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DTE Appliance Recycling: Get $50 for Your Old Fridge or Freezer
DTE Energy pays residential electric customers a $50 gift card to pick up and recycle a working refrigerator or freezer.
If you are replacing a fridge or freezer, or have a second one running in the basement or garage, here is how the program works and what DTE requires. Check dteenergy.com/recycle before you schedule: DTE says funds are limited and offered first come, first served.
What DTE pays
What You Can Recycle and What You Get
| Item | Payment |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator or freezer, 10 to 30 cubic feet | $50 gift card |
| Small fridge or freezer under 9.9 cubic feet, room air conditioner or dehumidifier, picked up with a large unit | $20 extra |
You can also donate the gift card to THAW, United Way or Wayne Metro. DTE has also run drop-off events in Detroit with higher payments for registered participants, so check the program page for current events.
Rules
DTE’s Requirements
- You must be a current DTE residential electric customer.
- The fridge or freezer must be clean, empty, defrosted and in working condition.
- On pickup day it must be plugged in, running and disconnected from any water line.
- Units with cut power cords are not accepted.
- An adult 18 or older must be home to sign for the pickup.
- Crews will not move furniture, remove doors or railings, or modify your home, so clear a safe path out.
- Limits: two pickups per address per calendar year, with up to two large and two small appliances per pickup.
Schedule online through DTE or call DTE’s appliance recycling line at (866) 796-0512. To cancel or reschedule within 48 hours of the appointment, call the same number.
Repair or recycle?
Should You Repair It or Recycle It?
DTE only takes units that still work, so the program fits a fridge you are replacing while it still runs, or an extra fridge or freezer you no longer need. A second fridge running in a garage or basement adds to your electric bill all year.
If your only fridge has stopped cooling, start with a repair quote. Fans, relays, defrost parts and gaskets are usually worth fixing. A failed compressor on an older unit usually is not. Use the repair or replace calculator or see refrigerator repair in Detroit.
FAQ
DTE recycling questions
Does DTE take broken refrigerators?
No. The fridge or freezer must be in working condition, plugged in and running when the crew arrives.
How much does DTE pay for an old refrigerator?
A $50 gift card for a working refrigerator or freezer between 10 and 30 cubic feet, plus $20 for an eligible small unit, room air conditioner or dehumidifier picked up at the same time.
Do I need to be a DTE customer?
Yes, a current DTE residential electric customer.
Why can’t I just put an old fridge on the curb?
Refrigerators contain refrigerant that federal EPA rules require to be recovered before disposal. Recycling programs like DTE’s handle that for you.
Rather fix your fridge?
Tell us the brand and the problem, and we will give you the diagnostic fee and a likely price range on the phone.