How to Dispose of a Lawn Mower? Recycling, Fluid Draining & Scrap Value Guide
After years of trimming turf through punishing summer heat, every lawn mower eventually reaches the end of its mechanical lifespan. When an aging push mower or riding lawn tractor suffers a cracked engine block, seized piston, or bent crankshaft, repair costs frequently exceed the price of purchasing a modern replacement. However, getting rid of an old mower is not as simple as wheeling it out to the street curb with your weekly household trash. Gasoline engines contain hazardous combustible fuel, toxic motor oils, lead-acid batteries, and heavy steel that municipal trash collectors are legally prohibited from dumping into local landfills. Following responsible disposal, fluid draining, and metal recycling protocols ensures you dispose of your equipment safely and legally.
Mandatory Environmental Step: Draining All Hazardous Fluids
Regardless of whether you plan to haul your lawn mower to a local scrap metal yard, schedule municipal bulk trash pickup, or donate it to a community technical school, you must first drain every drop of liquid hydrocarbon fluids from the machine. Landfills and scrap yards will categorically reject any equipment containing residual gasoline or motor oil due to severe fire hazards and groundwater contamination laws.
Start by draining the fuel tank completely. Use an inexpensive manual siphon pump to transfer leftover gasoline into an approved red plastic fuel container, or run the mower engine until the carburetor bowl runs dry and the engine sputters out. Leftover gasoline can be used in other power equipment or dropped off at a county Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection facility.
The following disposal comparison guide outlines the primary methods for retiring an old lawn mower, including costs, payouts, and labor requirements.
| Disposal / Recycling Method | Financial Cost / Cash Payout | Environmental Friendliness | Labor & Preparation Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrap Metal Recycler | Earn $5 to $15 (Push) / $35 to $80 (Rider) | High (100% of steel/aluminum recycled) | Must drain gas/oil, transport to scrap yard |
| Municipal Bulk Curbside Pickup | Free to $25 (City dependent) | Moderate (Often ends up in landfill scrap) | Must drain fluids, tape certification note |
| Private Junk Removal Service | Cost $75 to $150 fee | Varies (Junk haulers scrap usable metals) | Zero labor (Crew carries mower away) |
| Free Marketplace Listing (DIY) | Earn $0 to $30 (As-is sale) | Highest (Repaired, reused, parts harvested) | Minimal (Take photo, set on driveway) |
| Retailer Trade-In Promotion | Earn $25 to $100 off new mower | High (Retailers partner with recyclers) | Offered during spring green promotions |
Next, drain the crankcase motor oil. Warm the engine briefly to thin the oil, disconnect the spark plug wire for safety, position an oil drain pan beneath the mower, and remove the bottom drain plug or tilt the mower on its side (ensuring the air filter and carburetor face upward). Transfer used motor oil into a sealed plastic jug and recycle it for free at any local auto parts store (such as AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts).
Selling to a Scrap Metal Recycler for Cash
A decommissioned lawn mower is essentially a treasure trove of recyclable raw metals. The cutting deck, handlebars, engine block, and rotary blade are fabricated from heavy stamped steel, cast iron, and high-grade cast aluminum.
Local scrap metal processors and automotive salvage yards buy old lawn mowers based on certified weight scales. A standard residential push mower weighs between 60 and 90 pounds, yielding roughly 5 to 12 dollars at current shredded steel scrap rates (typically 120 to 200 dollars per ton).
The following hazardous material preparation checklist highlights mandatory safety steps required before transferring any lawn mower to recyclers or waste handlers.
| Fluid / Component System | Mandatory Prep Action | Proper Disposal Location | Hazard Prevented |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Fuel Tank | Siphon dry, run carburetor until stalled | County Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW) | Prevents explosive vapor ignition and fires |
| Engine Crankcase Oil | Drain warm oil completely into sealable jug | Auto parts store (Free oil drop-off) | Prevents groundwater and soil contamination |
| Lead-Acid Starter Battery | Disconnect terminals, unbolt 12V battery | Auto parts store / Battery retailer | Prevents toxic lead and sulfuric acid leaks |
| Lithium-Ion Battery (Electric) | Remove battery pack from electric mower | Call2Recycle box at Home Depot / Lowe’s | Prevents catastrophic lithium thermal fires |
| Rotary Steel Cutting Blade | Ensure blade is securely bolted or removed | Recycled with scrap steel chassis | Eliminates sharp edge lacerations to workers |
Riding lawn mowers and commercial zero-turn mowers weigh between 400 and 800 pounds, yielding 35 to 80 dollars in scrap metal cash. If you possess the mechanical tools to unbolt the cast aluminum engine block from the stamped steel chassis, separating clean aluminum from ferrous steel earns significantly higher per-pound payout rates at the scrap scale.
