Old fridge in Quebec City: where to take it for free (2026 guide)

In Quebec City, an old fridge can almost always go for free: the city picks it up when you book through 311, the ecocentres accept it, and most big retailers take the old one back when they deliver the new one. Hydro-Québec’s Recyc-Frigo program, however, ended on December 31, 2014 — there’s no rebate today. Here are the options that actually exist, and the rules to follow.

Information checked on October 19, 2026 with the Ville de Québec, GoRecycle, RECYC-QUÉBEC and retailers.

Why a fridge isn’t regular garbage

A fridge contains halocarbons: the refrigerant in its circuit and the blowing agents in its insulating foam. In Québec, the Regulation respecting halocarbons forbids releasing them into the air, and only someone holding an environmental qualification certificate may drain the circuit. So never take a fridge apart yourself or puncture its lines: administrative penalties start at $2,000 for an individual.

Since December 2020, household appliances fall under extended producer responsibility. The recognized organization, GoRecycle, collects fridges at its drop-off points and sends them to specialized recyclers, which also treat the foam. According to GoRecycle, more than 95% of an appliance’s materials are recovered this way.

Hydro-Québec’s Recyc-Frigo: over since 2014

The Recyc-Frigo Environnement program ran from April 2008 to December 31, 2014. Hydro-Québec picked up old, still-working fridges and freezers over 10 years old for free and mailed a cheque — $60 at first, $30 from 2011. Nearly 460,000 appliances were recycled.

Today, Hydro-Québec has no fridge program, and no rebate has replaced it. If you read elsewhere that an “ÉcoFrigo” program gives you a credit on your bill, that’s wrong: no such program exists.

Option 1 — The city’s refrigerated bulky item pickup (free)

The Ville de Québec picks up fridges, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and water coolers from residential properties for free. You book through 311 or with the online “encombrants réfrigérants” form, which is separate from the one for other bulky items.

The rules:

• put the appliance out after 7 p.m. the night before or before 7 a.m. on collection day;
• set it on the ground, as close to the building as possible, visible from the street;
• remove the door or tape it shut so no child can get trapped;
• empty it of its contents and any liquid;
• it must be manageable by two people.

The service is for residences only — businesses aren’t eligible. And you’re the one who gets the fridge outside.

Option 2 — The ecocentre (free)

The city’s five ecocentres accept fridges from residents of Québec City, L’Ancienne-Lorette and Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures for free, with no annual limit. They’re GoRecycle drop-off points. Bring photo ID and proof of residence, and someone to help you unload: staff aren’t allowed to. Addresses and hours are in our guide to Quebec City ecocentres.

In Lévis, the ecocentre at 3443 rue de Vulcain also accepts Lévis residents’ cooling appliances for free. GoRecycle even offers free curbside pickup there, booked online — a service that doesn’t cover Quebec City.

Option 3 — Retailer take-back

It isn’t a legal obligation, but most big retailers in the region take the old appliance back when they deliver the new one, in partnership with GoRecycle. It’s usually free if the appliance is already unplugged and accessible; fees may apply if it has to be carried out of the home.

• Best Buy: haul-away and recycling included in Québec.
• Home Depot: free removal on delivery when you don’t take installation.
• Rona: pickup of the old appliance included with delivery, in some areas.
• Tanguay (formerly Brault & Martineau): ask when you buy; the appliance must be unplugged and pulled out.
• Costco: take-back offered for some large appliances; price not published.

Ask when you buy — it’s often too late once delivery is scheduled.

Option 4 — Donate it if it still works

A clean, working fridge can still be useful. GoRecycle lists a reuse point in Quebec City for appliances in good condition (WL Ameublement, 540 rue de l’Argon). Some charities, like the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Society, run appliance stores: call first to check their conditions. Our guide to donating furniture in Quebec City lists local organizations.

Option 5 — Have it carried out for you

The free options all have one thing in common: you carry the fridge out — to the curb or to your vehicle. A fridge is heavy and awkward on basement stairs or a triplex’s outdoor staircase.

That’s where a pickup service like our appliance removal helps: we take it out of your home, even from the basement or upstairs, often the day your new appliance arrives, and bring it to a certified facility. We never drain the refrigerant ourselves — that’s a job for a certified technician. The price is listed line by line in the calculator on our pricing page.

Freezers, air conditioners, water coolers: same rules?

• Freezers, wine or water coolers, dehumidifiers, window or portable air conditioners: same channels as a fridge — the city’s refrigerated pickup, ecocentres, retailer take-back.
• Heat pumps and wall-mounted air conditioners: excluded from GoRecycle. They must be removed by a certified refrigeration technician.
• Mini-fridges under 2.5 cu. ft.: excluded from extended producer responsibility.

What not to do

• Put it out with the garbage: bulky items are banned from garbage containers in Quebec City. Fines for an individual run from $150 to $1,000 for a first offence.
• Leave it at the curb without booking: also banned.
• Take it apart, puncture it or drain it yourself: reserved for certified technicians.
• Leave the door on while it waits for pickup: remove it or tape it shut.

Summary: which option to choose?

Option	Cost	Who carries it out	When
City refrigerated pickup	Free	You, all the way outside	By booking through 311
Ecocentre	Free	You, with a vehicle and help	Opening hours
Retailer take-back	Often free	The delivery crew (fees possible to carry it out)	When the new one is delivered
Donation	Free	Depends on the charity	Varies
ByeBazar pickup	Published price	Us, from any floor	24-48 hours, sometimes same-day

Official sources

• Ville de Québec — Bulky items (in French)
• Ville de Québec — Ecocentres (in French)
• GoRecycle — Drop-off points in Quebec City
• RECYC-QUÉBEC — Household appliances (in French)
• Regulation respecting halocarbons (Q-2, r. 29)

Updated October 19, 2026: article fully revised. The previous version described an “ÉcoFrigo” program that doesn’t exist, wrong ecocentre addresses and inaccurate drop-off fees; we apologize.