Wondering How To Get Rid Of An Old Lawn Mower
When you have an old, broken lawn mower, you know that getting rid of it can be difficult, frustrating, and time-consuming. Were here to help! From lawn mower disposal to donation, read on for some great ideas about how to dispose of your old mower.
How to Dispose of Lawn Mowers:
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How To Dispose Of Old Lawn Mowers
28 January, 2010
Riding tractors and walk-behind mowers cut the time it takes to mow the lawn, but no matter what type you use, eventually it needs replaced. Deciding what to do with the old one depends on the condition its in and how enterprising you are. Some mowers can be sold for a little money, but you may prefer to donate it or recycle it.
What You Can Do With Unusable Equipment
There is still a way to make some money from your old, but unusable, landscaping equipment. Whether itâs an edger, leaf blower, hedge clippers, weed trimmer, snow blower or a lawnmower, there are materials in them and on them that can be sold.
Sell it as scrap metal
The fact is, you might be able to sell these items to a scrap metal dealer. According to Hunker.com,
âMost buy mowers at scrap metal prices that fluctuate daily in accordance with the market. You wonât get as much as if you parted it out, but engines and some decks are made with aluminum castings. Junkyards usually pay aluminum breakage prices, which is more than they pay for plain steel, for a mower sold as a unit.â
According to a post on Scrap Metal Junkie, scrap metal buyers are one option:
âOld lawn mowers and small engines are a great source of scrap aluminum and steel. Unfortunately, it is far too time consuming to take a whole small engine apart to separate into non-ferrous metals . The trick for those of us selling them for scrap metal, however, is getting a fair price for the value of the metal.â
However, they go on to point out that small engine mechanics are often a far better source for selling your old powered equipment, even if they arenât currently running. According to the post you will be able to make two or three times more money by selling a lawn mower for parts than you would if you sold it to a scrap yard.
1. Separate the metals
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Why Is Throwing Away Your Lawn Mower Bad For The Environment
Two reasons. Firstly, anyone abandoning his or her mower without going through the proper disposal process probably either doesnt care or doesnt know that they should empty out all the fluids.
Petrol lawn mowers will have gas sitting in one compartment and engine oil in another. If these fluids are not removed, you know that at some point they will find there way into the ground or the nearest body of water. Improper lawn mower disposal is not just bad for the environment either the liquids represent a health hazard to humans. If that werent enough, its also a fire hazard.
Secondly, the metal and plastic parts of the lawn mower wont do the environment any good sitting in the ground. Every bit of scrap metal recycled reduces our need for new metal just a tiny bit.
Where To Take Old Lawn Mowers Near Me
Planning to buy a modern, feature-rich lawn mower is truly an extraordinary step. Before buying a new one, however, youll need to free up space by donating or selling the old one. But you dont know where to take an old lawn mower near you or how to get rid of it, right?
Not to worry! Fortunately, you have come to the right place to learn more about recycling old lawnmowers. Read on to learn how to easily recycle your old lawnmower.
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Does Lowes Sell Parts For Lawn Mowers
Yes, Lowes sells lawn mower parts and accessories, including blades, belts, additional accessories, lifts, seat covers, and spindles.=
Additionally, Lowes sells popular lawn mower brands such as CRAFTSMAN, Kobalt, Honda, BLACK+DECKER and SKIL, and many more.
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Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Our Lawn Mower Recycling Services
With over 230 tons of trash taken to U.S. landfills every year, its more important than ever to find greener ways to get rid of unwanted junk. Responsible disposal of your landscaping and gardening tools is simple when you choose LoadUp. Learn more about our eco-friendly junk removal services in the video below.
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Where Can I Get Rid Of My Old Lawn Mower
Answer: To dispose of an old lawnmower, call your local waste hauler and schedule a bulky item pick-up. If your lawnmower contains gasoline, it will need to be removed and taken to a location that collects household hazardous waste.
Where can I donate my lawn mower?
Fortunately, donating your used lawn mower is fairly easy. Donate your used lawn mower to a thrift store or re-use center.
Purchase Something That Will Last
In addition to the impact of running your mower, theres also the energy and pollution created when manufacturing it and then recycling it . This means its better to purchase something that will last longer. Dont buy a cheap lawn mower that will only last a few years, instead get one that will last 20 years.
