How to Dispose of Microwave Oven
- 1Microwave ovens and multi-function convection ovens are electronic waste (e-waste) combining high-voltage magnetrons, cooling fans, heavy metal chassis, and glass doors.
- ✓They qualify for free door-to-door single-item e-waste home pickup (1588-1590) or apartment small e-waste collection bins; inner heat-resistant glass turntable plates must never be mixed into standard bottle recycling bins.
How to Dispose (6 Steps)
- 1
Wipe down interior food splatters: Clean off leftover grease, oil, and food residue from inner chamber walls with paper towels to prevent pests and odors.
- 2
Separate heat-resistant turntable glass: The inner tempered glass tray melts at a different temperature than bottle glass and cannot be recycled in bottle bins; wrap in newspaper and discard in a non-combustible PP bag or general trash (if using e-waste home pickup, keep assembled inside the unit).
- 3
Bundle electrical power cord: Neatly coil the rear power cable and secure it firmly with a cable tie or tape against the back panel.
- 4
Schedule free door-to-door e-waste pickup (Single-unit eligible): Microwave ovens qualify as standalone single-item pickups via the Ministry of Environment e-waste service (1588-1590 / www.1590.or.kr) with zero fee.
- 5
Drop into apartment small e-waste bins for free: Deposit the bundled microwave oven directly into apartment small e-waste collection boxes or Dong Community Center drop-off bins.
- 6
Bulky waste sticker for oversized built-in ovens: Heavy built-in combo ranges exceeding 1 meter require municipal bulky waste stickers (approx. ₩3,000–₩7,000).
Real-World Examples
Standard 20L–23L microwave oven: Wrap cords and drop into apartment/community center small e-waste bin or book single-unit free home pickup.
Convection / Lightwave hybrid oven: Drop in e-waste bin or schedule free doorstep collection via 1588-1590.
Standalone inner turntable glass plate: Wrap in newspaper and discard inside non-combustible PP bag or general trash.
Heavy built-in kitchen range oven: Apply for municipal bulky waste sticker and place at designated curbside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why can't the microwave glass turntable be placed in glass recycling bins?
A. Turntable plates are made of specialized heat-resistant borosilicate/tempered glass engineered to endure thermal stress. Their melting point is hundreds of degrees higher than ordinary soda-lime container glass. Mixing them into glass recycling streams forms unmelted stones in glass furnaces that cause catastrophic bottle cracking. Always wrap in newspaper and dispose in non-combustible PP bags or general trash.
Q. Can I request free home pickup (1588-1590) for just 1 single microwave oven?
A. Yes, absolutely. While most minor small appliances require a minimum bundle of 5 items, microwave ovens are designated as single-eligible major/medium appliances under the Ministry of Environment e-waste program. You can book free doorstep pickup for a single unit via 1588-1590 or www.1590.or.kr.
Q. Can I drop a microwave oven directly into apartment small e-waste collection bins?
A. Yes. As long as the unit fits inside the bin opening, household microwave ovens under 1 meter in height can be placed inside apartment small e-waste boxes or Dong Community Center collection bins 100% free of charge without stickers.