HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF A VACUUM CLEANER

Sadly, all vacuum cleaners have a life expectancy, so you can’t expect to have your trusty Hoover beside you forever. No matter when your vacuum cleaner decides to stop working, disposing of it can be a challenge. It’s tempting to simply take your vacuum out to the curb and wait for it to be collected with your weekly garbage. However, if you do choose to go about disposing of your vacuum cleaner this way, odds are it’s going to be picked up by the city and burnt. Vacuums contain hazardous substances, making this option highly inadvisable. Vacuums are part of the large category of electronic waste items known as “e-waste_, which is considered the fastest-growing type of waste in the world. So, what do you do to properly dispose of a vacuum cleaner? Let’s take a look at your options.

Can Your Vacuum Cleaner Be Repaired?

Before you go ahead and try to dispose of your vacuum cleaner, you should consider whether or not it can be repaired first. New vacuum cleaners are expensive and there’s a possibility that yours will able to function again good as new with a simple repair.

Recycle Nation tells us why you should ensure your vacuum cleaner can’t simply be repaired before you recycle it: 

“If your vacuum cleaner stops functioning, try to determine if it can be repaired. The belts on the rollers do wear out after a while, and when that happens, the vacuum stops picking up dirt. See if you can locate a new belt at a hardware store or the place where you purchased the vacuum. If your vacuum is an older model, you may need to look online. If you replace the belt and your vacuum cleaner still does not work, try taking it to a vacuum cleaner repair shop. While many items in our society have become disposable, putting repair shops out of business, vacuums are a big enough investment that there are still stores that specialize in fixing them. Many are co-located with sewing machine repair shops, so if you are having a hard time finding a place that fixes vacuums, check with your local sewing machine repair business to see if they can fix it or recommend a place that can.”

Recycling a Vacuum Cleaner

Surprisingly enough, vacuums are usually able to be fully recycled. Even though they are composed of several different materials, the vast majority of these materials can either be repurposed or recycled.

Amy Anthony of Ohsospotless.com explains why the vast majority of vacuum cleaners are able to be fully recycled:

“When the time comes to dispose of our vacuums, many of us haven’t a clue of where to begin. Aside from pitching it to the curb, that is. Generally speaking, it’s important to remember that only very few items aren’t recyclable. Because vacuums are made with several different materials, cases of non-recyclable devices are extremely rare. If your device can be plugged in or comes with a battery, it can be reused.”

Taking Your Vacuum Cleaner to a Donation Centre

If your vacuum cleaner is still in at least a decent working order, taking it to a donation centre is the best way to go. Just because your vacuum is no longer able to live up to the standards that you need for your home, doesn’t mean someone else less fortunate may not be able to get some use out of it.

Floorcritics.com tells us more about their number one option for disposing of a vacuum cleaner: 

“You can donate a used multi-purpose or hardwood vacuum, provided it’s clean and in working condition. Larger organizations like the Salvation Army and Goodwill will often pick-up donations right from your home. The easiest way to schedule a pick-up is the Donation Town website. This site organizes charity by location and donation type. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community and help those less fortunate. Best of all, it just feels good. And that’s not all, most charities issue tax-deductible receipts you can use as a write-off.”

We offer a wide variety of waste disposal options, including the disposal of old vacuum cleaners, with services readily available online. Reach out to us to see what we can offer you.