It’s finally happened: your trusty old lawn mower has broken down or is being replaced by a brand-new model. So, how are you going to dispose of your old lawn mower?
Depending on its type and size, it can be pretty challenging to get rid of your old lawn mower — the bulkier it is, the more difficult it will be to dispose of it.
Having helped many of our customers clear out their green waste and broken or unwanted grass-cutting machines appropriately, we’re here to offer our professional take on the right approach for old lawn mower disposal, as well as provide a few alternatives to simply throwing it away.
Table of contents
- What to do with an old lawn mower
- Why you should dispose of old lawn mowers properly
- General tips for old lawn mower disposal
- Disposing of different types of old lawn mowers
What to Do With an Old Lawn Mower
As we mentioned earlier, there are some alternatives you can consider to tossing out your old lawn mower into the bin.
Resell it
If your lawn mower is still working (and in fairly good condition thanks to regular maintenance), you could extend its lifespan by selling it to someone else. Doing so can net you some money as a bonus, and you’ll be doing the environment a favour by ensuring that the resources that went into making the lawn mower get used to their fullest extent. Not in it for the money? Consider donating your old lawn mower instead of selling it!
Should your lawn mower be inoperable due to a faulty part or component, you might still be able to get some value out of its parts. Much like a vehicle, most lawn mower parts can be replaced to keep them working, and you could dismantle your lawn mower to sell its working parts.
Recycle it
For lawn mowers that are beyond any salvaging, recycling is the way to go. Most recycling centres near you will have the capability to process lawn mowers, but this will typically require you to transport your old lawn mower by yourself to them.
Be sure to contact the recycling centre before dropping it off to better understand the appropriate steps you need to take, such as draining the lawn mower of the leftover fuel or removing its batteries.
Scrap it
Lawn mowers mainly consist of metal, which can be processed at a scrap yard. By selling your old lawn mower for scrap, you can earn a little money while ensuring that it doesn't collect rust in your shed or, worse, end up illegally dumped on the side of the road.
Why You Should Dispose of Old Lawn Mowers Properly
Lawn mowers are heavy-duty pieces of equipment that can take up a lot of storage space and may even pose health or environmental hazards if not disposed of properly.
The metal parts of a mower will rust over time. Rusty parts are more prone to break apart and are dangerous to handle, which is why you should dispose of them as soon as possible instead of leaving your mower around on your property.
Aside from that, some mowers have batteries and electrical components that may leak as they degrade, releasing harmful chemicals that can poison the environment and pose a threat to human health.
You may also be tempted to leave your old lawn mower on the curb or illegally dump it somewhere else — we strongly advise against this. Not only will you incur heavy fines of up to $250,000, but you will also be putting the environment and others at risk.
General Tips for Old Lawn Mower Disposal
So, what is the proper way to dispose of an old lawn mower?
It depends on the type of lawn mower. Modern models come in many makes and can either be powered by gas, electricity, or physical movement, and each of them will require different methods of disposal.
Having said that, here are some tips that apply to all types of disposal processes:
- Wear protective gear – Mowers have sharp blades for cutting grass, not your fingers, so be sure to don some gloves and cover shoes when handling them.
- Ensure that the lawn mower is turned off – Accidentally hit a button while handling it, and your lawn mowers could seriously injure you. Reduce the risk of accidents by disconnecting it from any power sources, if possible, before carrying or dismantling it.
- Clear out remaining debris and waste – Leftover debris and grass can clog up the lawn mower’s parts, hinder your ability to take it apart, or even cause problems at recycling centres. Be sure to clean it out thoroughly once you’re sure that you’re going to dispose of it.
- Seek professional assistance – An extra hand is always a good idea, especially one that is experienced in handling the disposal of lawn mowers. An expert removalist team (like Ridly!) will be able to handle the dismantling, loading, and transport of your old lawn mowers without you ever needing to lift a finger.
Disposing of Different Types of Old Lawn Mowers
Depending on their type, some lawnmowers will need some preparation before you can dispose of them at recycling centres or scrapyards.
Ride-on Lawn Mowers
Large ride-on or drive-type mowers are simply too massive to carry by hand and will need to be taken apart into smaller parts for transport. Unless you’re a skilled mechanic or know how to safely dismantle them, you’re better off enlisting the help of someone who is before disposing of them.
Electric/Battery Powered Lawn Mowers
Electric (cabled) and battery powered lawn mowers should be dismantled to separate the electrical and mechanical components. Batteries fall under the umbrella of e-waste and must be disposed of appropriately to ensure that any toxic substances found in the battery cannot cause harm to the environment.
Petrol Powered Lawn Mowers
The key part of disposing of petrol-powered lawn mowers is to extract the excess fuel from the machine. Leftover fuel, no matter how little in volume, is extremely flammable and poses a fire risk if not removed prior to disposal.
Final Thoughts
Proper disposal of your old lawn mower is no walk in the park; you’ll need to be extra careful to ensure that it’s prepared accordingly, and even then, the loading and transportation of it will be both difficult and time-consuming. It’s one of the reasons why so many Aussies opt for a professional rubbish removal service to take care of the entire process, from collection to disposal.
If you have an old lawn mower that needs disposal, consider letting us help you with it. Our Ridly rubbish removal services are available any time of the week, even on the same day that you contact us — we can collect it from your property and dispose of it in a safe and responsible manner for your convenience and peace of mind.