Short answer. A collector is the quickest, a retailer the easiest if you are buying new and the council the most predictable. Check the dryer type first, because heat pump models are different.
Not everyone wants to drive a dryer to a yard. This guide compares the other routes. It lists no prices, because we found no reliable source. For the yard route, see will scrap metal yards take a tumble dryer. ScrapTrade operates a scrap marketplace, so it has a commercial interest in this trade.
The routes
- A scrap collector: often free, quick and sometimes pays a little. Ask who they are and, in NSW, look them up on the NSW Police register of scrap dealers.
- The retailer: many offer removal when they deliver a new appliance.
- Your council: a hard waste collection or a resource recovery centre, which may charge.
- A recycler: a service that comes to you, usually for a fee.
Heat pump models
If it is a heat pump dryer, it holds refrigerant. Tell the collector, and ask who will remove it. Our guide to taking a dryer to a yard explains how to tell.
Prepare it
- Disconnect and drain it.
- Clear the lint filter.
- Move it to where it can be collected.
- Get a receipt or name from the collector.
Still working
A working dryer is worth selling to a household buyer. See selling a used or broken appliance.
Effort compared
- Collector: least effort, but check who they are.
- Retailer: easiest when buying new, but only if offered.
- Council: predictable but may need booking and a fee.
- Recycler: convenient but usually charges.
Moving it safely
- Disconnect it and drain the tank on a condenser model.
- Use two people, since dryers are heavy and awkward.
- Keep it upright when you can, and secure the door.
- Clear the path and mind your back.
What we could not verify
- Whether collectors near you are registered.
- Council fees.
- What any collector pays.
Frequently asked questions
Will a scrap man take my dryer?
Often yes, free or for a small sum. Check who they are.
Will the retailer take it?
Many offer removal with a new delivery. Ask when you buy.
Do heat pump dryers need special handling?
Yes, they contain refrigerant.
Sources
- NSW Police and our state rules guide.
- Choice and Australian Refrigeration Council material on heat pump dryers, as summarised in search results.
General information only.