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How To Dispose Of An Old Lawnmower
OK, its getting to the end of summer and youre probably getting tired of cutting the grass. It might be more exciting if you had a new lawnmower. Sadly, it could be time to get rid of that beloved old clunker youve had for years, or time to finally carry off the one that has become an eyesore of a lawn ornament.
Why not splurge on one of the newer models with self-propelled wheels or a shiny lawn tractor? There are probably some really good end-of-season sales.
Now that youre all excited about a new mower, you might begin to wonder, then, how to dispose of your old mower, especially if it is one of the larger, tractor-type riding mowers. Depending on its condition, you might be able to sell it. But if youre like many, youve probably gotten all the good years out of it you possibly can. Let us help.
Go To A Lawnmower Manufacturer And Ask For Trade
Some companies that manufacture lawn mowers offer trade-ins in exchange for a new machine of the same brand.
A good option would be to contact your lawn mower manufacturer and ask if they can offer that deal to you.
But this would also depend on a variety of factors such as the:
- Date of purchase
- The extent of the damage
- Depreciation in functionality
If your lawn mower is still good as new and highly functioning, there is a high chance you will be able to obtain the trade-in promotion because your local manufacturer can repair it and raise its value.
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Does It Cost To Get Rid Of A Lawn Mower
Getting rid of an old broken lawn mower will cost you money, or you may make money out of it, either way.
You may pay for pickup services when taking a mower to a charity or nonprofit organization, as some dont offer free pickup service. Hauling the mower yourself to the center may cost you money for carrying it on a truck to the place.
If you call a junk removal service company to come and dispose of it, they will charge you money for disposing of it.
Taking the mower to the recycling center will cost you hauling fees, and the recycling center charges you too. When you take the lawn mower to a mechanic to drain the old oil and gasoline on your behalf, the mechanic will charge for drainage services.
If you sell the mower online as a second-hand item or thrift stores or take it to a scrap metal dealer, you will make money from your old or broken mower.
The best way to be safe is to budget for the mower disposal if you use any of the above methods incurring a cost. Before any operation, be sure to confirm if the charges are affordable to you.
Reference
University of Minnesota Extension: Mowers and mowing safety.
Recycling Old Lawn Mowers Near You
There are many ways you can recycle an old lawnmower than taking it to the Home Depot or your local recycling center. When it comes to recycling a lawn mower or any other tool, we think of the municipal recycling plant with all of its ripping or crushing machines as well as heavy equipment.
The truth is, sending stuff off to someplace we equate with recycling isnt the only way to recycle, and its actually usually the least effective form of recycling out there.
The truth is that sending things somewhere we equate to recycling isnt the only way to recycle and, in fact, is often the least efficient form of recycling.
However, you may consider these alternative recycling methods first if you are looking to recycle used lawn mowers in your area:
- giving it to a friend or family member or a neighbor.
- donating it to charity or a nonprofit organization.
- selling it on Craigslist, Facebook, LetGo, etc.
- selling it for parts or scrap at a junkyard.
Obviously, if your old lawnmower is badly worn out or has stopped working, you dont want to choose any of the first 4 options on this list. If you would like to donate your old mower, it is really important to make sure that the mower is still in good condition.
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Turn Your Mower Into A Piece Of Art
Okay, so most of you wont have the time or talent to turn a mower into a piece of pop art but I had to start off this suggestion list with some inspiration. So if you are not wanting to turn something busted into something you can look at forever then you can skip this and head to the next suggestion.
How To Recycle Your Lawn Mower
Before you store, scrap, or recycle a lawn mower, the first step you should take should be to remove all the fluid within. Place a container beneath the engine drain and pull out the plug, then siphon all the gas left in the tank. If youre not sure how to do this, check the instructions that came with your mower . Or if its working you could keep using it until the fuel has run out.
Remember to use seal-able containers you dont want to allow gas or engine oil to flow freely on the ground as theyre a hazardous waste. Reuse or dispose of the fluids in an appropriate manner .
Once youve removed the fluids, youve got a few choices:
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Who Buys Old Lawn Mowers
There are several options for selling your old lawn mower. Many people will buy old or broken lawn mowers at yard sales for cheap to later fix and resell. If youre looking to get a little more for that old mower, a yard sale might not be the best bet.
Another option for selling your old lawn mower is listing it online. There are some great apps you can use, including eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and Carousell. You can also list your old mower for sale on sites like Craigslist.
