As a retail and consumer expert, I know that upgrading to a new appliance can be exciting – but figuring out what to do with the old one is often an afterthought. Improper appliance disposal is a major problem, leading to environmental damage and wasted resources. Fortunately, many retailers are now offering a solution: appliance haul away services.
Lowe‘s is one such retailer leading the way in responsible appliance disposal. Their haul away service not only makes upgrading your appliances more convenient, but also ensures that your old appliances are recycled properly. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know about Lowe‘s appliance haul away service and why it matters for the environment.
The Environmental Impact of Appliance Disposal
Before we dive into the details of Lowe‘s haul away service, let‘s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Why is proper appliance disposal so important?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans discard over 60 million appliances each year. That‘s a staggering amount of metal, plastic, glass, and other materials ending up in landfills. When appliances are improperly disposed of, harmful chemicals like refrigerants, mercury, and PCBs can leak out and contaminate soil and water.
But it‘s not just about preventing pollution – appliance recycling also conserves valuable resources. The steel, copper, aluminum, and other metals in appliances can be recycled and reused indefinitely. In fact, using recycled steel instead of virgin ore to make new appliances reduces energy use by 75%, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
By recycling appliances responsibly, we can reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and prevent environmental contamination. That‘s where services like Lowe‘s appliance haul away come in.
How Lowe‘s Appliance Haul Away Works
Now that we know why appliance recycling matters, let‘s take a closer look at how Lowe‘s haul away service actually works. In a nutshell, when you buy a new appliance from Lowe‘s, you can opt to have them remove and responsibly dispose of your old appliance at the same time.
Here‘s how it works:
- When purchasing your new appliance in-store or online, let Lowe‘s know that you need the old appliance hauled away.
- Lowe‘s will charge a haul away fee of around $30, which covers the cost of removal, transportation, and recycling. This fee is waived for Lowe‘s Pro members.
- On your scheduled delivery day, make sure your old appliance is disconnected, emptied, and ready to go. Clear a path for easy removal.
- The Lowe‘s delivery team will remove your old appliance at the same time they install the new one. No extra appointment necessary.
- Your old appliance will be taken to a Lowe‘s distribution center, where it will be processed for recycling or donated to a local charity if it‘s in good working condition.
It‘s important to note that you can only use Lowe‘s haul away service if you‘re purchasing a new appliance from them. They won‘t pick up an old appliance separately. But if you are buying a new appliance anyway, it‘s a very convenient way to ensure your old one is disposed of properly.
Lowe‘s Appliance Recycling Process
So what happens to your old appliance after Lowe‘s hauls it away? I did some digging into Lowe‘s appliance recycling practices and was impressed by their commitment to sustainability.
Once your old appliance arrives at Lowe‘s regional distribution center, it‘s broken down into its component parts. Metal, plastic, and glass are separated out for recycling. Lowe‘s partners with certified recycling facilities to ensure these materials are processed properly.
Any hazardous materials, like refrigerants and mercury, are carefully removed and disposed of according to EPA regulations. Lowe‘s technicians are trained in safe handling procedures to prevent contamination.
The recycled metal from your old appliance may end up being used to make new appliances, as well as car parts, construction materials, and more. By recycling these valuable metals, Lowe‘s is helping to reduce the demand for mining and conserve natural resources.
In some cases, if an appliance is still in good working condition, Lowe‘s will donate it to a local charity or nonprofit instead of recycling it. This allows the appliance to have a second life and serve someone in need.
Lowe‘s has even been recognized by the EPA for its appliance recycling efforts. In 2014, Lowe‘s joined the EPA‘s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, which recognizes retailers that go above and beyond in promoting appliance recycling. Through the RAD program, Lowe‘s has recycled over 420,000 appliances and responsibly disposed of over 1.2 million pounds of hazardous waste.
Comparing Lowe‘s to Other Retailers
Of course, Lowe‘s isn‘t the only retailer offering appliance haul away services. How does their program compare to other major retailers? Here‘s a quick breakdown:
- Home Depot: Offers free haul away of old appliances with the purchase and delivery of a new appliance. Fees may apply for second appliance removal.
- Best Buy: Charges $29.99 for appliance haul away and recycling with new appliance purchase. Additional $25 fee for disconnection.
- Sears: Offers free haul away with new appliance delivery. Additional fees apply for built-in appliances and disconnection.
As you can see, Lowe‘s pricing is in line with other retailers. The main difference is that Lowe‘s waives the haul away fee entirely for Pro members, which could add up to significant savings for frequent appliance buyers.
It‘s also worth noting that not all retailers have the same recycling standards and processes. Lowe‘s RAD partnership and recycling facilities set a high bar for responsible appliance disposal.
Tips for Maximizing Appliance Recycling
As a consumer, there are a few things you can do to ensure your old appliance has the best possible chance of being recycled:
- Remove any non-metal components like shelves, drawers, and racks. These can‘t be recycled with the rest of the appliance and should be disposed of separately.
- Make sure the appliance is clean and empty. Remove any food debris and wipe down surfaces.
- Disable locks and latches that could prevent safe handling during transport.
- If possible, recycle the appliance through a retailer haul away program or responsible recycler. Avoid leaving it on the curb or dumping it illegally.
By taking these steps, you can help make the appliance recycling process as efficient and effective as possible.
The Big Picture: Lowe‘s Sustainability Efforts
Appliance recycling is just one piece of Lowe‘s larger sustainability initiatives. As a company, Lowe‘s has committed to reducing its environmental impact and promoting responsible practices.
Some of Lowe‘s other sustainability efforts include:
- Offering a wide selection of energy-efficient appliances and products
- Implementing energy-saving measures in stores, like LED lighting and programmable thermostats
- Reducing waste and increasing recycling across operations
- Sourcing wood products from responsible, sustainable forests
- Investing in renewable energy projects like solar and wind power
By supporting retailers like Lowe‘s that prioritize sustainability, consumers can use their purchasing power to drive positive change.
Conclusion: Making Appliance Recycling the Norm
Appliance disposal is a significant environmental challenge, but retailers like Lowe‘s are making it easier than ever for consumers to do the right thing. By offering convenient, affordable haul away services and investing in responsible recycling practices, Lowe‘s is setting an example for the industry.
As consumers, we have the power to make appliance recycling the norm. By taking advantage of retailer haul away programs, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and advocating for responsible disposal, we can all play a part in reducing waste and conserving resources.
So the next time you‘re upgrading an appliance, don‘t forget about the disposal process. With Lowe‘s appliance haul away, you can enjoy your new appliance guilt-free, knowing that your old one is being recycled responsibly.
