Once your refrigerator kicks the bucket, you may be tempted to throw it away. Don’t.
Not only do refrigerators take up massive amounts of space in a landfill, but they also contain toxic chemicals which can leak out and pollute soil and nearby bodies of water. Instead of tossing out your old refrigerator, turn it into something great. Here are a few ways you can upcycle your fridge:
1). Store your books, clothes, or food
Just because your refrigerator has lost its ability to keep cold, doesn’t mean it has lost its ability to act as a storage container. Take off the doors and use it as a bookshelf, or keep the doors on and turn it into an armoire or a standalone pantry.
2). Turn it into a cooler
Your refrigerator is well-insulated; use that to your advantage by turning it into a cooler. Just detach the doors, turn it on its side, fill it with ice, and voila – a place to keep your beer cold during your next party.
3). A bed for your flowers
Garden beds can cost upwards of $100, but if you have an old refrigerator, you already have one you can use for free. GeeksOfGardens.com gives you step-by-step instructions for turning your old refrigerator into a raised garden bed.
4.) Use it at your next BBQ
Believe it or not, refrigerators can easily be converted into meat smokers. Just cut a 6” hole near the bottom, attach a smoke box and seal it up, and add a vent at the top. The shelves are perfect for smoking ham, turkey, and salmon!
5). A scenic addition to your landscape
Do you dream of having a pond in your back yard? A broken refrigerator can help turn your dream into a reality. Just remove the compressor, refrigerant, doors, and shelves, bury what’s left, and add plumbing.
Looking for more ways to upcycle your refrigerator? Check out this list from Green Eco Services!
Before you go turning your refrigerator into a garden bed, make sure that it can’t be salvaged first. Speedy Refrigerator Service provides same-day refrigerator and freezer repairs to New York City and Long Island. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime to schedule your service at 866-782-9376.