Appliance Disposal in Salisbury & Wicomico County, MD (2026 Guide)

An old refrigerator, a dead washer or a stove left behind after a kitchen remodel is one of the harder things to get rid of in Salisbury. Appliances are heavy, they don't fit in a trash can, and the ones that hold refrigerant have their own disposal rules. The free city bulk weeks don't even take them. This guide covers every appliance disposal option for Salisbury and the rest of Wicomico County, using the rules and fees the Wicomico County Solid Waste Division, the City of Salisbury, Delmarva Power and the U.S. EPA publish.

If you just want it gone, request a free estimate or call or text (443) 365-1942. We're open Monday–Saturday, 8 AM–5 PM.

Quick answer: your appliance disposal options

One thing to know up front: the City of Salisbury's free bulk weeks (the third week of March and September) don't include appliances. The city's guidelines say the items with extra charges, which include refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers and air conditioners, aren't part of the free weeks.

Option 1: Delmarva Power's no-cost pickup for working fridges and freezers

If your refrigerator or freezer still works and your electricity comes from Delmarva Power in Maryland, check this first. Under the Delmarva Power Appliance Recycling Program, which is part of EmPOWER Maryland, the utility picks the unit up at no charge and mails a $50 check for each large refrigerator or freezer. You get an extra $25 for a working room air conditioner, dehumidifier or mini fridge picked up at the same time.

The rules, from Delmarva Power's how-to-participate page (checked November 3, 2026):

• You must be a Delmarva Power Maryland residential electric customer, and you must own the appliance. Pickup is from the address on the billing account.
• The appliance must be working, with no mold or mildew damage. Large fridges and freezers must be 10 to 30 cubic feet.
• Empty and clean it, defrost it so it's dry, drain the drip pan and disconnect the water line. The program's contractors can't disconnect water lines, and your pickup gets rescheduled if it's still connected.
• There has to be a clear path out. They can't remove railings or move furniture, and units above the second floor need elevator access. An adult has to be home for an in-home pickup.
• The limit is two large and two small appliances per account per year.
• Deadlines: for 2026, schedule by December 10, 2026, and the unit has to be collected by December 31, 2026. Delmarva Power says it's waiting on a Maryland Public Service Commission decision about running the program in 2027.
• Schedule online or call 1-833-202-3658.

The program won't take broken appliances, washers, dryers or stoves. For those, keep reading.

Option 2: City of Salisbury paid bulk pickup (city residents)

The City of Salisbury's Yard Waste & Bulk Trash guidelines describe a paid bulk pickup on Mondays. You call the City Finance Department at 410-548-3110, pay the $30 base charge (which covers 3 items), and the request goes to Sanitation for a Monday pickup. Items have to be at the curb by 6 AM on your scheduled Monday.

Appliances cost extra on top of the $30 base:

• Refrigerator: $26
• Freezer: $26
• Air conditioner: $22
• Washer: $6
• Dishwasher: $6
• Dryer: $4
• Stove/range: $4

That guideline sheet is dated 2023, but the city's Field Operations page still links it. Confirm the current fees when you call. The catch is that you have to get the appliance to the curb. A 250-pound refrigerator in a basement is a two-person job with a dolly, and the city won't take items its Sanitation Superintendent considers too heavy or bulky.

Option 3: Haul it to Newland Park Landfill yourself

Wicomico County's household permit rules list appliances that contain refrigerant or coolant as an item not covered by the household permit. In plain terms:

• Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and other appliances with refrigerant can't be left at the county's convenience centers. They go to the Brick Kiln Road facility (Newland Park Landfill, 6948 Brick Kiln Rd, Salisbury) and cost $20 per unit.
• Items that go across the scales are charged at $88 per ton with a $10 minimum. The County Council approved $100 per ton starting January 1, 2027 under Resolution 93-2026.
• The scales are open Monday–Saturday, 7 AM–4 PM. The office is open Monday–Friday, 7:15 AM–3:15 PM, at 410-548-4935.
• The county's recycling list includes "all scrap metals and electronics," with no permit needed, but excludes TVs and computer monitors, and it accepts electronics only at Newland Park. An appliance without refrigerant, such as a washer, dryer or stove, is mostly scrap metal. Call the office before you load up to ask where to unload it.

Holiday closures for the rest of 2026 (from the county's 2026 holiday schedule): on Wednesday, November 11, the landfill and scales are open but the office is closed. Everything is closed on Thursday, November 26, Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25.

For more on permits, scale hours and what the convenience centers take, see our Newland Park Landfill guide.

