Recycling and Disposal of Blenders, Juicers, and Food Processors

Blenders, juicers, and food processors are small appliances made from mixed materials, including motors, wiring, circuit boards, plastic housings, metal blades, glass jars, rubber seals, and sometimes rechargeable batteries. Because of these mixed components and sharp blades, they should not be placed in curbside recycling.

The best option is to repair, donate, sell, or give away a safe, working appliance. If it no longer works, use a small-appliance or electronics recycler that confirms it accepts the item.

Choose the right option

EPA recognizes that electronic waste contains materials that can be reused, refurbished, and recycled when managed through appropriate programs.

Reuse, repair, donate, or sell

If the appliance still works and is safe, possible reuse options include:

• Thrift stores and charitable resale organizations

• Shelters, community kitchens, food pantries, schools, and job-training programs

• Repair cafés and community workshops

• Online resale or neighborhood giveaway groups

• Friends, family, or neighbors

Call before donating. Many organizations do not accept appliances with broken blades, cracked jars, missing guards, electrical damage, odors, food residue, mold, or recall notices.

Before donating or selling:

• Wash and dry all removable parts.

• Remove food residue from blades, jars, lids, pulp containers, and seals.

• Include the correct lid, jar, bowl, blade assembly, cord, and attachments.

• Check for product recalls through the Consumer Product Safety Commission and manufacturer.

• Clearly disclose known problems, missing parts, or repairs.

Do not donate a blender, juicer, or food processor that sparks, overheats, has a damaged cord, leaks from electrical areas, has cracked blades or housings, or is subject to an unresolved recall.

Recycling options Retail and e-waste programs

Some retailer programs accept specific small appliances, but policies change and individual stores may have different restrictions.

Best Buy currently lists blenders and juicers among the small appliances accepted at participating stores for recycling. Store limits, accepted models, fees, and state restrictions may apply, so verify before visiting.

Staples accepts certain electronics and select kitchen items, but its published U.S. recycling information identifies coffee brewers under 40 pounds as accepted and generally excludes other kitchen appliances. Do not assume Staples will accept blenders, juicers, or food processors without confirmation from the specific store.

Other possible options include:

• Municipal e-waste collection events

• Local electronics recyclers

• Appliance recyclers

• Manufacturer take-back programs

• Scrap-metal recyclers that accept small appliances

• Household hazardous-waste facilities, if they accept electronic devices

Before transporting an appliance, ask whether the facility accepts:

• Blenders, juicers, and food processors

• Appliances with glass jars or sharp blades

• Appliances with rechargeable batteries

• Cords, motors, circuit boards, and plastic housings

• Broken or incomplete appliances

• Items from households only or also businesses

• Drop-offs, appointments, fees, and quantity limits

Separate components safely

Do not dismantle an appliance unless the recycler directs you to do so. Motors, capacitors, wiring, sharp blades, glass, and batteries can create injury or fire hazards.

If a facility asks you to separate parts:

• Metal blades and housings: Ask a scrap-metal recycler whether they are accepted.

• Glass blender jars: Do not place in curbside recycling unless your local program explicitly accepts that type of glass. Most programs accept bottles and jars, not appliance glass.

• Plastic jars, lids, and food-processing bowls: Check local rules. Mixed plastic parts are often not accepted.

• Cords and plugs: Ask an e-waste recycler whether they are accepted with the appliance.

• Rechargeable batteries: Use a dedicated battery or e-waste program. Do not put lithium-ion batteries in trash or curbside recycling.

Wrap removed blades in thick cardboard, tape the package securely, and label it “Sharp Metal” before taking it to a recycler or placing it in trash if local rules permit.

If disposal is necessary

If no recycler accepts the appliance:

1. Unplug it and remove any detachable battery only if it is designed to be removed safely.

2. Clean and dry the appliance.

3. Remove or secure sharp blades.

4. Wrap blades and broken glass in cardboard or place them in a rigid container.

5. Label sharp materials clearly.

6. Follow local bulk-waste or household-trash instructions.

Do not place the complete appliance in curbside recycling. Do not leave it at a donation site, retailer, or recycling drop-off location without permission.

Safety and Legal Notice

This guide is for educational purposes only. Appliance recycling, donation, e-waste, scrap-metal, and waste-disposal rules vary by product, condition, component materials, recycler, retailer, and location. Always contact the receiving organization or local waste authority before transporting or disposing of an appliance.

Do not use, donate, sell, or give away an appliance that is recalled, electrically damaged, sparking, smoking, overheating, leaking into electrical components, missing safety guards, or otherwise unsafe. Do not cut cords, dismantle motors, open sealed components, or remove internal batteries unless the manufacturer or authorized recycler specifically instructs you to do so.

Keep blades, broken glass, cords, and battery-containing components away from children and pets. Wrap sharp blades securely before disposal or transport. If an appliance is smoking, sparking, on fire, or creating an immediate electrical danger, move away from the area and call 911 or your local emergency number.