Water heater disposal — where to take an old tank
An old water heater is mostly steel, so many drop-offs take it as an appliance or scrap metal, often for a small fee and sometimes free. The work is getting it out: drain it, disconnect it and move it.
Short answer
- Drain it completely before you move it.
- Scrap metal or appliance drop-offs usually take it, often for $5 to $10 at the sites we've seen.
- Replacing it? Ask your plumber whether they'll haul the old one away.
- Some sites want fluids removed from any appliance or metal they take.
Where it goes
- Hooksett, New Hampshire: washers, dryers and water heaters $5.
- Centralia, Washington: washers, dryers, stoves and water heaters $10 each.
- Oneida County, Wisconsin: stoves, washers, dryers and water heaters $10.
- San Juan County, New Mexico: free recycling as metal at all 12 stations.
- Lawrence County, Indiana takes non-refrigerated appliances, water heaters included, and salvage metal with the fluids removed.
Our appliance guide covers other large appliances.
Find a drop-off near you
Enter your city or ZIP for the nearest sites, then check each site's page for appliance and scrap metal fees.
Common questions
How do you dispose of an old water heater?
Drain it, then take it to a drop-off that accepts appliances or scrap metal, or ask your plumber whether they'll haul it away with the replacement. Fees at the sites we've seen run from free to about $10.
Can a water heater go in the trash?
Not in a curbside cart. It goes to appliance or scrap metal collection at a drop-off or landfill.
Do I need to drain the water heater first?
Yes. Some sites, such as Lawrence County, Indiana, take appliances and salvage metal only with the fluids removed.