Municipal Bulk Trash Collection Rules
Most city and township sanitation departments offer curbside bulk trash collection services once a month or by special appointment. However, municipal crews operate under strict environmental safety guidelines.
To qualify for curbside bulk collection, you must remove the gas cap, leave the fuel tank lid open to prove it is completely dry of combustible fumes, remove the oil drain plug, and tape a signed note to the handlebars certifying that all gasoline and oil have been drained. For riding mowers, the 12-volt lead-acid battery must be unbolted and disposed of separately.
Donation, Trade-Ins, and Battery-Powered Mower Recycling
If your mower still runs or merely needs a minor carburetor cleanout or new pull-cord, consider listing it for free or for 20 dollars on community platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Small engine hobbyists, trade school students, and DIY tinkerers eagerly snap up non-running mowers to rebuild or harvest spare parts.
For modern battery-powered electric mowers (such as EGO, Greenworks, or Milwaukee), the plastic chassis and electric motor can be recycled at electronic waste (e-waste) centers. Never place large 40V, 56V, or 80V lithium-ion battery packs in household trash; lithium batteries must be dropped off at certified battery recycling kiosks located inside Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Call2Recycle drop-off centers.
How to Drain and Prepare an Old Lawn Mower for Disposal in 4 Steps
Follow this environmental safety routine to drain fluids and prepare an old lawn mower for scrap recycling or pickup.
Disconnect the Spark Plug Boot for Safety
Pull the heavy rubber boot off the engine spark plug to eliminate any accidental kickback or engine firing while handling the blade and chassis.
Drain Fuel Tank Completely into an Approved Gas Can
Use a manual siphon hand pump to extract remaining gasoline from the fuel tank, or tip the mower over a funnel to drain the tank into a gas can.
Drain Engine Oil into an Oil Drain Pan
Position an oil drain pan beneath the engine, remove the oil fill cap or drain plug, and drain all black used motor oil into a sealed container for recycling.
Transport to Local Scrap Yard or Arrange Pickup
Load the drained metal mower into a pickup truck for drop-off at a certified scrap metal recycler to collect cash, or schedule municipal bulk pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions (9 Questions Answered)
Q1: Can you put an old lawn mower out with regular weekly trash?
No, municipal sanitation services will not take lawn mowers with regular trash because small engines contain hazardous oils and fuels prohibited from landfills.
Q2: How much money can you get for an old lawn mower at a scrap yard?
A standard steel push mower yields 5 to 12 dollars in scrap metal cash, while a heavy riding lawn tractor yields between 35 and 80 dollars.
Q3: Do scrap yards require lawn mowers to be drained of gas and oil?
Yes, scrap metal yards strictly mandate that all fuel and crankcase motor oil be completely drained to prevent catastrophic fires in industrial shredders.
Q4: Where can you dispose of old lawn mower gas and motor oil?
Used motor oil can be dropped off for free at auto parts stores (like AutoZone), while old stale gasoline must be taken to a county household hazardous waste depot.
Q5: How do you dispose of a battery-powered electric lawn mower?
Remove the lithium-ion battery and recycle it at Home Depot or Lowe’s Call2Recycle kiosks. The plastic and steel mower body can go to an e-waste or metal recycler.
Q6: Will Home Depot or Lowe’s take old lawn mowers?
Major home improvement retailers do not accept old gas mowers for disposal, except during specific seasonal trade-in promotions when purchasing a new mower.
Q7: Can you donate a non-working lawn mower to Goodwill?
Goodwill and Salvation Army generally accept only working equipment; non-running lawn mowers are typically rejected due to hazardous fluid liability.
Q8: How do you dispose of a riding lawn mower battery?
Riding mower 12-volt lead-acid batteries can be returned to any automotive battery retailer or auto parts store to collect your 10-to-15-dollar core deposit refund.
Q9: Can someone pick up my old lawn mower for free?
Yes, listing an old mower for free on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist usually results in a local scrapper or hobbyist collecting it from your driveway within hours.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
In conclusion, understanding how to dispose of a lawn mower? recycling, fluid draining & scrap value guide provides essential clarity, practical strategies, and actionable advice. By incorporating these foundational insights, adhering to verified safety guidelines, and following structured best practices, you ensure reliable, long-term outcomes while preventing common mistakes. Stay informed, consult certified professionals when needed, and maintain consistent quality care.