If you have an appliance you don't want anymore, you have more choices than just calling a junk hauler. Working units have real resale and donation value. Even non-working ones have free disposal paths if you know where to look.
Here are 8 options ranked by your effort, your condition, and what you get back.
Option 1: Energy Trust of Oregon / PGE recycling — they pay YOU
Cost: -$30 to -$50 (you receive money) · Best for: Working refrigerators, freezers, room AC units
This is the option most Portlanders don't know about. Energy Trust of Oregon, in partnership with PGE and Pacific Power, runs an appliance recycling program designed to retire old energy-hungry refrigerators and freezers from the grid. They send a contractor to your home, pick up the appliance for free, and pay you a rebate.
Eligibility (general — confirm current rules):
- Working refrigerator, freezer, or room AC unit
- 10+ years old (older units use significantly more electricity)
- You're a PGE or Pacific Power customer
- Single-family home (some restrictions on multi-family)
How to use it: Search "Energy Trust of Oregon appliance recycling" online. Schedule pickup. They arrive with the right truck and equipment, take the appliance, mail you a check or apply credit to your electric bill.
If you have an old beer fridge in the garage, an extra freezer, or a working but outdated kitchen fridge you're replacing — this is the best deal in Portland for getting rid of it.
Option 2: Free — Buy Nothing / Marketplace giveaway
Cost: $0 · Best for: Any working appliance
Working appliances in Portland disappear within hours on free networks. Post photos with brand, age, condition, and pickup instructions. Working washers, dryers, and refrigerators routinely get picked up within 24 hours.
What goes fast (often hours):
- Working refrigerators less than 15 years old
- Washers and dryers in any working condition
- Stoves and ovens
- Microwaves, dishwashers (working)
- Small appliances (toasters, coffee makers, etc.)
What's slower or doesn't move:
- Non-working appliances (sometimes go to repair hobbyists, but slower)
- Very old units (25+ years)
- Rusted or visibly damaged units
For best results: take clear photos, list realistic condition, include dimensions, mention if you need it gone by a specific date (motivates faster pickup).
Option 3: Habitat for Humanity ReStore donation
Cost: $0 · Best for: Working appliances in good cosmetic condition
Habitat for Humanity operates ReStore locations in the Portland area (Beaverton, Portland, others) that accept donated home goods, building materials, and appliances. They offer free pickup for larger items including appliances.
- What they accept: Working refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves — generally less than 10 years old, clean, no major cosmetic damage
- Free pickup: Yes, for furniture and appliances, scheduled 1-2 weeks out typically
- Tax deduction: Yes, they provide a donation receipt
- What they decline: Non-working units, units with visible damage, very old appliances (15+ years), built-in appliances that are hard to extract
To schedule: Call your nearest ReStore directly. Confirm they accept the specific appliance type in your area before scheduling.
Option 4: Sell to a used appliance buyer
Cost: -$25 to -$200 (you receive money) · Best for: Working appliances under 10 years old, premium brands
Portland has several used appliance dealers who buy, repair, and resell. They typically pay $25-$200 depending on the unit. Higher prices for newer, well-known brands (Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, Frigidaire); lower prices for off-brand or older units.
Portland-area used appliance buyers:
- Tum-A-Lum Appliance Repair — Buys and sells used appliances
- Joe's Appliances (Beaverton) — Used appliance sales and trade-ins
- Northwest Used Appliances — Buys working units
- Several independent repair shops — Search "used appliance Portland" for current operators
What to expect:
- They want photos and model info first
- They'll either pick up (for multiple units or large items) or have you bring it in
- Cash on the spot for accepted units
- Decline rates are high — they only buy what they can profitably resell
Option 5: Sell privately on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
Cost: -$50 to -$400 (you receive money) · Best for: Working appliances, premium brands, less than 8 years old
Direct sale to another consumer typically gets you more money than selling to a dealer, but takes more time and effort. Reasonable pricing for used appliances in Portland (working condition):
| Appliance | Less than 5 years | 5-10 years | 10+ years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (standard) | $300-$600 | $150-$300 | $50-$150 |
| Washer or dryer | $200-$400 | $100-$200 | $50-$100 |
| Stove / range | $150-$400 | $75-$200 | $25-$100 |
| Dishwasher | $100-$250 | $50-$150 | $25-$75 |
Pricing reality: list for slightly higher than these ranges and expect to negotiate down. The buyer hauls it themselves in most cases.
Option 6: Scrap metal recyclers
Cost: $5-$30 received, or $0-$30 paid (varies) · Best for: Non-working appliances if you have a truck
Scrap metal yards in Portland accept appliances. Whether you get paid or have to pay depends on:
- The appliance type: Refrigerators and freezers usually have a disposal fee for freon recovery ($10-$30). Washers, dryers, stoves often pay small amounts ($5-$20) as scrap metal.
- Current scrap metal prices: Fluctuate with global metal markets
- How prepared the unit is: Some yards pay more if you've removed compressors, motors, or hazardous components
Portland-area scrap yards that accept appliances:
- Calbag Metals (NW Portland)
- Metro Metals Northwest
- Schnitzer Steel
Call ahead to confirm current rates and prep requirements. You need a truck to deliver, plus the labor of loading and unloading. For most people, the small cash is not worth the effort unless you're already going to a scrap yard for other reasons.
Option 7: Manufacturer / retailer haul-away with new purchase
Cost: $0-$75 · Best for: Anyone replacing an appliance
Most Portland appliance retailers will haul away your old unit when delivering the new one, often for free or a small fee.
- Home Depot, Lowe's: $25-$50 haul-away with delivery of new appliance
- Best Buy: $25-$50 haul-away with delivery
- Standard TV & Appliance, Albert Lee, other local retailers: Often free or low-fee haul-away with delivery
- Costco appliances: Free haul-away with specific delivery options
If you're already replacing the appliance, this is the easiest path. Confirm haul-away terms when placing the order.
Option 8: Junk removal service
Cost: $75-$200 per appliance · Best for: Non-working appliances, multiple units, when other options have failed
This is the last-resort option but sometimes the most practical, especially for:
- Old, non-working appliances no one wants
- Multiple appliances at once
- Appliances in difficult-to-access locations
- Situations where you don't have time to wait for donation pickup or private sale
Pricing for appliance pickup in Portland (single unit):
- Refrigerator: $95-$200 (higher due to freon recovery fee)
- Washer or dryer: $75-$150
- Stove / dishwasher: $75-$150
- Multiple appliances at once: discount per-unit pricing
What's included in a typical Portland junk hauler appliance pickup:
- Pickup from inside your home (or curbside if you prefer)
- Disconnect if needed (we don't do hardwired electrical; gas appliances require shut-off first)
- Hauling to EPA-certified appliance recyclers
- Freon recovery for refrigerators / freezers / AC units
- Metal scrap value (we keep this, which is why pricing is competitive)
More on HaulWorks PDX appliance removal →
Our recommended order
For a working appliance you want gone:
- Check Energy Trust of Oregon if it's a working fridge or freezer (might pay you)
- List free on Buy Nothing / Marketplace for 3-7 days
- Call Habitat for Humanity ReStore for free pickup if no takers
- Try used appliance dealers if it's a premium brand
- Last resort: junk haul ($75-$150)
For a non-working appliance:
- List free on Buy Nothing / Marketplace — some hobbyists take broken units for parts
- Scrap yard if you have a truck and the small cash is worth your time
- Junk haul for cleanest hassle-free removal ($75-$200)
If you're at step 3 of either path, send us a photo or call (971) 385-6798. We'll quote your appliance pickup in 2 minutes over the phone — what we say is what you pay.