The old washing machine in the laundry has been dead for three weeks. The fridge in the garage stopped working six months ago and has become an expensive way to store half-empty jars of something. The air conditioner that came with the house is from 2008 and just gave up.
Getting rid of large appliances in Perth is one of those household tasks that feels harder than it is. The good news: if your appliances are old enough to be scrap (which they usually are when they’ve stopped working), there’s a very reasonable chance you can either get paid for them or at least have them collected without it costing you anything.
Here’s a practical guide to all your options, starting with the one that pays.
Option 1: Sell them for scrap , the option most people don’t know about
Old whitegoods contain significant quantities of recyclable metal. A standard washing machine has roughly 15-20 kg of steel, plus copper in the motor windings and aluminium in various components. A fridge has steel in the body, copper in the compressor, and aluminium in the cooling elements. An old air conditioner has copper refrigerant tubing and aluminium fins.
At a scrap yard, these are accepted as mixed loads and paid by weight. You’re not going to retire on what a single washing machine pays , but it covers the fuel for the trip and then some.
What to expect: old whitegoods typically pay in the range of $5-$30 depending on the item, its weight, and how much non-metal material is attached. Heavier items (large fridges, commercial washing machines) pay more.
The requirement: at most Perth yards, you’ll need your driver’s licence (standard WA scrap metal transaction requirement). Some fridges and air conditioners need to have refrigerant removed before acceptance , more on that below.
What you can and can’t bring to a scrap yard
Most standard household whitegoods are accepted at Perth scrap yards with no special treatment:
- Washing machines and dryers , accepted as-is
- Ovens and cooktops , accepted, including gas ovens (with gas disconnected)
- Dishwashers , accepted
- Small appliances (microwaves, toasters, kettles) , accepted, though lower value by weight
The exception is anything containing refrigerants:
- Fridges and freezers , may need refrigerant removed first at some yards
- Air conditioners , same situation
Refrigerants (the gases that make cooling work) are environmentally hazardous and require licensed removal and disposal. Some Perth scrap yards handle this process themselves and will still accept fridges and ACs. Others require the refrigerant to be degassed by a licensed refrigeration mechanic before acceptance. Always call ahead to confirm before loading up a fridge.
At Starlight Metals, we accept domestic appliances including whitegoods. Call us about fridges and air conditioners before you come in and we’ll tell you exactly what’s needed.
Option 2: Council collection , free but slow
Most Perth councils offer verge collection services for large household items including whitegoods. These operate on a scheduled basis , typically once or twice a year per suburb , or on-demand for a small fee.
The upside: it’s free and you don’t have to transport anything. You put it on the verge, council collects it.
The downside: timing. If your washing machine died in November and the next scheduled verge collection in your Rockingham suburb is in March, that’s a four-month wait with a dead machine in your laundry. The on-demand service is available in many areas but the fee and wait time vary by council.
Contact your local council , City of Rockingham, City of Kwinana, or City of Cockburn depending on your suburb , to find out current verge collection schedules and fees for your area.
Get your old appliances collected or drop them off at our yard
We accept white goods at our Naval Base yard. Drop them off yourself or call to discuss pickup options for larger volumes. Same-day payment for accepted scrap items.
Call 0436 278 549 to check what we’re accepting today →
Option 3: Donate if they still work
If your washing machine still runs but you’re replacing it with something newer, donation is worth exploring before scrapping. Charities including Salvos, Vinnies, and smaller community organisations in the Rockingham and Kwinana areas sometimes accept working whitegoods.
Key word: working. Charities can’t repair appliances for you. If it’s dead, it’s not a donation candidate , it’s a scrap candidate. Some charities will do a brief assessment before accepting to confirm the item functions.
Check with your local St Vincent de Paul or Salvation Army store in Rockingham or Kwinana about their current acceptance policy. Some locations have more capacity than others.
Option 4: Retailer take-back
When purchasing a new appliance, some retailers offer to remove and dispose of the old one. This is worth asking about at the point of sale, particularly for large retailers.
The catch: retailer take-back usually means the appliance goes back into the retailer’s waste stream, which may or may not be recycled. You’re paying for convenience rather than environmental outcome. You’re also not getting any payment for the scrap value of the old appliance.
If the appliance has meaningful scrap value , an older commercial-sized washing machine, for example , it’s worth comparing the retailer’s take-back offer (typically no payment) against bringing it to a scrap yard (payment, however modest).
Option 5: Private sale
Old appliances that technically still work but aren’t worth the space , or that need a minor repair you haven’t bothered with , can sometimes sell on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree in Perth.
Reality check: the market for old whitegoods is price-sensitive. A 15-year-old washing machine in working condition might sell for $50-$150. A broken one won’t sell to most buyers. If it’s broken, scrap is usually a faster and more reliable outcome.
How to make the most of a scrap appliance load
If you’re heading to a scrap yard with multiple whitegoods, a few quick steps make the trip more worthwhile:
- Strip off plastic handles and panels where they’ll come off easily , they reduce the metal yield.
- Remove hoses and rubber seals from washing machines if they’ll pull out easily.
- Keep stainless steel appliances (commercial sinks, some dishwashers, restaurant equipment) separate from regular steel items , stainless pays significantly more per kilogram.
- Let the yard know you’re bringing whitegoods when you call ahead so they can confirm capacity and any specific requirements.
Frequently asked questions about whitegood disposal in Perth
Can I get paid for old whitegoods at a Perth scrap yard?
Yes. Most old household appliances contain significant recyclable metal and are accepted at Perth scrap yards for a payment based on weight. Exact amounts depend on the item type and weight , a large commercial washing machine pays more than a small countertop microwave. Call ahead with what you have for an indicative quote.
Do I need to remove the refrigerant from a fridge before scrapping it?
Some Perth yards require refrigerant to be removed by a licensed technician before acceptance. Others handle it themselves. Always call ahead before loading up a fridge or freezer to confirm what’s needed at that specific yard. Refrigerants are environmentally controlled substances and must be handled correctly.
Can I put old appliances on my verge in Perth?
Placing large items on your verge depends on your council’s scheduled collection dates and rules. Most Perth metro councils offer verge collection for whitegoods, but timing varies. Contact your local council (City of Rockingham, City of Kwinana, or City of Cockburn for southern Perth suburbs) to find out current collection schedules.
Is a broken washing machine worth scrapping?
Yes. A broken washing machine still contains 15-25kg of steel, copper windings, and aluminium components. At current scrap metal rates in Perth, a standard washing machine typically earns $5-$20 depending on weight. Not a fortune, but better than paying for tip disposal or waiting months for verge collection.
What’s the most valuable type of whitegood to scrap?
Commercial and industrial appliances generally pay more by weight because they’re heavier and contain more metal. Among standard household items, large front-loader washing machines are on the better end because of their steel and copper motor content. Stainless steel appliances (commercial grade sinks, dishwashers) pay significantly more per kilogram than standard steel appliances.
The quickest path to getting rid of it
For most Perth households with broken whitegoods, the fastest and most practical option is a scrap yard. There’s no scheduling lag, you get paid rather than paying, and the metal genuinely gets recycled , which matters more than it might seem, given how energy-intensive raw metal production is.
Call ahead, confirm what you’re bringing, check any refrigerant requirements if relevant, and drive in. The whole process from arriving to leaving with payment in hand is typically under 20 minutes.
Drop off your old whitegoods at our Naval Base yard
We accept domestic appliances across our serving areas , Rockingham, Kwinana, Henderson, Hope Valley and surrounds. Call to confirm what you’re bringing and we’ll get it sorted same day.