How to Dispose of an Old Lawn Mower and Grill: Boise Disposal Guide

How to dispose of an old lawn mower comes down to three steps: get the gas and oil out, pull the battery if it has one, then pick a disposal route for what's left, either recycling or a new owner. Grills and broken yard gear work the same way. Clear out anything that burns or leaks, then deal with the rest.

Fall's a good time to finally book **junk removal in Boise** for the mower that quit in August, the grill with the rusted-out burner and the rake missing half its tines. Before anyone hauls it off, there are a few things you'll want to handle yourself.

Why gas equipment needs more prep than other stuff

Most of what's in a garage is easy. A broken chair is a broken chair.

A lawn mower and a grill are different because of what's inside them. A gas engine has fuel in the tank and oil in the crankcase. A gas grill usually has a propane tank hooked to it, and leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws often still have a gas and oil mix sitting in them.

That goes for any gas-powered equipment, from a push model to a riding lawn tractor. The bigger the machine, the more fuel and oil it holds.

None of that belongs in a truck bed rattling down Eagle Road or the Connector. Fuel leaks, it stinks, and it's a fire risk, especially on a hot day.

How to dispose of an old lawn mower safely

Every mower disposal job starts the same way. Empty out whatever can leak, then figure out where the rest goes.

Gas and oil

The easiest move is to run the lawn mower dry on its last day. Let it go until it sputters out.

Won't start at all? Siphon what's left in the tank into an approved gas can.

Oil's less of a worry. Draining it is nice, but the main thing is that nothing's leaking. Tip the deck a little, and if nothing drips, you're in decent shape.

If you do drain it, pour the oil into an appropriate container with a tight lid. A lot of auto parts stores take used motor oil, so it's worth a quick call.

Old gas doesn't go down a storm drain or into the trash. Ada County takes household hazardous waste at the landfill, and Canyon County has its own collection options for folks in Nampa and Caldwell. Check their current hours and disposal rules before you load up.

Good to know: Old gas should be taken in an appropriate container, like an approved gas can with the cap on tight. A milk jug or soda bottle can split or leak on the way.

Batteries

An electric or battery lawn mower is simpler since there's no fuel. Just pull the battery. Lithium batteries need their own recycling path and shouldn't get crushed in with scrap metal.

A riding mower often has a lead-acid battery too. Many auto parts stores take those back, and your county's solid waste department can tell you where else to drop one off.

Not sure what you've got? Check the label for the battery type, then call around to learn how to recycle it the right way.

Sell it, trade it or recycle it?

Once the fluids and battery are out of the lawn mower, you've got a few disposal choices. Mower recycling is the simplest route for one that's done for. One that still runs is worth more to someone else, so try to trade it or list it first.

A dead one is mostly steel and aluminum, so it can usually go to a local recycling facility instead of the trash. Some cities and counties also hold a community recycling event now and then, which is a handy way to learn how to recycle old fuel cans, batteries and other odd stuff in one trip.

Worth asking: Call the recycling centre before you load up. Some want the fluids drained and the battery pulled first, and it's better to know that before you make the drive.

Grills, yard gear and the rest of the garage

What happens to an old grill

Grills are mostly steel, cast iron and aluminum, which is good news. Those parts can usually be recycled instead of going in the trash.

Charcoal grills are the easy ones. Dump the old ash once it's completely cold, and you're done.

Gas grills need the propane tank off before disposal.

Heads up: Take the propane tank off your grill before pickup day and set it somewhere separate. Plenty of hardware stores and gas stations run tank exchanges, so an empty one is often easy to swap out. If you'd rather have it hauled, ask about the tank when you call instead of assuming it can ride along with the grill.

Built-in and island-style grills take more work because they're tied into a counter or a gas line. If yours runs on natural gas, have a plumber or the gas company cap that line before anything gets pulled loose.

Still works, and you just upgraded? Try listing it or offering it to a neighbor first. A working grill is worth more to somebody than it is as scrap.

Rakes, shovels and the rest of the pile

Yard tools are the stuff people forget they own until they finally clear off the garage wall. Garage cleanouts tend to turn it all up at once.

Broken shovels, bent rakes, a cracked wheelbarrow, a hose reel that won't reel. Most of that worn-out equipment goes in the same load as everything else. Steel heads often get recycled, while wood handles and plastic parts usually end up as regular waste.

The good stuff is a different story. A decent shovel or a pair of loppers is useful to somebody, so set those aside to give away instead of tossing them.

What about the half-used bags of fertilizer, weed killer and bug spray on the shelf? Those count as chemical waste. They follow the same county collection rules as old gas, so keep them out of the junk pile.

Is junk removal in Boise worth it for just one machine?

Honest answer: sometimes it isn't, and we'd rather tell you that up front.

Our pricing is based on how much space your stuff takes up in the truck, so one machine is a small load. If that's truly all you've got, a local scrap yard or a repair service for small engines might take it off your hands.

But it's rarely just the one thing, is it? A lot of garages in Meridian, Kuna or up on the Bench have old yard equipment, the grill, a couple of patio chairs and a pile of rakes. Add it all up, and one visit to clear the lot usually beats several dump runs in your own car.

A few things move the price: how much you've got, how heavy it is, and how easy it is to reach. Something sitting in the driveway is a lot quicker than something wedged behind a boat at the back of a shop.

Whatever service you hire, it's fair to ask where your stuff ends up, whether that's recycling, donation or general waste disposal.

Most of the work here is prep. Run out or drain the gas, get the propane tank off the grill, and pull batteries from anything electric. Keep the chemicals in their own box, and what's left is just hauling.

If you'd like a hand with that part, Top Shelf Junk Removal and Demolition works across the Treasure Valley. Give us a call at (208) 593-2877, and we'll come take a look and give you a firm price before we touch anything.

Frequently asked questions

How much does disposal cost?

It depends on the route you pick. Taking a lawn mower to a recycler yourself may cost little more than your time, while a pickup service prices by the size of the load and how easy it is to reach. A free estimate gets you the real number.

Will a scrap yard take a mower?

Many will, once the gas and oil are drained and the battery is out. Call the recycling centre ahead and ask what they need first.

How do I get rid of the old gas and oil?

Old gas should be taken to your county's collection site in a sealed gas can. Used oil can often go to an auto parts store. Neither one belongs in the trash, a storm drain or your yard.

What about the battery?

Related reading: Junk Removal Boise Prices: What Your Quote Actually Includes and Junk Removal Boise Prices: What Moves the Cost and How Estimates Work.

Pull it before anything else goes anywhere. Lithium packs and lead-acid batteries each need their own recycling path, and neither should go out with regular waste.