How To Dispose Of Your Old And Broken Lawn Mower

When your trusty lawn mower finally sputters its last breath, you might be tempted to just roll it out to the curb and call it a day. But unlike a broken lamp or unwanted leftovers from the fridge, a dead lawn mower is a complex machine that cannot simply be tossed in the trash. Standard municipal services will almost certainly refuse to haul away this type of item, not just because of how bulky it is, but also because it contains hazardous remnants of gas and oil. This easily rules out the easiest disposal method, so what options are left? While there are more ways to safely get rid of an old lawnmower, a broken mower limits your available options down to giving it to a recycling facility or selling it for scrap.

For example, while you might be able to donate a gently-used, working mower to an organization like Habitat for Humanity, a broken-down unit simply would not be accepted since the group lacks the resources to repair or safely process heavy equipment waste. You could also just let the mower sit in your shed or (more likely) in your garage, taking up valuable real estate. But not only is an unsightly, broken machine a constant eyesore, letting it sit for an extended period of time can become dangerous, especially if it still holds flammable residual gas or oil. It's time to move that rusty, broken mower out and reclaim your space. Here's how.

Fortunately, you have two excellent and responsible options for getting rid of your old lawn mower, and both focus on recycling the valuable metals that it's made up of. The first is to take the mower to a metal-specific recycling facility. These facilities specialize in handling large items mostly made of metal and will process the material to be melted down and reused. While this is an environmentally sound choice, note that you will likely need to transport the mower yourself, and that you are not guaranteed any payment for it. Recycling facilities are simply a responsible disposal service, whether or not you think they're really worth it.

Alternatively, your best bet for both disposal and recouping a little cash is to sell it to a local scrap yard. Scrap yards are often eager to purchase items like old lawn mowers, as they offer a good amount of aluminum and steel, along with useful bits like motors. The price they'll pay will depend on the current market value.

Whichever route you choose, though, know that there is a mandatory preparation step you'll need to take before dropping your mower off: completely draining it of all fluids before the scrap yard or recycling center accepts it, due to the environmental and safety hazards associated with fuel and oil. If you already know how to dispose of old gasoline and oil, feel free to handle this yourself; otherwise, we recommend paying a pro to take care of it for you. By choosing either recycling or scrapping, you ensure the vast majority of your mower's material gets reused, effectively giving your old mower a new life.