What Reno Homeowners Should Know About Appliance Hauling

Most homeowners think getting rid of an old fridge or washer is just about dragging it to the curb. But Reno has rules — and if you don't follow them, you're stuck with a hunk of metal taking up space in your garage. Appliances aren't regular trash. They contain refrigerants, metals, and components that need proper handling. Toss them wrong, and you're looking at fines or a mess that doesn't go away.

So here's the reality. If you're upgrading your kitchen or laundry room, that's smart. Just don't treat those old units like they're someone else's problem. Every appliance should leave your property the right way. Every pickup needs coordination. And every disposal decision should be grounded in what's legal and what's responsible — not just what's easiest in the moment.

Large Appliance Removal

 Hauling a refrigerator or stove yourself is a bad idea almost every time. These units are massive, shaped wrong for carrying, and built to stay where they're installed. You'll need a vehicle with real capacity, straps that won't slip, and at least one other person who understands how to move weight without injury. The city won't haul them with regular garbage pickup. Charities won't accept broken or dead appliances.

 Hire a professional crew? Completely different outcome. We do the heavy work, the truck loading, and the final drop-off — one appointment handles it all. We've watched people attempt to drag a chest freezer up from a basement and wind up with cracked walls and a strained lower back. Proper removal happens quickly and leaves no trace. Botched removal creates new problems worse than the original appliance. That's why we treat appliance and furniture removal in Reno like it actually matters.

Refrigerators and Freezers

 Tossing a refrigerator at the dump isn't an option. These machines hold refrigerants — Freon and similar compounds — that fall under EPA regulation. Let those chemicals escape and you've got an environmental mess on your hands. Worse, if you're the one who caused it, the liability lands on you. Reno mandates certified refrigerant recovery before any fridge hits a disposal site. That's not a suggestion. It's the law, and it requires someone who knows what they're doing.

Here's what matters most when you're getting rid of a refrigerator or freezer:

• Refrigerant must be removed by a licensed technician before disposal
• Doors should be removed or secured to prevent child entrapment hazards
• Metal and plastic components can often be recycled if separated correctly
• Some units still have resale value if they're working — donation is an option
• Scheduling a pickup with a licensed hauler ensures compliance with local and federal rules

 Skip the stress and hand it off to someone who actually knows the rules. We partner with certified recyclers and disposal sites that clear EPA requirements. Fridge still works? We can route you to residential junk removal services that coordinate donations too. No confusion. No liability hanging over your head.

Washers and Dryers

 Washers and dryers might seem more manageable than fridges, but don't let that fool you. A typical washing machine clocks in between 150 and 200 pounds, and if it's a front-loader, add more weight. Dryers are awkward to hold and take up more space than you think. Swapping out a matched set means filling a truck and wrestling both units through tight corners and narrow halls. Most people in Reno don't own the gear or have the backup to pull that off without risking injury. Second-story laundry room? Now you're asking for trouble. We've shown up to jobs where the last guy made it halfway down the stairs before realizing he was in over his head. Don't end up stuck on a landing with a busted dryer and a sore back. Bring in a crew that knows how to move heavy equipment without wrecking your house or your body.

Proper Disposal Methods

 Appliances don't all follow the same path once they leave your house. Some get broken down for parts. Others get cleaned up and resold. A few end up buried in a landfill. What happens depends on whether the thing still runs, what it's made of, and how much work it needs. Reno has rules about what qualifies for recycling and what doesn't. Steel and copper? Worth pulling out and selling. Plastics and foam insulation? They need specialized processing. Anything carrying refrigerants or mercury switches? That requires certified handling, no shortcuts. Unsure where your old fridge or dryer belongs? Don't take a guess. A licensed hauler already knows which facility takes what and how to process it legally. That's what you're paying for — certainty that it's done right and you're not liable later. Clearing out more than a busted appliance or two? Our house and garage clean out services let you knock out the entire job in one move.

Recycling Requirements

 Reno doesn't mess around with recycling, and appliances fall under that umbrella. The city pushes residents to recycle what they can, and haulers are expected to keep materials out of landfills whenever it makes sense. That means breaking down appliances into metal, plastic, and other components that can actually be reprocessed. Dishwashers and microwaves? Nearly everything in them can be recycled. Old AC units? They need refrigerant pulled first, or nothing else matters. A licensed hauler takes care of the breakdown and the facility drop-off. Going solo? You'll need to track down a place that takes appliances and show proof the refrigerants are gone. It's manageable, but you can't wing it. And skipping recycling costs you — scrap metal pays, and recycling centers will cut you a check for it. We route everything correctly and keep Reno's waste stream cleaner. Dealing with a bigger job that includes more than just appliances? Our estate clean out services handle the full scope.

Scheduling Pickup

 Appliance removal doesn't need to eat up your entire week. Reno services run same-day or next-day pickups, and the whole thing is simple. You call, tell us what needs to go, pick a window. We arrive, haul it out, and take it from there. No sitting around waiting for a municipal truck that might show up in three weeks. No wrestling a stove onto your lawn and crossing your fingers. Just fast, scheduled removal that works around you. Running a kitchen overhaul or coordinating a move? We sync with your contractor or agent so the timing lines up. Got more than appliances? We handle that too. One appointment, one crew, one problem solved. Check out our full range of services for furniture, yard debris, and everything else.

Get Help with Appliance Removal in Reno

If you're ready to clear out that old fridge, washer, or dryer, Tobey's Junk Hauling has you covered. We handle the heavy lifting, the disposal, and the recycling — all in one trip. Call 775-737-1796 or reach out online to schedule your pickup today.