Trade It In
If you are upgrading to a new appliance, it is quite common for the dealer to agree to remove the old one when delivering the new unit. Sometimes you might be charged a nominal fee, especially when it comes to refrigerators, which must be serviced and prepared properly for disposal. This type of removal is the best strategy when upgrading any large appliance. Let the store deal with taking away and disposing of the old one.
You can also check with your local utility company to see if there is a removal service for older energy-guzzling appliances. Many utilities offer a rebate for your trade-in, and you might be surprised to learn how recent the old refrigerator model can be and still qualify for this promotion.