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It’s a common scenario that most people least expect to consider washer and dryer removal until they’ve received their new units. Once the new appliances come in, it’s often too late to leave the old ones next to the curb with the regular trash.
It sounds simple. Two people, an appliance dolly, and a couple of minutes to do the job. Local ordinances, lack of access in Granite City,IL and the sheer weight of these hulking machines can make the job much harder than most homeowners realize, however.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency encourages proper recycling of large household appliances, and many municipalities require washers and dryers to be handled through approved collection. Homeowners can review the Illinois EPA’s guidance on appliance disposal before scheduling a pickup. Illinois EPA Household Waste Disposal Guide.
The Challenges Behind Removing Old Appliances
A standard top load washer weighs 150 to 200 pounds. The front loaders can be more, especially if they have concrete counterweights bolted to the drums. Dryers are lighter, at 80 to 120 pounds, but are more unwieldy objects to maneuver around doorways.
Throw in a set of stairs, a narrow hallway in an older Granite City home, or a third floor apartment in nearby Collinsville, and moving a washer quickly becomes a much bigger challenge.
Installation crews learn the hard way what the dangers are, as a laundry room floor turned to soup because of a leaking water line, a doorframe that narrows by an inch from the opening, or a flight of stairs with a landing too tight to turn the washer around.
None of that shows up until moving day. That’s the mistake behind most old washer pickup disasters: assuming the appliance will move the way it did on delivery day, in factory packaging, carried by a two person crew with a proper hand truck.
Illinois Rules You Can’t Skip
Illinois has disposal requirements for large appliances, and many communities encourage or require washers, dryers, and other white goods to be recycled through approved collection or recycling programs instead of being placed with regular household waste. You can’t throw out your washer or dryer at the curb and have it hauled away by the town.
That’s illegal in Illinois. Communities throughout Madison County and the Metro East have local rules that govern how large appliances are collected and recycled, and Improper disposal can result in rejected pickups, additional disposal fees, or penalties depending on local regulations for haulers who are caught with them.
So washer disposal and dryer disposal route through recycling instead of the trash stream. Ferrous metal recyclers want these machines specifically, since steel recovery from major appliances is efficient enough to make it worth their while.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also publishes national data on appliance recycling and material recovery, showing how major appliances are processed after collection. EPA Durable Goods Data
Scrap yards around Granite City, Madison County, or the St. Louis Metro East will often take a bare washer or dryer for free, sometimes pay a little for the metal weight, once anything hazardous is cleared out (rarely an issue with laundry machines, unlike refrigerators and their refrigerant lines).
Many recycling centers and municipal collection programs serving Granite City residents accept washers and dryers, although homeowners are usually responsible for transporting the appliances and paying any applicable recycling fees.
Manageable if you’ve got a truck, two strong friends, and a free Saturday. Harder to pull off from a third floor walkup, or with a unit still half full of water from a failed pump.
What Actually Happens During a Pickup
A properly run pickup starts before anyone touches the appliance. The technician shuts off the water supply lines on a washer, which sounds routine until you consider how many of these valves haven’t been touched in a decade and seize up, or crack the moment they’re turned.
Gas dryers require that their gas line be capped, not just disconnected, which is a crucial step to avoid gas leaks. A gas fitting that has been accidentally disconnected from the back of the dryer and shoved back behind the unit can become an invisible leak waiting to happen.
Meanwhile, electric dryers can usually be disconnected by simply removing the 240 volt plug and the vent duct, but many people overlook the fact that the vent duct is a significant source of lint accumulation.
Dryer ducts tend to hold a surprising amount of lint, so attempting to clear the duct by running it through the house during the removal process is likely to release a tremendous amount of lint into the air. A shop vac may prove a useful investment after all.
Once disconnected, the machine is loaded onto an appliance dolly. If stairs are involved, it is wheeled down a stair climbing hand truck and loaded. If no stairs are encountered, the unit is wheeled out on a hand truck and loaded.
Experienced appliance removal crews often take the time to measure the space of doors, stairway landings, and the tight turns or corners where they’ll have to move a washer before they even begin removal; doing this can prevent damage to walls and flooring and save the time of having to hire a bigger team.
Washer vs. Dryer: The Differences That Matter
You will often find that people tend to look at washing machine removal and dryers as one task.
| Factor | Washer | Dryer |
|---|---|---|
| Typical weight | 150 to 250 lbs | 80 to 120 lbs |
| Utility connection | Hot/cold water lines, drain hose | Electric (240V) or gas line |
| Main hazard | Water spillage, corroded shutoff valves | Gas leaks (gas models), lint buildup |
| Recycling value | Higher (more steel, motor, drum) | Lower but still recyclable |
Gas dryers have the requirement that the person installing them be able to shut off and cap the gas line. If your house’s original shutoff valve was installed before the ’80s, it may be tight or partially corroded, a detail a general handyman may overlook, while an appliance specific hauling company will double check.
