Nothing lasts forever. And the same is true for your lawn mower, even when it is top quality.
But then, most people don’t bump into the dilemma of how to get rid of a lawn mower that often, so the question is understandably valid.
Whether your old rusty machine has hit its end-of-the-line or you want to upgrade from a gas-powered lawn mower to an electric model, your old mower has to go.
Shed and garage space can prove super helpful in allowing your mower to sit around and collect dust, but we don’t recommend that.
Now let’s dive right into how to dispose of a lawn mower.
How to Dispose of an Old Lawn Mower
Contact a local waste collector to pick up your old lawn mower if it is completely grounded and you plan to dispose of it. Ensure you drain out all the gas and oil before disposing of the mower. If the mower is still working, selling or donating it are your best options.
Factors to Consider Before Disposing of a Lawn Mower
1. Old lawn mower Disposal method
Lawn mowers are too big to throw away in your trash. Leaving them on your sidewalk without supervision compromises other road users’ safety, which could cause you legal trouble.
So, what’s the proper way to dispose of lawn mowers? Your preferences will dictate. Choose a disposal method with the least stress or complexity for your wallet, timeframe, ability, and location.
Read: Can lawn mowers get wet?
2. Extent of damage
How serious is the damage? Can the lawn mower be repaired? Is the damage so big that you must immediately remove the mower?
Are you ready to go through the hassle of getting it mended at a nearby repair shop or manufacturing center?
If you can’t repair the damage, it’s time to get rid of it. But if the extent of damage is small and the mower can still work, then giving it away would be the best option for you.
3. How much of it do you want to dispose of?
Do you want to get rid of some parts or everything? How much of it would you like to dispose of if just a few parts?
Lawnmowers have many metallic parts that can be sold as scrap to make some extra money. You can also consider keeping some parts to help in other areas or your do-it-yourself projects.
4. Local laws
It’s important to know that owing to increasing environmental concerns, some states or localities have specific laws and regulations governing the disposal of lawn mowers.
Be sure to contact your local junk removal company for the recommended disposal methods.
5. Environmental pollution
Lawn mower disposal can be a daunting and time-consuming task, particularly when you consider the environmental impact caused by improper mower disposal.
The need to drain the oil residues or dangerous gasoline before getting rid of it makes the process even more complicated.
Leaking oil can end up in water systems or catch basins at waste recycling centers, polluting the environment with hazardous chemicals.
If you find lawn mower disposal too complex, consider hiring an expert to do it safely.
What to Do With an Old Lawn Mower?
How you get rid of your lawn mower will depend on two factors; whether the tool is broken or is still operational.
How to Get Rid of a Broken Lawn Mower
You can get rid of a broken lawn mower in a few easy steps. This section presents six options you can try.
Option 1: Recycle the Lawn Mower
4 steps to Recycling a lawn mower
#1. Drain Fluids
Drain the fluids from your mower a day before you recycle it. Start by disconnecting the plug below the engine’s block and drain the oil into a sealable metal or plastic container.
Siphon any residual gasoline from the mower’s engine tank into a metal or plastic container.
The rule of thumb is never to pour oil or gasoline down your drain or any other trash system. Instead, seal the containers once all the liquid has been drained.
Fluids from your lawn mower should be disposed of in the same way household hazardous wastes are.
Check with your nearby hazardous junk removal service provider to determine if they provide a pickup service.
Prepare the garbage pick-up as directed by your local waste hauler, or drop off your sealed oil or gasoline at the waste facility. Feel free to call them to ratify that the draining and sealing are properly done.
#2. Sort the parts
Separate the recyclable from the non-recyclable parts, and any non-metal waste is taken to the scrap metal recycling center.
Next, remove the mower tires and use wire cutters to strip away all the wires that join the machine’s handle to its engine.
Unscrew non-metallic parts connected to its handle and remove the engine’s rubber plugs and plastic components.
Recycle the remaining non-metal pieces like rubber tires and plastic grass collecting bins. Be sure to consult your local recycling facility regarding the bins to throw in the waste.
Tip: Once your mower is disassembled, use a magnet to select metal scraps and separate the non-metal pieces from parts to be recycled. Dispose of any other waste in the bins.
Related: Where to store lawn mower no shed
#3. Scrap the mower at your local recycling facility
Place the scrap metal in the right bins at the lawn mower recycling facility.
If you’re taking the trash to a scrap metal recycling center, contact them ahead to know if they offer scrap metal recycling services. If they don’t, let them advise where to take the scrap.
#4. Electric lawn mowers recycling by electrical recyclers
Electric lawn mowers are designed differently from gas-powered lawn mowers. And since they are considered as electrical wastes, they resemble electrical appliances or home electronics.
Tip: Your electric mower cannot be disposed of as scrap metal. Move it to a household junk center that recycles electrical items.
How to recycle electric lawn mower
To recycle an electric lawn mower, follow these steps:
- Prepare for Disposal: Remove the battery and any hazardous materials, such as oil or gasoline.
- Check Local Recycling Centers: Look for facilities that accept electric lawn mowers for recycling. Some recycling centers may have specific drop-off locations for electronic items.
