Commercial Fridge Disposal for Sydney Cafes, Bars and Restaurants
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Commercial refrigeration is the same job as a domestic fridge, scaled up — and with one difference that matters: the gas in a commercial unit is often far more damaging than the gas in a household one. We collect glass-door display fridges, under-bench units, back-bar refrigeration and chest freezers across Sydney.
What we take
- Glass-door display and drinks fridges
- Under-bench and back-bar fridges
- Upright commercial freezers
- Chest freezers
- Bar fridges and wine fridges
- Bench-top display units
We don't take cool rooms, ovens, dishwashers, prep benches, extraction or general fit-out material. Refrigeration units only — that's the stream that needs licensed handling, and it's what we're set up for.
Why commercial refrigerant matters more
Domestic fridges these days mostly use hydrocarbon refrigerant with a very low global warming potential. Commercial refrigeration is different — blends such as R404A have been widely used, and their global warming potential runs into the thousands relative to carbon dioxide.
Commercial units also hold considerably more refrigerant than a household fridge. So venting a single commercial display fridge can do far more atmospheric damage than venting a domestic one — which is exactly why it has to be recovered by a licensed handler before anything is crushed. More on refrigerants.
Planning a fit-out changeover
The pattern that works for hospitality:
- Book removal for after the new units are in and running, not before. You can't trade without refrigeration, and delivery dates slip.
- Empty and defrost the outgoing units the night before, and bail out the meltwater. Commercial freezers hold a lot of ice.
- Have them disconnected by whoever is doing the install — we collect, we don't decommission plumbed or hard-wired equipment.
- Arrange for your team or installer to move the units safely to the agreed collection point before our crew arrives. We do not carry units from inside buildings or on stairs; contact us to confirm the collection point.
- Plan any internal movement with your team or installer — basements, tight service corridors and stairs are common in Sydney hospitality. Tell us about vehicle access to the agreed collection point.
Access is usually the constraint
Commercial units are heavier and bulkier than domestic ones, and hospitality venues are rarely designed around getting them back out. Your team or installer needs to plan this before collection. Check:
- Whether your team needs a lift or goods hoist to move a basement or upstairs unit to the agreed collection point before pickup
- Doorway widths on the route out
- Whether it's on castors
- Loading zone availability and permitted hours — in the CBD, Surry Hills and Newtown this is often the deciding factor
- Whether a fixed bar or bench needs to come apart first
Send us photos of the unit and proposed collection point, and contact us to confirm collection access and a fixed price.
Timing around trade
We run Monday to Friday, 6am–4pm. For venues, early mornings before service usually work best — particularly in areas where loading zones are contested later in the day. Tell us your trading hours and we'll fit around them.
Multiple units and closures
If you're closing a site or refitting completely, quote the whole lot as one job. Several units in a single visit is more efficient than piecemeal bookings, and we can work around a staged handover.
Certificates of recycling are available if you need documentation for a lease make-good, a franchise requirement or sustainability reporting — ask when you request the quote.
What it costs
Domestic-scale units are $80 for small–medium, $150 for large. Larger commercial refrigeration is quoted on the unit and the access, because a bench-top display fridge and a three-door upright are different sizes. Units must be ready at the agreed collection point before pickup; your team or installer handles any internal movement. Send photos and we'll give you a fixed price.
Frequently asked questions
Do you disconnect the units?
No — have them disconnected by your electrician or installer. We collect and recycle.
Can you come before opening?
Yes, early starts are usually easiest for both of us.
Do you take cool rooms?
No. Standalone refrigeration units only.
Can I get a certificate of recycling?
Yes — ask when you book.
What about the old TVs and screens behind the bar?
Those we take too — from $80 ($150 for a large TV). Bundle it into the same quote.