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Sometimes—but do not assume a microwave belongs in your regular garbage bin. Whether a hauler will take it depends on local collection rules. Check your city, county, or waste hauler’s microwave-specific instructions before putting it out.

Why the answer depends on where you live

U.S. EPA guidance says municipal solid waste landfills may receive household appliances, but that does not mean every local hauler accepts a microwave in ordinary curbside trash. States oversee landfill programs and may set stricter requirements, while municipalities arrange collection in different ways. EPA lists scheduled bulky-item pickup and delivery to a transfer station or landfill as examples of appliance-disposal routes; they are not services guaranteed in every community. EPA appliance disposal guidance and EPA landfill guidance describe these distinctions.

What to do before setting it out

  1. Search your official city, county, or waste-hauler website for “microwave disposal,” “appliance bulky item,” or “appliance recycling.” If the instructions are unclear, call the waste authority or hauler.

  2. Ask whether a microwave is accepted with regular garbage or curbside collection, and whether there are size or set-out rules.

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    #1 Best Overall
    BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven, 0.7 Cu.Ft, 700W, Stainless Steel
    • Pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate.Voltage : ‎110 Volts.Rated Input Power(Microwave):1050W
    • 700 Watts with 10 power settings, clock and kitchen timer, 30 Seconds Express Cooking
    • Large LED digital display, easy-to-read control panel, child safety lock, interior light, removable 10” glass turntable
    • Push-button door release for easy access
    • Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.3” x 13” x 10.2”
  3. If it is not accepted in regular collection, ask about bulky-item pickup, including whether you need an appointment, the pickup date, and any fee.

  4. For a drop-off option, confirm that the transfer station, landfill, or recycler accepts a whole microwave from residents—not just small electronics or scrap metal—and ask about fees and preparation instructions.

    Rank #2
    TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu.Ft, 1000W, Stainless Steel
    • Microwave output power 1000 watts, input power 1600 watts. External dimensions 20.6 x 14.6 x 11.8 inches (WxDxH); includes 12.4-inch glass turntable.
    • Smart Sensor Technology for Optimal Cooking: Automatically adjusts cooking time and power based on food humidity, ensuring perfectly cooked meals every time. Say goodbye to overcooked or undercooked dishes.
    • 6 Preset Menus: This countertop microwave features 6 preset menu options for popular foods like pizza, veggie, sensor reheat and more.
    • 10 Unique Power Levels with clock and kitchen timer: Tailor your cooking power levels for greater culinary flexibility, making it an essential kitchen tool. Perfect for everything from deodorization to boiling liquids.
    • Easy Defrost & One touch start: Defrost your frozen food by weight or by time. Quick access to start the microwave from 1 to 6 minutes cooking at full power.
  5. If you are replacing the unit, ask the retailer whether old-appliance removal is available for your purchase and location.

Disposal options to ask about

Route What to confirm locally
Regular garbage or curbside collection Whether the hauler accepts microwaves and any size or set-out rules.
Bulky-item collection Whether advance scheduling is required, the pickup date, and any fee.
Transfer station or landfill Whether it accepts microwaves from residents and what preparation or charges apply.
Appliance or electronics recycler Whether it takes a whole microwave, rather than only small electronics or scrap metal.
Retailer take-back Whether old-unit removal is offered with your replacement purchase in your area.

Can you recycle a microwave?

Possibly, but acceptance varies. EPA recycling guidance identifies metals recovered from appliances as a recycling material category and advises residents to confirm which materials their local curbside or drop-off program accepts. That general guidance does not establish that a particular facility takes a whole microwave. EPA’s guidance on materials accepted by municipal recycling programs is a starting point; confirm directly with the local program or recycler.

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Rank #3
Sale
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.7 Cu. Ft., 700 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button - Black
  • EXTRA-QUICK COOKING: Choose from six popular presets for microwave ovens, including popcorn, pizza, beverages, veggies, potatoes, or leftovers. Or just press the number keys to quickly set the cook time for that number of minutes.
  • LOW TO HIGH POWER: This 700W digital microwave packs big power into a compact appliance! Choose from 10 power levels, from a low setting to melt butter to maximum power for rapid cooking in moments.
  • DIGITAL CONTROLS: It’s easy to set up everything from microwave popcorn to warming up leftovers in this mini microwave. Customize your time and power level or add a bit of extra time with the +30 seconds button.
  • SAFETY FIRST: The built-in child safety lock on the handle ensures the door doesn’t open accidentally. Just pull upwards on the top edge of the handle to open the microwave.
  • MUTE OPTION: Silence this counter top microwave with the Audio Button, turning off any annoying beeps if you’re trying to stay quiet or not wake up your kids.
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Does a microwave need special preparation?

The EPA appliance-disposal material cited here focuses on refrigerated appliances, including their refrigerants, and does not establish a microwave-specific handling rule. Do not assume that refrigerant or other instructions for refrigerators apply to microwaves. Ask the local waste authority or recycler whether the microwave needs any preparation before collection or drop-off.

Best Value
Sale
BLACK+DECKER Microwave Oven Countertop, 1.1 Cu.Ft, 1000W, Stainless Steel
  • Pre-programmed buttons for popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate.Frequency : 60 Hz
  • 1000 Watts Output with 10 power settings, clock and kitchen timer, 30 seconds express cooking, Input power: 1600W
  • Large LED digital display, easy-to-read control panel, child safety lock, interior light, removable 12.4” glass turntable
  • Push-button door release for easy access
  • Dimensions (L x W x H): 20.6” x 14.8” x 11.8”; Color of door frame is stainless steel, enclosure is black
Rank #4
Sale
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 1.1 Cu. Ft., 1000 Watts with 10 Power Levels, 6 Cooking Presets with One-Touch Express Cook, Eco Mode, Child Safety Lock, & Mute Button - Black
  • EXTRA-QUICK COOKING: Choose from six popular presets for microwave ovens, including popcorn, pizza, beverages, veggies, potatoes, or leftovers. Or just press the number keys to quickly set the cook time for that number of minutes.
  • LOW TO HIGH POWER: This 1000W digital microwave packs big power into a compact appliance! Choose from 10 power levels, from a low setting to melt butter to maximum power for rapid cooking in moments.
  • DIGITAL CONTROLS: It’s easy to set up everything from microwave popcorn to warming up leftovers in this mini microwave. Customize your time and power level or add a bit of extra time with the +30 seconds button.
  • MEMORY FUNCTION: Program frequently used countertop microwaves functions into the control panel for one-touch microwave food. All your daily favorites are easy to set up and start microwaving.
  • SAFETY FIRST: The built-in child safety lock on the handle ensures the door doesn’t open accidentally, and you can disable the microwave control panel using the Lock Mode.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.