- Manufacturer Programs: Check if the mower’s manufacturer offers recycling programs or take-back options.
- Local E-Waste Events: Keep an eye out for local electronic waste (e-waste) recycling events where you can dispose of the mower responsibly.
- Contact Waste Management: Reach out to your local waste management authority for guidance on proper disposal methods for electric lawn mowers.
Option 2: Sell as Scrap
How to sell a mower as a scrap
First and foremost, disassemble the lawn mower.
Step #1: Empty the gas tank
One way to empty the mower tank is to keep the machine running until the gas is finished.
If this doesn’t work, use a siphon hose to transfer the gas to a clean container safely. A siphon hose comes with a hand pump that makes removing gas from the gas tank easier.
Step #2: Remove the blade
Start by removing the spark plug, and then tilt the lawn mower to its right to remove its blade safely.
Remember to wear safety gloves when removing the blade from the lawn mower. Clean thoroughly and store it separately as scrap metal.
Using a riding lawn mower, use a ramp to access the blade since the machine is quite heavy and can’t be tilted easily.
Step #3: Drain residue oil
Remove any oil residue in the lawn mower’s fuel tank. Place a bowl below the oil drain valve and let the fuel drain out completely.
Never pour dangerous fuel down your drains. Instead, sell it to metal and plastic parts auto shops that can recycle and avail it for reuse.
Read: Do lawn mowers take regular gas?
Step #4: Clean the lawn mower deck
Here’s the easy step. The lawn mower deck should be cleaned when dirt or grass debris is on it. Always use a cleaning brush to clean the deck.
Step #5: Remove the tire hub
If the hub is made of metal, separate it from the tire, but not before removing the bolts and nuts that join the hub to the rim.
The nuts and bolts can be hard to crack, but pliers and wrenches can help. Be sure to wear goggles and gloves for safety concerns.
Step #6: Lawn mower handle removal
A push lawn mower has a removable handle. Start by disconnecting the place where the handle connects to the engine. Then, dispose of the handle as scrap metal.
Step #7: Lawn mower engine removal
Finally, we got to the lawn mower engine. Use a wrench or screwdriver to unscrew all the nuts and bolts attached to the engine compartment.
Once the mower engine is removed, store it as scrap metal. Remember to separate the metal parts from the non-metal parts of the engine compartment.
Step #8: Remove any other metal pieces
Remove all the other metallic parts of the mower. If you own a riding lawn mower, remember to remove the foam and seat covers too. The seat is metallic and can be sold as scrap metal.
Option 3: Old Lawn Mower Pickup & Disposal
If you want to dispose of your old, broken push mower or riding lawn mower but have no tools or time to haul the junk yourself, consider hiring a professional junk removal service pick up to haul it to a recycling center or local charity organization.
This is a faster and hassle-free option.
How to Get Rid of a Lawn Mower that is Still Working
Option 4: Sell It
Listing your lawn mower for sale is a fantastic way to make extra bucks. With the many classified sites or social media platforms out there, you’ll hardly need to advertise.
The process can be as simple as taking a couple of shots and adding the quirks that make your mower.
Placing your ads on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace will save you the hassle of taking old or broken lawn mowers to a recycling facility or donation center.
If you prefer something other than the online platforms, it can be a good option to sell your lawn mower at a local mechanic’s garage.
While you might not get as much money, it’s a ready market for your broken mower.
Who Can Buy Your Old or Broken Lawn Mowers?
Scrap metal buyers do buy broken or old lawn mowers. So when you’re ready to sell parts of your mower as scrap metal, go online and search for scrap metal buyers near you.
Once you have a buyer, you’ll get paid for your lawn mower’s scrap metal components, particularly the steel and aluminum pieces.
Tip: Always dismantle and separate your mower into different metal pieces to earn more on your scrap.
Remember, your lawn mower contains some ferrous metals that are either magnetic or iron-based.
Non-ferrous metals have no iron and are not magnetic. As such, the cost of each metal piece varies based on whether it is ferrous or non-ferrous.
Dismantling your lawn mower can be as easy as ABC. However, if you need help, do not hesitate to contact an expert for professional help.
Read: The best riding lawn mower for Zoysia grass
Option 5: Lawn Mower Donation
Giving away a working mower can mean passing it on to someone in need or who badly wants it.
Donate the mower to your local charity organization or bring it to your local small-engine garage. Donating stuff you don’t need is in itself a mood booster.
Search online for and contact thrift stores or local charities that accept functioning lawn mowers. Arrange to have your mower dropped off at the charitable organization.
While well-established charities like Goodwill don’t accept lawn mowers owing to environmental concerns, numerous smaller thrift shops will gladly receive and flip them cheaply.
Other charitable organizations, such as the Salvation Army, provide pick-up solutions. You can contact them when you need help moving the mover to your preferred destination.
Option 6: Gift a Friend or Neighbor
We sure like free stuff and so do most people we know. That makes giving away your lawn mower for free the easiest disposal method.
If you don’t have time, don’t need extra cash, or know someone needing a lawn mower, go with this option.
