What are White Goods and How to Get Rid of Them

A white good is a traditional term for certain large electrical appliances that are commonly used today.

We all use many appliances that make our lives more comfortable and easy. However, are all of them internally similar, and can they be disposed of in the same ways?

Certain appliances in the olden days had a coat of white enamel on them, hence the moniker “white goods.” But in the 21st century, these common household appliances come in a variety of colours. Metallic silver is the most common, although eye-catching colours like red and blue are also available.

So, in this article, we’ll be talking about what are white goods and how to get rid of them in the most effective ways possible. Thus, now, without further ado, let’s dive in!

What Are White Goods?

White goods were traditionally painted white to distinguish them from other household appliances. Some popular white goods are washing machines, air conditioners, ovens, clothes dryers, stoves, fridges, and deep freezers.

On the other hand, brown goods are mainly electronic items that are used for entertainment, such as television sets, CD players, and radios. One can also say that brown goods are all other electronic appliances that aren’t kitchen or laundry machines.

How To Dispose Of White Goods?

Despite the fact that white goods make our lives a whole lot easier, they are a liability to the planet. However, humans are to blame for this since it is inefficient electronic disposal which leads to landfills being inundated with these appliances. Therefore, these goods should be gotten rid of appropriately so that they don’t end up harming the environment.

How do white goods harm the planet? The outer bodies are made primarily of plastic, and the inside is usually manufactured using ultra-heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium. So, when goods made of these are dumped in a landfill, they end up becoming toxic substances over time. One possible outcome is that the metals break down, and hazardous materials seep into the underground water, making it unpotable.

In addition to that, there is also the possibility that if old appliances are left out in the open in a landfill for too long, the sunlight burns them up. If that happens, many poisonous fumes and gases are released into the atmosphere, making it bad for humans and harming the ozone layer.

Moving on, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to get rid of white goods in an environmentally friendly and responsible way.

1. Having A Garage Sale

Garage sales are a great way to dispose of white goods if they’re still functioning and reusable. Such sales also lower the overall volume of metal waste since one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. What’s more, garage sales are also incredibly easy to advertise- you can use the internet and put up a post or take out an ad in the classifieds.

However, if, despite your best efforts, you’re having trouble gaining traction for the sale, there are other alternatives available too. Amazon and Apple are two major companies that offer the option of exchanging an old appliance for a new one.

2. Recycling

Recycling is an efficient way of dealing with waste, and luckily, white goods are recyclable materials since they’re made of plastics and metal. So, if you no longer use previously valuable materials, you can give them to a recycling facility instead of dumping them in a landfill.

3. Contacting The Retailer

If you’re buying a new white good, you might want to ask the retailer if they are willing to take it back once it gets old and unusable. You’ll be surprised at how many retailers offer to take back schemes! Once the old item is returned to them, they often give it off to be recycled.

However, if your retailer doesn’t have a policy of taking back old and unwanted white goods, then you can contact the local council. They would be able to point you in the right direction and tell you what to do.

4. Selling The Goods To A Local Scrap Dealer

Local scrap merchants and second-hand dealers are great for disposing of old white goods. In case you’ve got a way to transport the items, you can drop them off at the dealer’s workshop. However, do keep in mind that old fridges and deep freezers have coolants that need to be disposed of separately. So, before you undertake any white good disposal, check out if they have any parts that need to be dealt with first.

5. Contacting A Local Appliance Repair Training School

If you have a local school that undertakes vocational training such as teaching people how to repair appliances and basic electrical work, then you could give it off to them. However, before you drop it off, do remember to call and check first!

6. Donating Old White Goods To Charity Organisations

A lot of children’s homes and homeless shelters are often desperately in need of appliances like water heaters, microwave ovens, washing machines and clothes dryers. Thus, if you’ve been looking at getting rid of that old washing machine, you could call up any charitable organisation and ask them if they’d like to take it.

By doing this, you’re not only going to help someone in need, but you might just be eligible for a tax deduction too.

Final Thoughts

Most household items that are classified as white goods are durable and will last a good number of years before they lose functionality and become e-waste. However, it is imperative to dispose them of effectively so that they don’t damage the environment in the long run.

If the methods given above are a bit overwhelming, you could even get in touch with a junk removal company.

Apart from this, minimize your electronic goods consumption, and try and extend the life of the ones you already have. This will not only save you money, but it will also lead to fewer carbon emissions!