If you are trying to get rid of an old fridge or freezer at the moment, you may have noticed that disposal is becoming more difficult.
Across the UK, councils, recycling centres and waste companies are dealing with a significant shortage of specialist fridge and freezer recycling capacity. Some local authorities have even temporarily stopped accepting cooling appliances while the industry works through a growing backlog.
So what has happened — and what should you do with an unwanted fridge freezer in Exeter?
Why is there a fridge freezer disposal crisis?
Fridges and freezers cannot simply be crushed or processed alongside ordinary scrap metal.
They are classed as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and can contain refrigerant gases, oils, insulation foam and other materials that need specialist handling.
The UK only has a limited number of facilities capable of processing these appliances safely. During 2026, several treatment plants have become unavailable because of closures, fires, breakdowns and other operational problems.
At the same time, more unwanted fridges and freezers have been entering the waste system. Hot weather can increase appliance failures and replacements, while extreme temperatures can also reduce processing efficiency at recycling plants.
The result is simple: more fridges are entering the system than the UK's current treatment infrastructure can comfortably process.
Why can't an old fridge just go into general waste?
Fridges are very different from most bulky household items.
Older appliances in particular may contain refrigerants or substances that can be damaging to the environment if released. Government guidance therefore requires cooling appliances to be handled and treated through appropriate waste facilities.
This means an unwanted fridge should never be:
Put into general household waste
Broken apart at home
Left beside communal bins
Abandoned outside a recycling centre
Given to an unlicensed waste collector
Fly-tipped
Once collected correctly, specialist facilities can remove refrigerants and separate materials including metals, plastics, compressors and insulation for appropriate treatment or recycling.
What does the shortage mean for households?
The biggest immediate problem is storage.
A fridge freezer is large, difficult to stack safely and cannot simply be sent to another conventional recycling facility when specialist plants reach capacity.
As collections slow down, appliances begin accumulating at household recycling centres and waste depots.
During summer 2026, authorities in several parts of England introduced restrictions or temporarily suspended fridge and freezer collections because they were running out of safe storage space.
Industry and local-government organisations have consequently called for additional UK processing capacity and greater resilience within the fridge recycling network.
Can I still dispose of a fridge freezer in Exeter?
Yes, but it is increasingly important to check your disposal route before moving the appliance.
Householders will normally have several options depending on local availability:
Council recycling centres
Household fridges and freezers can normally be taken to designated recycling facilities. Exeter is served by recycling centres including Pinbrook Road and Exton Road, although residents should always check current restrictions before travelling.
Council bulky waste collections
Local authorities may offer collection services for large household appliances.
Retailer take-back
If you are buying a replacement appliance, the retailer may be able to take your old fridge away for recycling.
Licensed private waste collection
A registered waste carrier can collect the appliance and ensure it enters an appropriate waste-treatment route.
If the fridge still works, reuse or resale may also be worth considering before recycling it.
Be careful who you give your fridge to
The current shortage could unfortunately create opportunities for irresponsible waste disposal.
A very cheap collection is not necessarily a good collection.
Householders have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure their waste is passed to an authorised person. Using an established waste carrier also creates a traceable route for an appliance that requires specialist treatment.
If somebody offers to remove a fridge, particularly through social media or an online marketplace, check that they are operating legitimately before handing it over.
Could the problem get worse?
The current disruption has highlighted how dependent the UK is on a relatively small number of specialist treatment facilities.
Fridges are not going to stop reaching the end of their lives, so additional treatment capacity and more resilient recycling infrastructure will be needed if similar backlogs are to be avoided in future.
For households, businesses, landlords and property managers, this may mean fridge disposal remains less straightforward than usual while capacity catches up.
Need to dispose of a fridge freezer in Exeter?
If you have an unwanted fridge, freezer or fridge freezer in Exeter or the surrounding area, contact Exeter Waste to discuss your disposal requirements and the collection options currently available.
With specialist waste such as refrigeration equipment, arranging the correct collection route is far better than leaving an unwanted appliance sitting outside a property or risking it being handled incorrectly.
Contact Exeter Waste today to discuss fridge freezer disposal and bulky waste collection in Exeter and Devon.
