How to Dispose of Air Fryers
- 1Air fryers are categorized as small electrical appliances (e-waste) comprising circulation fans, heating coils, coated metal baskets, and heat-resistant plastic housings.
- ✓They can be deposited free of charge into dedicated small e-waste collection bins at apartment complexes and community centers, or picked up via free door-to-door bulk e-waste collection (1588-1590).
How to Dispose (5 Steps)
- 1
Wipe Down Food Residue & Oil: Clean off remaining cooking oil, grease, and burnt crumbs from the inner basket and heating chamber using paper towels, then allow it to dry completely.
- 2
Bundle Power Cord & Plug: Neatly wind the electrical cable along the back panel and secure it with a cable tie or elastic band.
- 3
Drop into Small E-Waste Collection Bin: Keep the basket inserted into the main housing and deposit the appliance free of charge into dedicated small e-waste collection boxes at apartments or Dong Community Centers.
- 4
Free Door-to-Door Pickup for 5+ Small Appliances: When grouping 5 or more small electronics (air fryers, rice cookers, fans, toasters), schedule a free doorstep pickup via the E-Waste Collection Portal (1588-1590 / www.1590.or.kr).
- 5
Bulky Waste Sticker for Large Oven Units (Over 1m): Oversized commercial or extra-large multi-tier oven air fryers that cannot fit into standard drop-off bins require a municipal bulky waste sticker (approx. ₩3,000–₩5,000).
Real-World Examples
Compact basket air fryer (2L–7L): Keep basket inserted and deposit into small e-waste collection bin for free
Large oven-style air fryer (10L–25L): Deposit in apartment e-waste station or book free bulk home pickup
Peeling coated basket and crisper tray: Keep assembled inside main unit and dispose together as e-waste
Grouping 5+ small home appliances: Book free door-to-door home pickup service via 1588-1590
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I dispose of the non-stick air fryer basket separately as scrap metal or cans?
A. No, it should be kept inside the main unit and disposed of together as small e-waste. Air fryer baskets feature non-stick PTFE or ceramic heat-resistant coatings bonded to aluminum or steel along with plastic heat-shield handles. In standard scrap metal recycling facilities, composite coatings act as impurities. Keeping the basket inside the appliance ensures proper high-efficiency material recovery at specialized e-waste dismantling centers.
Q. How can studio or villa residents without apartment bin stations dispose of air fryers?
A. You can drop the air fryer for free into public small e-waste collection boxes located in the entrance lobby or recycling yard of your local Dong Community Center (Haengjeong Bokji Center). Alternatively, pack the air fryer in a clear plastic bag and place it outside your door on designated weekly recycling collection nights for city pickup.
Q. Are large oven-style air fryers collected for free, or is a bulky waste sticker required?
A. Standard household oven-style air fryers (10L–25L capacity) qualify as small electrical appliances and can be discarded for free at Dong Community Center drop-off boxes or via door-to-door bulk e-waste collection (1588-1590 when combined with 5+ small appliances). Only oversized commercial baking ovens exceeding 1 meter in width or height require a municipal bulky waste disposal sticker (approx. ₩3,000–₩5,000).