TownDumps

Rhode Island guide

How to get rid of an air conditioner or dehumidifier in Rhode Island

Window air conditioners and dehumidifiers usually count as Freon (refrigerant) appliances at town transfer stations. Fees are local. Resource Recovery in Johnston also accepts white goods under its published schedule.

Facts checked against RIRRC and town sources on 2026-11-05.

Why Freon units cost more

Town fee sheets commonly separate Freon / refrigerant appliances (air conditioners, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, freezers) from non-Freon white goods. That split shows up in the town pages below. Do not vent refrigerant yourself. Follow the town or facility instructions; many stations accept the unit intact and handle refrigerant through their vendor.

Resource Recovery (Johnston)

  • White goods without CFC coolant (Freon): $0 on the FY27 Fee Schedule.
  • White goods with CFC coolant (Freon): $12 each on the FY27 Fee Schedule.
  • Accepted via the Residential Recycling Area for special / bulky drop-off. Individual residents pay commercial fees, not municipal rates.

Sources: Fee Schedule FY27 PDF, Residential Recycling Area.

Town pages with Freon / AC fees

  • Bristol - Freon items (drop-off): $25 per unit
  • Coventry - Freon appliance drop-off: $25 cash at DPW; Non-Freon appliance / scrap metal drop-off: Free
  • Glocester - Scrap metal / non-Freon appliances: Accepted in metal area (no gas tanks, fence, wire, or cable)
  • Hopkinton - Air conditioner: $20
  • Jamestown - Refrigerators: Charge applies under state law for refrigerant removal; doors must be removed. Confirm current amount with transfer station staff.
  • Little Compton - Appliance coupon (refrigerant items: A/C, dehumidifier, freezer, refrigerator): $25.00
  • Narragansett - Freon appliances: $24 each; Non-Freon appliances: $8 each
  • New Shoreham - Appliances (no Freon): $10 each; Appliances with Freon: $50 each
  • North Kingstown - Metal, brush, wood waste, demolition, non-Freon appliances, bulky items: $0.15 per pound ($15 minimum) if not in a tagged 34-gallon bag; Appliances with refrigerants (doors removed from refrigerators): $15 per unit
  • Richmond - Air conditioner: $20
  • South Kingstown - Refrigerant (Freon) appliances: $24 each; Non-Freon appliances: $8 each
  • West Greenwich - Freon dehumidifier: $10; Freon air conditioner or refrigerator: $20; Non-Freon appliances / scrap metal: Free in scrap metal bin
  • Westerly - Freon units: $30 (must go on scale)

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