Quick answer: Each family of appliances has its destination: cooling appliances (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers) need their refrigerant recovered; large appliances without refrigerant go to metal recycling; electronics go to a recovery program; working appliances can be reused. Wipe your data and ask where each item will go.
A clearout often brings together an old refrigerator, a dryer, a television and a box of cables. These items do not all take the same path, and some must never be crushed with the rest.
Direct answer: one destination per family of appliances
Cooling appliances need their refrigerant recovered by qualified people before they are dismantled or discarded. Stoves, washers and dryers go to metal recycling. Electronics go to a recovery program, after data is wiped. Working appliances can be reused. Ask the provider where each family will go.
Key terms
- Refrigerant: the gas in the cooling circuit of cooling appliances, governed by the Regulation respecting halocarbons.
- Producer responsibility: Québec rules requiring companies that market certain products, including many electronics, to recover them at end of life.
- Drop-off point: a place that accepts a category of devices for recovery.
Item by item
| Appliance | Usual destination | Before it leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator, freezer | Refrigerant recovery, then recycling | Empty, defrost |
| Air conditioner, dehumidifier | Same | Drain the water |
| Stove, washer, dryer | Metal recycling | Disconnect; gas needs a qualified technician |
| Television, monitor | Electronics recovery program | Nothing to wipe |
| Computer, phone, tablet | Recovery or reuse | Wipe the data |
| Small appliances | Reuse or recovery | Check whether they work |
Refrigerant
A cooling appliance must not be cut open or crushed with the gas inside. The Regulation respecting halocarbons governs the recovery of these gases by qualified people. Ask the provider how that step is done.
Electronics
Many electronic products fall under the Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises, which organizes their recovery. The City of Montréal also lists partner drop-off points for some items, including electronics. Remove your data and accounts first, then ask which program the devices will go to.
What to ask
- Where will cooling appliances go, and who recovers the refrigerant?
- Will electronics be kept apart from the rest?
- Will working appliances be set aside for reuse?
See also what to remove, donate, recycle or refer, special materials and donation and reuse.
Next step
See house clearouts, then request a clearout quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can a refrigerator go out with bulky items?
Check your borough's rules; refrigerant appliances are usually handled separately.
Are broken televisions accepted for recovery?
Often; recovery programs also take devices that no longer work.
Should batteries be removed from devices?
Yes, where possible; they follow their own channel.
Who disconnects a gas stove?
A qualified technician, before the day.
Sources
Sources checked on November 12, 2026.