Can You Throw a Toaster in the Trash?
After years of faithful service, your trusty toaster has broken down. It’s cheaper to buy a new one than get it fixed, and you’d rather not take your chances on a broken appliance anyway—what if it short circuits and causes a fire?
Bringing your old toaster to your local household hazardous waste facility is the best way to safely get rid of it. Toasters contribute to electronic waste which is responsible for up to 70% of heavy metal contamination in landfills.
But that leaves the question about what to do with it. Is it safe to throw your toaster in the trash?
The Big Dumpster Debate
Some people say it’s okay to dispose of small appliances like toasters or toaster ovens in the trash. Even the New York City guide on proper waste disposal says to recycle it along with your metal, glass, plastic, and cartons.
Toasters should be disposed of in your local household hazardous waste collection facility. electronic waste is responsible for as much as 70% of the heavy metals in landfills
But that’s assuming that you don’t have a really fancy toaster. If it has a digital display, then it has components that are similar to what you’d find in your computer or phone—both of which aren’t recyclable. Why? Electronic equipment often uses metals like cadmium, lithium, lead or leaded glass.
How Many Toasters Are Sold In The U.S. Each Year?
There were 17.4 million toasters sold in the United States in 2018.
According to experts, electronic waste is responsible for as much as 70% of the heavy metals in landfills. And about 40% of that is lead, which is scientifically proven to cause birth defects and developmental disorders, kidney damage, and even brain damage. There are some studies that also link lead to a higher risk for cancer.
And heavy metals don’t just stay in the landfills. They can seep into soil and water supply. Remember all the horror movies that started with chemical waste infecting the area? The real horror is how it will affect public health and natural resources. Remember, what goes into our food and water goes into our bodies.
So what can you do to prevent your toaster from turning into toxic waste?
- If you have a basic toaster: Call your city trash collection service to find out their policy, and what measures they take to prevent toxic waste.
- If you have a fancy toaster: This includes digital displays and electronic features, including the ability to defrost and reheat. Environmentalists say that it’s better to err on the side of caution. Treat a toaster like any other small appliance that you can’t throw in the trash (ex: microwaves, televisions, your dad’s old beeper and Discman).
How to Safely Get Rid of an Old Toaster
So you can’t throw a toaster in a trash… so what can you do with it? Here are some options.
Call the Store or Retailer
Some stores have a recycling program where they take back old appliances for recycling. (If you’re lucky, they may have a trade-in promo so you can get a discount on a new toaster.) Even if the store doesn’t have their own appliance recycling program, they may be able to tell you where to bring them.
Bring it to Your Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
Your local household hazardous waste collection facility can often take your small electronic items and dispose of them in a safe way. Electronic waste continues to be one of the worst causes of ground contamination in the US.
Donate to Goodwill
The toaster may be broken, but it can still contribute to a good cause. Donate it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. They may be able to fix it and sell it at a cheap price. They donate all of their sales too, so you’re actually helping many people: the person who bought the toaster, and the causes that Goodwill supports.
Donate to Local Charity
If the toaster is still usable, and you just want to upgrade to a better one, consider giving it away. Aside from charities that regularly accept donations, you can also call local groups. Maybe the community center, senior’s facilities, or the nearby Church can use it.
Contact a Certified Recycler
Some states like California have a certification process for recyclers of electronic waste. Go online to find the list, or call your local government office’s hotline.
If you can’t find a list of a certified recycler, call your city’s trash collection service. They will tell you the best way to throw away a toaster or even larger appliances like refrigerators.
Read about RAD
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program. Check their pages to find the nearest RAD partner in your state. They can pick up appliances and safely dispose of them for a small fee.
What Is A Toaster Made Of?
Toasters contain steel, aluminum, copper, nickel and chromium resistance wire, and heat-resistant plastic with flame retardants and smoke suppressants added.
Call the Local Repairman or Junk Shop
You can either sell it give it away to the local handyman or appliance repair store. They may be able to repair it and sell it at a price, or take apart the toaster for usable parts. If the local repairman won’t take it, you can find the nearest junk shop and drop it off there.
Post on Craigslist or Freecycle
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You may wonder, “Who would want this old toaster, anyway?” You’d be surprised. Maybe there’s someone who wants to buy it for parts, or an artist who likes to upcycle old appliances.
Turn It Into a Craft Project
You can actually find a lot of cool appliance upcycling projects on the Internet. Check out the Pinterest photos of toasters that were turned into plant holders and night lights. Of course, that requires removing all the electric parts, so do this only if you’ve got the tools and skills (or ask the local repairman to do it for you, and then take home the empty case).
Smart and Responsible Appliance Disposal
You may be wondering, “That’s a lot of trouble to take over a broken toaster.” It is part of responsible recycling and waste disposal—and a question we should ask whenever we throw away anything.
It’s actually ironic: today it is so easy to buy new things. You can shop online, find great deals, and have it delivered to your doorstep. You can get a cheap toaster and not feel bad if it breaks down after a couple of months. After all, it’s easy and affordable to find a replacement.
However, there is a huge hidden cost to irresponsibly discarded appliances—and unfortunately, Mother Nature pays for it. Toxic waste doesn’t just sit in landfills, but damages natural resources. It may take more time and effort to find out the best way to throw out your toaster, but think of it as an investment in clean air, clean water, and clean soil.