In Brief: How to Dispose of Gas Lawn Mower
Dispose of your gas mower by selling, donating, trashing, or recycling it. Before you get rid of it, you need to drain the old gas and oil and remove or disconnect the spark plug. Sell the mower through the classifieds, donate it to a charity, arrange bulk item trash pick-up, or drop it off at a landfill or recycling center.
If it’s time to give up on your gas lawn mower, you’re probably faced with the unique problem of how to actually get rid of it. Can you just put it out with the trash, or do you need to do something else?
There are a few different options for anyone looking to throw out their old mower. Learn how to dispose of gas lawn mowers here.
3 Ways to Dispose of Gas Lawn Mower
In general, there are only four things you can do with a mower you don’t want anymore. You can sell it, donate it, trash it, or recycle it.
Depending on the state of your mower, the effort you want to put into disposing of it, and the conditions in your area, you can narrow down your choices.
Method 1: Selling
If you’d like to get something back for your old mower, selling is your best option. You can sell it altogether or part it out. How you sell it depends on the condition of the mower and how involved you want to be in the process.
- Step 1: Evaluating the Mower
Before you sell your old gas mower, you need to have a good feel for the condition of the mower. Take a few minutes to inspect the mower. You’re looking for few specific things:
• Does it work as it should?
• Are there any specific issues when it runs?
• Does it start?
• Is it missing any parts?
• How does it look?
Check for the make and model of the mower.
If your mower still works, even if there are issues that affect performance, you may be able to sell it for a better price. Always be honest about the working condition of the mower and list any issues you know about so the buyer can be prepared.
Mowers that don’t work can still be sold. You can either sell it as a complete mower or sell each part individually. You’re likely to make more money if you sell individual parts, but it takes more time and effort to do this. - Step 2: Finding a Buyer
No matter how you’re selling your mower, you have similar options for finding a prospective buyer. Local classifieds, especially online classifieds, are one of the most reliable options. There are numerous apps or online services that help sellers connect with buyers in their area.
You can list spare parts, working mowers, or dead mowers on classifieds. You’re likely to find a local buyer for an old mower in any condition, as long as the price is right. Buyers might try to negotiate the price down. Make sure you
know what price you’re comfortable with as a minimum.
When posting an ad for the mower or any of its parts, take useful pictures. Ads with pictures tend to work better than those without pictures.
If you’re selling a dead mower for scrap, you can also take it to a junkyard. Most junkyards will pay for old mowers based on the weight and type of metal. This is the easiest option for selling, but you shouldn’t expect to receive much money for your mower. - Step 3: Moving the Mower
Before your mower leaves your property or you disassemble it, there are a few things you need to do to make it safe for transport.
Drain the gas into an approved container. If it’s still good, you can reuse it. If the fuel is old, you should dispose of it at a household hazardous waste collection location.
Drain the oil out of the mower into a collection pan. Recycle the oil at a local auto shop or waste collection facility.
Disconnect the spark plug to prevent any accidental starting, even if the fuel and oil are already drained.
The mower is now safe to transport or disassemble and sell.
Method 2: Donation
If your mower still works, even if it’s not at peak performance, you can donate it to someone who needs a mower.
Step 1: Evaluating the Mower
If you’re going to give away your mower, you want to make sure it works first. Donation centers may not want to accept a mower that does not run. Try to turn it on and mower a small section of grass.
Even if it doesn’t perform well or has obvious problems, it can still be donated if it works. Mowers that don’t work can be given away, but you have fewer options to find a recipient.
If you’re going to donate the mower through an online channel, check the make and model. See what accessories you have that belong to the mower.
Step 2: Choosing a Donation Area
Contact local charity organizations or second-hand shops to see if they accept used lawn mowers. If they do, you can take the mower to them or request them to pick it up from your property.
There are many places online that can help you donate a lawn mower. Place an ad in an online classified service, freecycling website, or on a local area Facebook group for buying/selling/donating.
Alternatively, you can ask your neighbors and friends if they know anyone who might want your mower.
When you’re donating a mower, you are more likely to find someone willing to transport it themselves. If taking the mower somewhere is a challenge for you, request the recipient to collect the mower from your property.
Step 3: Preparing the Mower
For a gas mower to be safely transported, you have to remove all the fluids. Drain the gas and oil into separate, safe containers. Old fuel can either be reused or disposed of at a designated location. Oil can be disposed of at a local auto shop or waste center.
Disconnect the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
Method 3: Throwing Out or Recycling
You can throw away an old gas lawn mower, but there are a few steps you need to take. In most areas, you can’t just put it out on the curb for normal trash collection.
Step 1: Preparing the Mower
Before you throw out your mower, you need to prepare it. Drain all the fuel into a gasoline-safe container. Gas can be reused if it’s new and clean, or it can be disposed of at a waste facility.
Drain oil out of the mower as well. Old oil should be collected and recycled at a local auto shop or waste facility.
Disconnect or remove the spark plug to prevent any accidental starts. Do this as a precaution even if the mower is broken and cannot start. The mower is now safe for disposal.
Step 2: Evaluating Disposal Options
Your normal garage service may offer bulk item collection. For large items like mowers, you need to contact your service provider ahead of time to arrange a pick-up. They may charge extra for this service, depending on the size and weight of your mower, as well as where and when you want it collected.
In some areas, you may be able to transport your old mower to a nearby junkyard or landfill for disposal. If you choose this option, you will need to transport the mower yourself. There may be a fee for disposal, but this varies depending on your local area.
You may also dispose of your gas lawn mower at a local recycling center. Contact your local recycling authority to check if they offer pick-up service for recycling a lawn mower.
Conclusion
There are different ways to get rid of an old gasoline mower you don’t want anymore, whether it’s working or not. By selling, donating, trashing, or recycling your old mower you can move on to a mower that suits your needs better.
Do you have any questions about disposing of your gas mower? Leave a comment below.
