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How to Dispose of a Microwave in the UK

WEEE-Licensed • 4.9★ Google Rating • Same-Day Available • Free Options Explained

Got an old microwave you need to get rid of? You have more options than you might think — including several free ones. You cannot put a microwave in your household bin. It is classed as WEEE waste (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and must go through a proper, licensed disposal route. But the good news is that several of those routes cost you nothing. This guide covers every option — from free council drop-off and charity donation to same-day professional collection. Whether your microwave is working or broken, standalone or commercial, we will tell you exactly what to do.
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Can You Put a Microwave in a Skip or Bin?

No — and this is the most common mistake people make. Microwaves cannot go in your household recycling bin or general waste bin. They contain electronic components that must be processed at licensed recycling facilities under UK WEEE Regulations. Standard skips will not accept microwaves either. Most skip hire companies exclude electrical items from their permitted waste list. Adding one without permission may result in extra charges or a refused collection. Leaving a microwave on a public pavement or communal area without an arranged collection is fly-tipping. This is a criminal offence. Fixed penalty notices start at £400. The legal options for microwave disposal in the UK are listed below.

Free Microwave Disposal Options in the UK

Several free disposal routes are available in the UK in 2026:

Option 1 — Household Waste Recycling Centre 

Your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) accepts microwaves for free. You just need to transport it there yourself.

Most HWRCs have a small electricals bay or WEEE container. Some sites now require advance booking following the 2026 Simpler Recycling changes — check your local council website before visiting.

Search “[your area] + household waste recycling centre” or use the Recycle Now locator to find your nearest site.

Option 2 — Retailer Take-Back

Buying a new microwave? Currys, AO.com, John Lewis, and Asda all offer take-back under their WEEE obligations. Some supermarkets also accept small electricals for recycling in store — call ahead to confirm.

Select the old appliance removal option during online checkout when buying a replacement. This is often free.

Option 3 — Donate a Working Microwave

If your microwave still works, donating it is the most environmentally responsible option. The British Heart Foundation collects working kitchen appliances from many UK areas. Freecycle, Freegle, and Facebook Marketplace (free listings) also work well for working microwaves.

A working microwave in good condition can also sell for £15–£60 on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Option 4 — Scrap Metal Dealer

A standard microwave weighs 12–20 kg and contains steel, copper, and aluminium. At 2026 scrap prices, the recoverable metal value is roughly £2–£5. Some licensed scrap dealers will collect for free because the metal is worth recovering.

Always verify the dealer holds a valid waste carrier licence on the Environment Agency public register before handing over any appliance.

Professional Microwave Removal Service

If you want it gone quickly — without transporting it yourself or waiting weeks for a council slot — our professional collection service is the simplest option.

Scrap My Appliance collects all types of microwaves across the UK alongside washing machines

fridges 

dishwashers, and

cookers , all in a single visit at a reduced combined rate.

when collected alongside other appliances. Standalone microwave collection starts from different. All prices confirmed upfront — no hidden fees.

Working microwaves go to our UK charity network before any recycling. Non-working microwaves go to a WEEE-licensed facility where the magnetron, steel casing, copper wiring, and plastic components are separated and processed responsibly.

Same-day and next-day slots available across the UK. For

appliance disposal in London, we cover all 32 boroughs.

Call 0800 599 9003 or get a free quote online.

Microwave Types We Collect

Freestanding Countertop Microwave

The most common type. Lightweight (12–18 kg), easy to carry. All disposal routes above apply. Just unplug and it is ready for collection.

Built-In or Integrated Microwave

Built-in microwaves are fitted into kitchen units. Our removal teams extract integrated microwaves from cabinet housings regularly — just mention it is built-in when booking so we bring the right tools.

Combination Microwave (Microwave + Grill + Convection Oven)

Combination units are slightly heavier but disposed of identically to standard models. All WEEE disposal routes apply.

Commercial Microwave

Commercial kitchen microwaves from restaurants, hotels, care homes, and catering businesses are handled by our catering equipment clearance service . Bulk commercial collections include full compliance documentation including a waste transfer note.

What Happens to Your Microwave After Collection?

When your microwave reaches a WEEE-licensed facility, here is the process:
Assessment — Working microwaves are tested first. If usable, they go to our UK charity network before any recycling.
Magnetron removal — The magnetron (the component that generates microwave energy) is carefully removed by specialist operatives. It contains materials that require specific handling and cannot enter general scrap streams. This is why unlicensed collectors are a problem.
Dismantling — The door, casing, turntable, transformer, and control board are separated by hand.
Material processing — Steel casing goes to a steel mill. Copper wiring from the transformer goes to copper smelters. Plastic trim goes to plastics reprocessors. Electronic components are processed for precious metal recovery.
Recovery rate — Around 85–90% of a standard microwave by weight can be recovered and recycled. Nothing goes to landfill when using a licensed service.

HOW IT WORKS

Get a quote. Call 0800 599 9003 or fill in our online form. We confirm a fixed price immediately.
Book your slot. Choose same-day (most areas, call before noon) or next-day. We work around your schedule.
We collect. Our team arrives in the agreed time window. Unplug your microwave — that is all you need to do.
Receive your waste transfer note. Your microwave goes to a WEEE-licensed facility. If it works, it goes to charity first. You receive a waste transfer note as proof of legal, responsible disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Microwaves are classed as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and cannot go into your household recycling or general waste bin. They contain electronic components — including the magnetron — that must be processed at licensed facilities. Putting a microwave in the bin is illegal and can result in it ending up in landfill.
No. Standard skip hire companies exclude electrical items including microwaves from their permitted waste list. Adding one without prior agreement may result in extra charges or a refused collection.
Free options include: taking it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) yourself, listing it on Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace if it still works, donating it to the British Heart Foundation, or using retailer take-back (Currys, AO.com) when buying a replacement. Some licensed scrap dealers also collect for free.
Yes. Currys offers old appliance take-back under its WEEE obligations when you purchase a replacement. Select the old appliance removal option during online checkout. Some supermarkets (Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s) also accept small electricals for recycling in store — call ahead to confirm.
Taking it to your local tip (HWRC) yourself is free. Council bulky waste collection costs £0–£30 depending on your local authority. Professional collection with Scrap My Appliance starts from £25 when combined with other appliances, or from £35 as a standalone collection. All prices confirmed upfront with no hidden fees.
The magnetron is removed first by specialist operatives as it requires careful handling. Then the steel casing, copper wiring, transformer, and plastic components are separated and sent to appropriate recycling streams. Around 85–90% of a microwave by weight can be recovered and recycled. Nothing goes to landfill when using a licensed service.
You can take a microwave to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for free. Some councils also include microwaves in bulky waste or small WEEE collection services — pricing and availability varies by area. Check your local council website for exact options.
Yes — and this is usually cheaper per item. We regularly collect microwaves alongside washing machines, fridges, dishwashers, and cookers (all links: see internal linking map in Section 5) in a single visit. The per-item rate is lower when collecting multiple appliances together. See our appliance removal cost guide for 2026 pricing.

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Ready to Get Rid of Your Old Microwave?

Call free: 0800 599 9003 — or use our online form for a quote in 60 seconds. • £35 standalone • Same-day available • WEEE-licensed • 4.9★ rated

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