When your lawn mower keeps breaking down or you buy a new one, you face a simple question: how to recycle old lawn mower?
Getting rid of big garden tools the right way is important. It helps the environment. Sometimes, it can even give you a small bonus, like cash or spare parts.
In this piece, we’ll look at different ways to recycle an old lawn mower. From taking it to a scrap yard to finding new uses for its parts, you’ll see the best places for your old machine.
How to Recycle Old Lawn Mowers
Recycling your old lawn mower is a safe and eco-friendly way to get rid of it. The options you have will depend on the type of mower and where you live. Find some common recycling ways below:
1. Scrap Metal Recycling
Scrap metal recycling centers are a popular choice for disposing of old lawn mowers because they contain substantial amounts of valuable metal components.
Here is how to prepare for recycling:
Step 1: Thoroughly clean the equipment.Remove grass clippings, dirt, and other debris.
Step 2: Drain all fluids:
- Gasoline: Use a siphon pump to transfer to appropriate containers
- Engine oil: Drain into leak-proof containers
Note: These fluids need separate disposal; most recycling centers don't accept equipment with fluids
Step 3: Remove non-metal parts, such as plastic handles, rubber tires, etc. (Some recycling centers will handle this step for you.)
Step 4: Separate major components. Engine, metal housing, and other metal parts are usually more valuable.
Step 5: Finding scrap metal recycling centers:
- Use Earth911 to find nearby old lawn mower recycling centers.
- Call local scrap metal yards to ask if they accept gardening equipment
- Many recycling centers offer pickup services, especially for multiple pieces of equipment
2. Municipal Recycling Programs
Many cities and towns offer bulk item recycling services, which is one of the important avenues for where to recycle old lawn mower.
How to utilize municipal recycling:
- Contact local waste management departments: Ask if there are specialized recycling programs for power tools or gardening equipment
- Check for special recycling days: Many communities regularly hold "clean-up days" or "electronic waste recycling days"
- Schedule curbside collection: Some areas provide curbside collection services for large items
Note: Review recycling requirements: Some programs may require pre-draining fuel tanks and removing batteries
3. Trade-In Program
Trade-in programs are now a common way to recycle an old lawn mower. They are especially popular with people who want to switch to cleaner, electric models.
Many folks upgrade from gas mowers to smart machines with extra features. One example is the eufy Robot Lawn Mower E18. It avoids obstacles with 3D sensors, trims edges, runs quietly, and is waterproof. It works well for medium to large yards.
Some mower makers and dealers also run trade-in deals. They check your old mower and give you a discount when you buy a new one. But keep in mind, these programs often require you to buy from the same brand or from approved brands.
Trade-in process:
- Check current promotions and participating retailers
- Confirm if your equipment qualifies
- Bring old equipment to participating stores
- Receive discounts or gift cards for purchasing new equipment
4. Battery Recycling (for electric mowers)
Electric lawn mowers are becoming more common, and so is the need to recycle their batteries. Most use lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries, which can’t go in regular trash. They need special handling.
For example, the eufy Robot Lawn Mower E15 runs on a 93.24Wh battery that lasts about 90–110 minutes. When the battery wears out, it can be recycled in an eco-friendly way. This reduces waste and helps protect the environment.
Battery recycling key points:
- Remove battery packs from equipment
- Take batteries to designated electronic waste recycling centers
- Many major retailers (like Home Depot, Lowe's) offer free battery recycling services
- Use the Call2Recycle website to find recycle old lawn mower near mebattery locations
Other Ways to Dispose of Lawn Mowers
Besides the usual recycling methods, there are also creative ways to deal with an old lawnmower. It doesn’t matter if you have a gas mower or a modern robot lawn mower. When it reaches the end of its life, recycling is the smart choice.
1. Donate
If the lawn mower is still functional, consider donating it to communities, charities, or people in need.
Many non-profit organizations are willing to accept gardening tools. You can also contact local social service departments to inquire about donation channels.
2. Sell
You can also sell an old lawn mower through second-hand markets or local sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp. This gives the mower a new life and helps someone else.
Be sure to describe the machine's condition clearly and provide honest photos to build buyer trust.
3. Give Away
Sometimes friends, family, or neighbors might need an old lawn mower. Giving it to them helps both your friends and the community.
You can also use platforms like Freecycle, Buy Nothing groups, or Nextdoor. These are great places to give items away for free to people who can use them.
4. Landfill or Curbside Trash Pickup
While not the most environmentally friendly option, for severely damaged lawn mowers that cannot be recycled, landfills may be the last resort.
Even when sending to landfills, all fluids must be completely drained. Most trash pickup services won't collect curbside lawn mowers because they're considered bulk waste.
5. Junk Removal Service
Professional junk removal services can save you the hassle of handling large items, especially when you're disposing of multiple items simultaneously.
Most cities offer bulk waste removal services where you can schedule workers to pick up old lawn mowers from your home.
6. Repurpose / Upcycle
Tech enthusiasts can consider converting old lawn mower parts into other tools or machinery, extending their useful life.
For example, engines or blades can be used for DIY projects, while old housings can be converted into storage boxes.
Conclusion
Recycling an old lawn mower is a smart way to get rid of it. It helps the environment and can even save useful parts. You can take it to a scrap yard, trade it in, or find creative ways to reuse it.
By learning how to recycle old lawn mowers, you keep harmful waste out of landfills and give useful parts a second life. And when you upgrade to smarter tools, like the eufy line of mowers, you keep your yard care both effective and eco-friendly.
FAQs
How do I get rid of an old lawn mower near me?
You can use Earth911 or local recycling apps to find nearby options. Many scrap metal centers will take old lawn and garden tools, but it’s a good idea to call first to make sure.
Some hardware or garden stores also offer take-back or recycling services. Another option is to check with your city’s waste department. They may have bulk pickup or special collection days for items like old lawn mowers.
What to do with an old lawn mower that doesn't work?
The easiest and greenest way to deal with a broken mower is scrap metal recycling. First, pour out the gas and oil and throw them away the right way. Take off the battery, plastic parts, and rubber tires, since they may need their own recycling.
Then bring the metal frame and parts to a scrap yard. You might even get a little money for it. Some cities also have special pickup days for big items like old lawn mowers, which makes things even easier.
What can I do with an old lawnmower?
Old mowers can be useful in many ways. If it still works, you can donate it to a school, a community garden, or a local charity.
If it doesn’t run, the engine can be turned into a small generator or even a pressure washer. The metal parts can be used for art or as decorations in the yard. The wheels can work well for tool carts or other DIY projects.
A mower has lots of parts that can be reused—at least a dozen. From the frame to the cables, almost every piece can find a new purpose.
