Habitat for Humanity is one organization to
which you might be able to donate appliances.
As part of our coverage of the ongoing
cash for appliances rebate program, we've been reporting on
what to do with your clunkers as well as on appliance recycling, an important topic considering that only 5 to 10 percent of old appliances are responsibly "demanufactured" and recycled, according to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In New Jersey, as part of its efforts to get older, inefficient appliances off the grid and to ensure that they're properly handled, the
state's Clean Energy Program is offering a $50 bounty on working refrigerators and freezers that it picks up from consumers' homes. As we detailed in the recent "
Ever Wonder What Happens to Appliances You Get Rid Of?" many of those old refrigerators and freezers end up at JACO Environmental's facility in East Brunswick, New Jersey, where they undergo an environmentally responsible demanufacturing process.
At the retail level,
Best Buy and Sears participate in the
EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal Program.
But if you've got appliances that are of a relatively recent vintage and are still in good working condition, you might consider donating them to a reputable charity, such as
Goodwill,
Habitat for Humanity, or the
Salvation Army instead of sending them to the great appliance graveyard in the sky. To check the legitimacy of any charity, visit the sites of the three major charity-watchdog groups—the
American Institute of Philanthropy, the
Better Business Bureau, and
Charity Navigator.
Contact the branch of the charity in your area to see whether it's accepting working appliances and will pick up the equipment from you. Remember, never donate any appliance that's been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you have any doubt,
check with the CPSC.
Before the appliance is picked up, give it a cleaning and gather the owner's manual and any parts you have, such as a drying rack from a washing machine or shelves from a refrigerator. Finally, don't forget to request a receipt from the charity for each item you donate if you intend to
deduct the donation on your next tax return.
—Kimbery Janeway
Essential information: Check out our cash for appliances buyer's guides to air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters and find the best places to buy appliances. To stay on top of the latest cash for clunkers for appliances news, follow us at Twitter.com/CRHomegarden.
Build & Buy Car Buying Service
Get Ratings on the go and compare 