NOTE: When selling items online, always meet in a public place such as a busy parking lot.
Be sure to write a detailed description and post good-looking photos to make it more appealing. If your lawn mower doesnt work, you may still be able to try and sell it for parts.
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Can You Recycle Your Lawn Mower
Since it is made of metal and plastic parts, your old lawn mower can be recycled.
Some cities and towns offer pickup of your large items for recycling, as long as you request a pickup well in advance. However, most areas require that you haul your items to a local recycling facility or drop-off event.
You can expect to pay a fee when dropping off your old lawn mower to be recycled, and you should take it to a professional to remove any gas or oil residue before it can be recycled.
However, recycling your old lawn mower and any other tools you have means keeping them out of landfills where they leach dangerous chemicals and fumes into the air, soil, and water.
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Buy A More Efficient Lawn Mower
Even the most efficient gas lawn mower is bad for the environment. If you are ready to buy a new lawn mower, consider choosing a manual lawn mower. Mowing your lawn manually wont create any pollution although it will take a bit more effort!
Additionally, because there are fewer moving parts, a manual push lawn mower should have a considerably longer lifetime than a gas lawn mower. Plus, there are fewer plastic parts, so theyre easier to recycle once they do reach end of life most of it will be scrap metal that cant be recycled.
If youve got too much grass to consider a manual lawn mower, an electric lawn mower might be the right choice. Cordless options enable you to use them even on large lawns, and they cause considerably less pollution than a petrol mower. This option is even better if youre getting your energy either direct from renewable resources or use an energy supplier that focuses on renewables.
How To Dispose Of A Lawn Mower That Still Works
Figuring out how to dispose of a lawn mower that still works is a matter of free time and urgency. Some people have a ton of free time and are able to weigh their options for a while, but some people will probably need to dispose of the mower right away. The way I see it, there are only two ways to get rid of a working mower: either give it away or sell it. Though this might seem cut and dry, both of these methods offer a few options.
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Benefits Of Riding Lawn Mowers
If you are looking for reasons to buy a riding lawn mower, there are quite a few. For one, wider decks are ideal for large properties. Wider decks also imply wider cutting diameters.
Of course, with a wide cutting surface, you will need to make fewer runs to cut all the grass on your property. This even applies to a commercial setting where you are hired for the same. You thus end up saving a lot of time.
You also dont have to get tired. With most other mowers, you will have to either walk behind, push, or pull them. You expend a lot of energy moving up and down the property. With the riding lawn mower, you just sit on the device and maneuver it to where you want it to go.
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How To Prevent Needing To Dispose Of Your Lawn Mower
Most recycling centers will take your old lawn mower if it is in working order. However, you can prevent the need to dispose of your lawn mower by proper lawn mower management. Store your mower indoors in a dry area to prevent rusting. Clean the undercarriage of your mower regularly to prevent build-up of grass clippings and other debris. These simple steps will prolong the life of your mower and save you money in the long run.
For more information on recycling center locations, visit loadup.com/locations/lawn-mowers/.
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First Dispose Of The Oil & Gas
You will most likely have old oil and or gas in your mower that will do no good to whoever ends up with it. Plus you dont want to be transporting flammable liquids in your car or in the back of a truck as it could end up spilling and causing other issues.
The easiest way to empty the oil and gas tanks is to remove the cap one at a time and then tip the mower on its side and pour out the old into an oil or gas safe container. You may need to tip over completely to get the last drops out. Always use hand gloves and safety goggles.
Also, remove the spark plug.
Share Equipment Between Neighbors
Making the switch to manual or electric lawn mowing? Great! But you can cut down on waste even further by sharing equipment with your neighbors. After all, most of your mowers life is spent in your shed or garage it could easily be used by multiple people.
Sharing devices not only cuts down on materials used, but also on cost you only have to buy a third or a half of a lawn mower. You can either pocket the difference or spend it on getting a better model.
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How To Scrap A Lawnmower
A lawnmower that’s beyond repair shouldn’t simply be added to the curb with your weekly trash because you can get cash for the metal that comprises the lawnmower. If you simply take the whole lawnmower to the scrap yard, they’ll most likely only pay you the price of aluminum breakage, aluminum that is dirty and contaminated with steel. The value increases greatly if you take the lawnmower apart and separate the different metal components from the parts that can’t be scrapped — the scrap yard will pay more if they don’t have to disassemble and clean it.
