Air Conditioners in Los Angeles - Recycle, Sell, or Donate

Air Conditioners in Los Angeles covers where to recycle air conditioners in Los Angeles.

Last reviewed by James Hartley on 02 April 2026

Where Can I Recycle Air Conditioners in Los Angeles?

Residents can recycle air conditioners at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's for free haul-away programs. The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation also offers a bulky waste collection service.

According to the Shift Project, manufacturing a new smartphone produces 50-80kg of co2 equivalent.

Air Conditioners recycling in Los Angeles is important due to the hazardous materials they contain, such as refrigerants and oils that are regulated by federal law. Air Conditioning units must be handled carefully to prevent environmental damage and comply with strict regulations under the Clean Air Act. Proper disposal ensures these appliances don't release harmful substances into the environment.

Free Disposal Options for Air Conditioners in Los Angeles

Residents can drop off their air conditioners at Best Buy, which offers a free recycling program across multiple locations in LA County. The Home Depot and Lowe's also provide similar services through haul-away programs when purchasing new units or certain accessories. Local utilities like Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power offer pickup services for appliance recycling as part of their EPA RAD (Refrigerant Asset Disposal) program.

According to the UNEP, A single tonne of circuit boards contains 40-800 times more gold than a tonne of ore.

Hazardous Material Handling for Air Conditioners in Los Angeles

Air conditioners contain refrigerants, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act. Only EPA Section 608 certified technicians can safely recover these substances to prevent venting and comply with federal law. The City of Los Angeles partners with utility companies through the EPA's RAD program to ensure proper disposal of hazardous materials like refrigerants, mercury switches, and oils.

Scrap Value

Air conditioners do have scrap value due to their copper tubing and metal components. On average, a window unit weighing 20-35 kg can fetch around $5-$10 at local scrapyards based on the current market price for copper per pound. This value fluctuates depending on metal prices.

Municipal Bulky Waste Collection Schedule

Los Angeles residents can book bulky waste collection through the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation's website or by calling 323-846-1700. Requests are typically processed within two weeks, and collections occur every other week. Air Conditioners in Los Angeles is free for up to three items per address.

eCycling Central covers all types of recycling including appliances, helping you recycle responsibly in Los Angeles.

Sources

• Shift Project
• UNEP