How to Dispose of a Vacuum Cleaner (Corded or Cordless)

Empty it

Empty the bin or bag into the trash, and toss used filters. Wrap the cord.

Corded vacuums

Many county programs take small appliances with electronics. Kent County, MI's disposal fee sheet lists electronics and other appliances as free, for example. Elsewhere, a corded vacuum may go to scrap metal or bulky trash. Working vacuums can be donated, and repair shops may want parts. See the electronics guide.

Checked October 2026. Rules for this item vary by city and county, and fees and accepted items change. Check your local solid waste or household hazardous waste page, or call the site, before you haul.

Cordless stick and robot vacuums

These run on lithium-ion packs. EPA's electronics donation and recycling page says to remove batteries from electronics before recycling, and that lithium-ion devices don't go in household garbage or recycling bins. EPA's lithium-ion battery page says to tape the terminals or bag each battery. Many packs click out. If the battery is built in, take the whole unit to an e-waste or HHW drop-off rather than prying it open. Call2Recycle lists battery drop-offs. See where to recycle batteries.

Robot vacuum extras

Robot vacuums store maps of your home. Remove the device from its app and factory reset it before passing it on. Charging docks are e-waste. Keep battery devices from being crushed in the load. See keeping lithium packs uncrushed in the load.