Local Considerations Around Granite City and the Metro East
Many homes in the Granite City area and the Metro East communities were built 20 or more years ago. As a result, many have smaller laundry rooms, older-style shutoff valves, and/or narrower stairways than are being built today.
Gas dryers demand that the person installing them be able to shut off and cover the gas line. If the shutoff valve where the gas line enters the house was installed before the 1980s, it will probably be stiff and perhaps partially corroded.
This is something a general handyman might not notice when snaking the line, but an appliance specific hauling company will.
Street parking matters too. Getting a truck close to a front door along a busy stretch near Route 3 or Interstate 270, or in denser parts of downtown Granite City, sometimes means a longer carry than in a suburban driveway. That affects both time and, for paid services, sometimes the price.
Anyone scheduling washer and dryer removal in this area should mention parking access and stair count at booking, because it changes what equipment the crew brings.
Winter creates another challenge around Granite City. Ice, snow, and slippery footpaths can make moving heavy appliances much more difficult and increase the chance of injury. Scheduling for a clear, salted day isn’t overcaution.
DIY, Junk Removal, or a Retailer Haul Away?
Three realistic paths exist here. Buying a new machine and paying the retailer’s haul-away fee, usually $25 to $75, is the cheapest option if a delivery is already happening. The catch: most retailers only remove the exact unit type they’re delivering, so a washer swap won’t include hauling off an unrelated old dryer sitting in the same room.
Doing it yourself and hauling to the municipal transfer station saves money but costs time, a vehicle that can handle the weight, and physical effort that shouldn’t be underestimated by anyone working alone. Local dump fees for a single appliance typically run $10 to $20 in most nearby towns.
Hiring a dedicated junk or appliance removal service costs more, often $75 to $150 for a single unit depending on access difficulty. It includes disconnection, the carry, and proper routing to a recycler instead of a landfill. For anyone dealing with stairs, a gas dryer, or just not wanting to burn a Saturday on it, this is usually the path with the fewest headaches.
A Practical Option for Homeowners
Taking away the old washer or dryer is not always as straightforward as taking it to the trash heap. Throwing out can be problematic due to heavy appliances, limited stairs, and local ordinance. J&S Hauling and Junk Removal is proud to provide professional appliance service to Granite City and the Metro East.
Whether you need a single appliance picked up or both units removed at the same time, you can schedule a convenient pickup by calling (618) 310-6823 or emailing jshauling@proton.me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can granite city pick up old washers and dryers?
White goods are NOT collected with the regular garbage or recycling services at Granite City. It is recommended that residents take white goods to a household hazardous waste collection event or pay a private appliance removal service for collection.
Does Granite City have any scrap metal recyclers who will accept old appliances?
Yes. There are a few washers & dryers recyclers in the Metro East area. This varies from area to area; it is advisable to call ahead to see if there are any preparation requirements or fees before travelling.
Can a trash removal service pick up trash on a third story apartment in Edwardsville or Collinsville?
Yes. Most professional appliance removal companies can easily move your washer and dryer from an apartment in the upstairs area, provided they are told of any stairs, elevators, etc. in advance. Please pass on this information to the crew when you make your booking, so they can pack the correct equipment.
May I place a washer/dryer at the curb in Granite City?
Large appliances are typically not picked up with the regular trash. When you place a washer/dryer at the curb without having it picked up by an approved organization, it will likely just be left there until you have it picked up in an approved manner. Please verify local waste collection requirements with your local waste provider.
Is it ok to place an old washer/dryer in a standard dumpster hire?
Not found in many communities in Illinois. Large appliances may not be allowed to be disposed of regularly at the landfill and may need to be recycled at an approved facility. Please ask local waste disposal company before putting any appliance in a dumpster.
Do I need a professional to disconnect a gas dryer?
If you don’t have first hand experience of turning off and capping gas valves, yes. A malfunctioning or improperly capped gas connection can pose a serious safety risk, particularly in an older home where fittings may be outdated.
What’s the difference between appliance recycling and appliance disposal?
Disposal needs differ from community to community, but many Illinois communities have regulations that allow for the recycling of large appliances rather than direct disposal to the landfill.
If I am not purchasing a new washer/dryer, what is the average price for removal?
If no appliance purchase is involved, you can budget 75-150 for a service call to pick up one or both units, depending on the stairs, distance from the truck, and disconnection service call. The price of DIY transfer station drop off is about $10 to $20 per item plus your own time and transportation.
Sources
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Household Waste Disposal – Explains how appliances should be managed in Illinois, including landfill restrictions and recycling recommendations.
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Disposal Methods. – Guides proper disposal methods for white goods and other household waste materials.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Durable Goods: Product Specific Data.
– Includes national statistics on appliance recycling, ferrous metal recovery, and landfill diversion for major household appliances. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Facts and Figures About Materials, Waste and Recycling. – Background information on municipal solid waste generation, recycling, and recovery trends across the United States.
