Water heaters
A water heater is mostly steel, with copper and brass fittings, so it has scrap value — most scrap yards and many transfer stations accept them (call ahead to confirm). Drain it first: shut off the water supply, disconnect the gas or electric and the water lines, attach a hose to the drain valve and empty the tank to cut the weight and avoid spills.
The easiest route when you're replacing it: both Home Depot and Lowe's haul away the old unit when you buy installation of a new one (Lowe's includes it at no extra charge; Home Depot's licensed installers take the old one to a disposal facility). Note that's tied to installation — stores don't accept water-heater drop-offs.
Window AC units and dehumidifiers (special rules)
These contain refrigerant, which makes them legally different from other bulky items. Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, it's illegal to vent refrigerant during disposal — it has to be recovered first by a technician with EPA-certified equipment. That's why you can't just set a window AC or dehumidifier out with the trash.
Two good routes: the EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, whose partners collect these appliances and properly recover the refrigerant and foam; and utility appliance-recycling bounty programs, where many electric utilities pick up old working units free and even pay a rebate. If you use municipal bulky pickup, the city often requires the refrigerant be professionally removed first — check its rules.
Gas grills
Handle a gas grill in two parts. First, deal with the propane tank separately — never put it in the trash, where it can rupture or explode. Swap it through an exchange program (AmeriGas, Blue Rhino), return it to the dealer, or take it (including small 1-lb camping cylinders) to a household hazardous waste collection.
With the tank removed, the grill body is largely scrap metal — the frame, lid, shelves and casters are recyclable even if rusty, so a scrap yard will usually take it. Pull off any non-metal or electronic bits (ignition wires, thermometer, knobs, hoses) that the yard asks you to separate.
Treadmills and exercise equipment
A treadmill is a heavy steel frame plus a motor and an electronic console — a mix of scrap metal, copper wiring and e-waste. If it still works, donate it: Habitat ReStore and the Salvation Army accept motorized equipment more readily than many thrift stores.
If it's dead, your options are municipal bulky-waste pickup, a scrap yard (some pay for the metal frame), or a junk-removal service that handles the hauling. Some scrap collectors will ask you to separate the recyclable metal from the console and non-recyclable parts first.
Hot tubs, and how city bulky pickup works
A hot tub or spa is the hardest of these — they weigh anywhere from about 500 to over 1,000 pounds and usually can't go out with normal bulky collection. Expect to need a junk-removal or demolition crew: they drain it, disconnect the plumbing and electrical, dismantle the shell, and separate the metal frame, pumps and heater for scrap from the wood, foam and plastic.
For everything in this guide, your city's bulky-item / large-item pickup is worth checking — but rules vary widely. Some cities collect large items and appliances free by appointment; others charge per item or per volume, cap the number of items, or require refrigerant appliances to have doors taped and Freon removed. Start with your local sanitation department's page.
Aluminum is the most valuable everyday metal in your bin — our aluminum recycling guide explains how to handle it.