Recycling Old Lawn Mowers
Tired of your old lawn mower hogging up all the space in your garage?
Well, it’s about time to get rid of it, but how? Throwing it out with your regular rubbish isn’t an option, as it contains materials that can harm the environment. But did you know that recycling old lawn mowers is not only a responsible choice but also easier than you might think? In this blog, we’ll explore everything you should know about recycling old lawn mowers and why it’s so important to dispose of them properly.
Benefits Of Recycling An Old Lawnmower
Many lawn mower components, such as the metal frame, engine parts, and even the wheels, can be recycled, reducing the need for new raw materials and supporting more sustainable manufacturing practices.
It is urgent to reduce the waste we generate every day, which may seem like a huge task. But with small steps, we can get closer to the goal, and the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle) play a key role in that.
Recycling your old lawn mower, for that matter, can be more impactful than you think. Here are a few benefits of recycling old tools:
- The metal parts won’t add up to the waste in a scrapping yard
- Several functional parts can be used in other landscaping equipment
- Plastic parts will be upcycled into other practical things
- Waste electrical components may be useful in a repair shop
How to Prepare Your Lawn Mower for Recycling
Before you recycle your old lawn mower, there are a few important steps to take to ensure that it’s ready for disposal. Here’s what you need to do:
- Drain Fluids
Lawn mowers often contain fuel, oil, and other fluids that need to be safely removed before recycling. Draining these fluids prevents them from leaking during transport or disposal and helps protect the environment. You can collect the fluids in appropriate containers and take them to a local recycling centre or hazardous waste facility. - Remove the Battery (if applicable)
Some lawn mowers, particularly electric or battery-powered models, have removable batteries. These batteries should not be thrown out with regular recycling or rubbish as they contain harmful chemicals. Instead, take them to a battery recycling centre or a designated collection point. - Clean the Mower
Giving your lawn mower a quick clean before recycling can help make the process easier. Remove any dirt, grass clippings, or debris that may be stuck to the machine. This step also makes it safer for workers who handle the recycling process.
Ways To Recycle Old Lawnmowers
Lawn mower recycling is not as difficult as it might seem, yet if you can’t get a hold of it, you can get rid of an old mower in the following ways:
1. Yard Sale
A garage sale is a good way to get rid of old electrical items, yard equipment, scrap metal and any type of old equipment. You can sell all this stuff to other people who need it instead of disposing of it. So, even if you can’t get metal recycled, you won’t generate any waste.
2. Recycling Centre
Most areas have recycling centres where people can drop off their old lawn mowers, landscaping equipment, gas, metal, and other electrical items.
People believe that metals and plastic are the primary recyclable materials, but these facilities can also recycle non-ferrous materials. If you doubt the recyclability of any appliance, call the local tip and confirm.
3. Professional Rubbish Removal Services
Hiring a professional rubbish removal service can be a great option if you’re unsure where to take your old mower or don’t have the time to dispose of it yourself. Tip It Rubbish Removal can collect your old lawn mower and ensure it’s disposed of responsibly. Our professionals can handle all types of rubbish, including old machinery, and offer same-day service for added convenience.
4. Retailer Take-Back Programs
Some retailers may offer take-back or trade-in programs when you purchase a new lawn mower. These programs often allow you to recycle your old mower when you buy a replacement, making it easy to upgrade while ensuring that your old machine is disposed of responsibly.
The Importance Of Recycling Centres
A lawn mower is heavy electronic equipment containing several complex parts foreign to a layperson. If you don’t have any experience with mechanical tools or gardening equipment, you won’t be able to judge which part can be recycled or disposed of. That’s when recycling plants enter the picture.
Those who can’t differentiate non-metal parts from metal and plastic parts can leave the job to trained professionals. Recycling centres employ expert individuals with years of experience in the field and can differentiate scrap metals from other junk.
After removing the engine oil from its fuel tank, they will open your old lawn mower and look for recyclable materials. Since these people are junk removal pros, they’ll take the recyclable parts and suggest proper disposal options for the non-recyclable waste. Then, you can either hire a junk removal service or dispose of it yourself.
Removal Services To The Rescue
Recycling plants often lack logistics services, and carrying broken lawn mowers in your car or truck isn’t safe. So, what’s the best way out? It’s hiring a removal service—a commercial enterprise that transports stuff from one location to another.
If not carried out properly, one cannot overlook how dangerous this task could be to the worker and the environment. Not all operational workers are skilled enough to do the job without any hiccups; therefore, hiring a company with long-standing experience in the industry is essential.
Apart from efficiently transporting old lawn mowers to a recycling centre, junk removal services can move anything you want, no matter how big or heavy.
1. Safe
Firstly, old lawn mowers are rust-covered and have loosely assembled parts falling everywhere. The slightest cut can cause a tetanus infection and make you sick. On top of that, they are heavy, and carrying them can give you a backache.
Even if you put broken lawn mowers in the car, driving to local recycling facilities isn’t safe with such equipment. However, a junk removal service has the manpower to easily load the mower into their truck and transport it safely without posing any risk to other vehicles on the road.
2. Time-Efficient
Lawn mower disposal can be time-consuming if done on your own, as clearing junk takes more effort than you think. However, professionals know exactly how to do the job, and the job will be done quickly.
3. Environment-Friendly
Rubbish removal services are environmentally friendly because they ensure that lawn mower disposal is done correctly. All recyclable materials are sent to the local recycling facilities, while scrap metal is sent to a scrap yard or sold to scrap metal buyers.
They dispose of all the fluids, including oil residues and gasoline, from old lawn mowers safely and responsibly, so it’s no problem if you forget to clean yours. Their eco-friendly services have actually had a positive environmental impact.
4. Budget-Friendly
Lastly, rubbish removal services are cost-effective and can easily fit your budget. Several good companies offer 24 x 7 support and same-day removal at lower prices.
Some Tips To Be Eco-Friendly While Getting Rid Of Old Lawn Mowers
1. Don’t Resort To Landfill Dumping
Dumping lawn mowers into landfills implies they won’t degrade for hundreds of years. Processes like steel degradation and aluminium breakage take a lot of time; that’s why it’s best to call a local tip and get the mower recycled.
2. Responsibly Dispose Of Gasoline
Note that it is important to get rid of or recycle the old gas or oil in your lawn mower. Do not send the mower to a recycling plant without removing the gas from the fuel tank and engine.
3. Switch To Electric Mowers
Finally, old lawn mowers that function on gasoline aren’t that practical and eco-friendly. Hence, it would be best if you considered switching to electric mowers.
Disposing of Electric Lawn Mowers
There are some extra considerations if you’re disposing of an electric lawn mower. Electric mowers typically have batteries or power cords that must be recycled separately. Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, should not be thrown in the rubbish bin as they pose a fire risk. Many recycling centres or battery collection programs will accept electric mower batteries, ensuring they are handled safely.
In addition, electric lawn mowers often contain electronic components that fall under e-waste recycling. Be sure to check with your local e-waste facility to see if they accept lawn mowers and whether there are specific steps you need to take before recycling.
Final Words
Knowing what to do with an old lawn mower when it’s no longer useful is key to protecting the environment and keeping your property clutter-free. Recycling old lawn mowers through council programs, scrap metal yards, or professional rubbish removal services ensures that your machine is disposed of responsibly. Whether you recycle, repurpose, or hire a professional, taking the time to dispose of your old lawn mower properly is a step toward a more sustainable future.