Electrical appliances fall under the WEEE Regulations 2013 (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). This means fridges, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, cookers, and ovens cannot legally go into general waste. Instead, they must reach an approved authorised treatment facility (AATF) where they are safely dismantled, de-gassed (if applicable), and sorted into material streams for recycling.
When a licensed appliance removal company collects from you, they issue a waste transfer note — your proof that the appliance left your hands responsibly. This document tracks the item through the Producer Compliance Scheme and Material Recovery Facility (MRF) chain. Your old fridge doesn't sit in a skip; it goes to a facility where the compressor is depressurised, the cooling gas is recovered, and metals, plastics, and glass are separated for reuse. You receive a copy of that transfer note for your records — essential if you ever need to prove correct disposal to an environmental auditor or mortgage lender.
