaves are not on the list of items Best Buy accepts for free in-store drop-off, so don’t carry one to the customer service counter expecting to leave it there. Haul-away makes sense mainly when you’re already buying a replacement and want a one-trip swap. For standalone disposal, the local options above are almost always cheaper.
Donating a Working Microwave
If the microwave still heats food reliably, donation is worth a look before scrap. Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations accept working appliances, including microwaves, and resell them to fund home-building. Some Goodwill locations take small appliances, but policies vary by chapter and some specifically exclude them, so call the store before loading the car. Local buy-nothing groups and community marketplace listings also move working countertop microwaves quickly.
Before handing it off, run the microwave for a minute with a cup of water to confirm it heats, wipe down the interior and exterior, and pull the glass turntable out for a separate wash.
Built-In and Over-the-Range Units
Countertop microwaves unplug and lift out. Built-in and over-the-range units are usually hardwired and bolted into cabinetry, so removal means disconnecting electrical wiring and should be handled by someone comfortable with household circuits. When you’re replacing the unit, the installer generally pulls the old one as part of the job. When you’re not, a junk removal service or handyman can do both the disconnection and the haul.
Professional junk removal for a single appliance generally runs $60 to $180, with most jobs around $100. Add roughly $50 to $100 if electrical disconnection is needed. These services typically include responsible disposal or recycling, so a separate drop-off isn’t necessary.
Safety Before You Move It
A microwave is one of the few household appliances that can hurt you after it’s unplugged. The high-voltage capacitor inside the magnetron circuit stores enough charge to cause serious injury or death, and that charge can persist long after the cord comes out of the wall. Do not open or disassemble the unit unless you have training in discharging high-voltage capacitors. For disposal, you don’t need to take anything apart. Unplug it, clean it out, and hand it over intact.
The magnetron also contains ceramic insulators that may include beryllium oxide, which becomes hazardous if broken into dust and inhaled. An intact microwave poses no risk; a cracked-open one does. If yours has visible internal damage, handle it carefully, avoid creating dust, and let the recycling facility deal with the components.
Finding Your Local Rules
Because the practical answer depends on where you live, the fastest route is your county recycling coordinator. The DEP publishes a directory at pa.gov, and each coordinator can spell out exactly what your area offers for appliance disposal, including scheduled events, permanent drop-off sites, and any local restrictions.6Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. County Recycling Coordinators You can also call the DEP Recycling Hotline at 800-346-4242 with any question the online listings don’t cover.