Why refrigerators and AC units are handled differently

Refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners and dehumidifiers hold refrigerant. Under the EPA's safe disposal requirements, the final person in the disposal chain, such as a scrap metal recycler or a landfill, is responsible for making sure the refrigerant is recovered before the appliance is disposed of. If the refrigerant has already been removed, that recycler or landfill has to keep a signed statement saying so. That extra handling is the reason the county charges a per-unit fee for refrigerant appliances on top of weight.

For you, that means three things:

• Don't cut refrigerant lines or try to drain the refrigerant yourself to make the unit lighter or "scrap-ready."
• Don't leave an old fridge outside with the door on while you wait for a pickup. Delmarva Power's program asks that outdoor units be closed securely so children can't open them. Tape or strap the door shut.
• If a scrap yard asks for a signed statement about the refrigerant, that's the federal rule at work, not red tape.

How to get an appliance ready to go

1. Empty it. Remove food, shelves you want to keep, and anything in the drawers or the drum.
2. Defrost fridges and freezers a day ahead and wipe them dry, so water doesn't leak through the house or the truck.
3. Shut off and disconnect the water for fridges with ice makers, washers and dishwashers. Washer hoses hold water, so drain them into a bucket.
4. Leave gas disconnects to a qualified pro. If your dryer or range runs on gas, have the gas line capped by a qualified technician or your gas provider before anyone moves it.
5. Measure the path out. Check doorways, stair turns and railings. Fridge doors often have to come off to fit through.
6. Take a photo of the unit and where it sits. That's all a junk removal company needs for a quote.

Need an appliance hauled out? INSTA removes refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves and other appliances across Salisbury and Wicomico County, from basements, garages, kitchens and sheds. We price by how much space your items take up in our truck, with item type and access factored in. Loading, hauling and disposal are included in the quote, and the estimate is free and no-obligation. Get a free estimate, call or text (443) 365-1942, or see our Salisbury junk removal page.

When a junk removal crew makes more sense

• The appliance is broken. The Delmarva Power program only takes working units.
• It's in a basement, upstairs or behind a tight turn. City pickup is curbside only, and getting a full-size fridge up basement stairs is the part most people don't want to do.
• There's more than one. A kitchen remodel, rental turnover or estate cleanout often means a fridge, a range, a dishwasher and a pile of other junk at once.
• You don't have a truck, or you can't get to Brick Kiln Road during scale hours.
• Timing matters, for example when you're closing on a house or between tenants and can't wait for a scheduled Monday pickup.

To see what else shapes a quote, read what affects junk removal cost in Salisbury.

More local guides

• What Affects Junk Removal Cost in Salisbury, MD (2026 Guide)
• Newland Park Landfill & Bulk Trash in Salisbury, MD: A 2026 Homeowner's Guide
• Hot Tub Removal on Delmarva: What It Involves
• Property cleanouts in Salisbury, MD

Frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of an old refrigerator in Salisbury, MD?

If it works and you're a Delmarva Power Maryland customer, schedule a no-cost pickup through Delmarva Power's Appliance Recycling Program (1-833-202-3658). You get a $50 check, and the 2026 deadline to schedule is December 10. Otherwise, City of Salisbury residents can book a paid Monday bulk pickup ($30 base plus $26 for a refrigerator) through the Finance Department at 410-548-3110. You can also take it to Newland Park Landfill, 6948 Brick Kiln Rd, where refrigerant appliances cost $20 per unit, or hire a junk removal crew to carry it out.

Does Salisbury's free bulk week take appliances?

No. The City of Salisbury's guidelines say refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers and air conditioners aren't included in the free bulk weeks held in the third week of March and September. They can go out with the paid Monday bulk pickup for an added fee.

How much does the Wicomico County landfill charge for appliances?

Wicomico County charges $20 per unit for appliances that contain refrigerant or coolant. They have to be brought to the Brick Kiln Road facility, because convenience centers don't accept them. Loads that cross the scales are charged at $88 per ton with a $10 minimum, rising to $100 per ton on January 1, 2027.

Can I put a washer or dryer out with my regular trash?

No. Appliances are bulk items. In the City of Salisbury, a washer adds $6 and a dryer $4 to the $30 paid bulk pickup. In the county, scrap metal is listed as a recyclable that needs no permit, so call the Solid Waste office at 410-548-4935 to ask where to unload it.

Will Delmarva Power take a broken refrigerator?

No. The Delmarva Power Appliance Recycling Program only accepts working refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, dehumidifiers and mini fridges, without mold or mildew damage. A broken unit needs to go through city bulk pickup, the landfill or a junk removal company.

The featured image is an illustrated graphic, not a photo of an INSTA job. Rules, fees and dates were checked against the Wicomico County Solid Waste Division, Wicomico County Council Resolution 93-2026, the City of Salisbury, Delmarva Power and the U.S. EPA on November 2–3, 2026. They can change, so confirm before you go.