How to Dispose of a Dishwasher

The first mechanical dishwasher was invented in the United States in 1850. Early machines were bulky, unreliable and just as likely to smash all your dishes as they were to wash them! It wasn’t until the 1970s that the appliances started to become popular in domestic households, particularly in America. Around 50% of UK households own one of these luxury conveniences, with numbers still rising.

Options for Disposing of a Dishwasher

New technology means that dishwashers are now much more energy efficient, and use much less water. Retailers will often take away your old machine when they deliver a new one (usually for a small additional charge), but if you need to dispose of a dishwasher yourself you can find out more about the options here.

Sell

If you are getting rid of an appliance that is still in working order, you might choose to sell it and make a little bit of money. Advertise your dishwasher on a local selling site, social media or a noticeboard, making sure you specify if you can deliver the appliance or if someone will need to collect it. If you have kept the instruction manuals you can also pass these on to the new owner.

Donate

Some charities are able to accept donations of electrical items, small appliances, and white goods. If your dishwasher is still in good working condition, contact a local charity to see if they can make use of it. Charities will sometimes offer to collect your appliance, either for free or for a small donation.

Repair

Check the instruction manual and any common problems or troubleshooting advice before throwing away an appliance you believe to be broken. Sometimes there is a simple fix that could mean you can avoid disposing of a dishwasher needlessly. You may also be able to have your dishwasher repaired by a professional, or under the manufacturer warranty.

Recycle

Although you can’t add an old dishwasher to your household recycling bin, you might be able to take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). When you recycle a dishwasher, it will be broken down into its components and each different material will be recycled separately.

The recycling and disposal of appliances, white goods and all electrical items is controlled by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. These regulations ensure that all electronic items are disposed of responsibly, avoiding sending waste to landfill unnecessarily. For more information on how to dispose of other electrical items, check out our guide to disposing of electronic devices.

Dishwasher Disposal

If you need to dispose of a dishwasher, make sure you do so responsibly, you might also want to read our guide to white goods and old furniture disposal.

Moving an old dishwasher can be heavy and awkward, and transporting appliances is difficult if you don’t have a large vehicle – so the most convenient option might be to contact your local council. They can arrange for a licensed waste management provider to collect and dispose of your dishwasher safely and legally.

To dispose of a dishwasher, or any other large appliance you’ll need a licensed waste carrier that can make the process simple for you.