Ask around or share on your social media platform to let your circles know you’re getting rid of your working mower.
If you can’t find a family member or someone to give you the lawn mower, drop it off at a neighbor’s house, or leave it outside your home or at the curb alongside a “FREE” sign.
Practices to Avoid When You Want to Dispose of Your Lawn Mower
Getting rid of your old or broken lawn mower incorrectly could land you in real trouble and affect the environment. The good thing is that we’ve already discussed where to dispose lawn mower.
So here’s what to avoid:
Illegal dumping
What’s worse than driving around your locality only to spot trash tossed down in the abyss or strewn by the roadside?
Sometimes, the garbage is scattered all over the place. Don’t be shocked that some folks dispose of their junk away from prying eyes.
However, disposing of your lawn mower this way can attract a jail term or thousands of dollars in penalties. It’s the worst idea.
Tossing away electric lawn mowers
Whatever your mood, never throw your electric mower anyhow—instead, take them to the right electrical recycling center.
Unfortunately, most of these centers charge a small fee out of necessity. But it’s a small price to have your mower disposed of the right way to avoid fines.
Giving Away Junk/Giving false information to buyers
Be deliberate about telling the truth to the person buying your lawnmower, and don’t donate or give away your mower through pretense.
Undoubtedly, used mowers have issues and quirks, and you should be upfront about this.
Even when donating or giving away the lawnmower for free, disclose every detail you know.
Also, ensure that the mower is in decent condition because giving away a piece of junk that would force the recipient to pay to get rid of it is awful.
Tossing it while with gas or oil
Drain gas or oil from a gas-powered mower before disposing of or having it recycled.
You might pay more than you bargained for, besides causing serious environmental damage, if you dispose of your broken lawn mower with oil or gas.
3 Ingenious things to do with Old Lawn mower
If you don’t know where to take old lawn mowers, you can transform it into a garden art piece or a funky planter.
- Lawnmower Planter: Remove the blades and engine, then give it a fresh coat of paint. Voilà! Your vintage-inspired lawnmower planter is ready to showcase your favorite flowers and greens in style.
- Mobile Garden Cart: Transform your mower into a mobile garden cart by attaching a sturdy wooden platform on top. Now you can easily move your tools, pots, and plants around the garden with ease.
- Lawnmower Art Sculpture: Embrace your creative side! Weld some metal pieces to your old mower’s body, and turn it into a unique garden art sculpture that will catch everyone’s eye. Let your lawn mower mow-nificent transformation amaze the neighbors! ????????️????
FAQs
Are lawn mowers worth scrapping?
Yes, it’s worthwhile to scrap your lawn mower. However, through a scrap yard sale, you might earn an amount for the scrap—dirty aluminum, aluminum breakage, and contaminated steel. Or get paid based on the weight of your machine.
How much can you get for scrapping a lawn mower?
Most lawn mowers weigh between 50 and 90 pounds, and a riding product could fetch up to 500 dollars.
However, the true value of your lawn mower scrap depends on the materials it’s made of; a push mower made of steel costs around $3.
Aluminum stuff costs slightly higher and can fetch between 3 and 6 dollars, based on the machine’s weight. A riding lawn mower is heavier, and scrapping it can earn you between 10 and 18 dollars.
How to dispose of riding lawn mower
To dispose of a riding lawn mower responsibly, follow these steps: Drain fluids like gasoline and oil safely and recycle them.
Disconnect and recycle the battery separately. Consider dismantling the mower for parts or sell/donate it if it’s still in good condition.
Check local regulations and arrange pickup with a qualified waste disposal service. Be eco-friendly and responsible in your disposal process.
Where to get rid of old lawn mower?
You can get rid of an old lawn mower through various methods: Check if your local recycling center accepts lawn mowers for proper disposal.
Look for municipal collection events that cater to larger items like old mowers. Consider trade-in programs offered by lawn mower retailers.
Sell or give away the mower on online platforms. Additionally, donating the mower to a local charity or organization is another option. Always follow local waste disposal regulations for a responsible approach.
Who takes old lawn mowers?
Old lawn mowers can be taken to local recycling centers, scrap yards, or waste management companies for proper disposal. Some retailers and manufacturers offer take-back programs. Additionally, charities and community organizations may accept working lawn mowers as donations. Ensure to check each entity’s acceptance policies beforehand.
Does lowe’s take old lawn mowers?
Lowe’s does not take old lawn mowers directly. However, they provide a helpful lawn mower recycling program.
Customers can bring their old mowers to the nearest recycling center, where the mowers will be recycled following EPA standards. The recycling center ensures that the mowers are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner
Final thoughts – where to throw away lawn mower
Old or broken lawn mower disposal can be nerve-racking, especially if you don’t know how to get rid of a lawn mower.
No matter the condition of your lawn mower, don’t let it rust away in your yard, garage, or tool shed. Dispose it through eco-friendly methods or get junk haulers to handle everything.
Are you disposing of your old mower to get a new one? Here are the best self-propelled lawnmowers under $300 you can consider.