How To Dispose of a Treadmill: Advice From Equipment Experts

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All good things must end, especially the broken treadmill that’s doubled as a clothes hanger for months. I’ve been through several treadmills myself and faced the question of how to dispose of a treadmill that was once my trusted cardio friend. Disposal options can vary by location, but you can generally get rid of an old treadmill, elliptical, and other large electric gym equipment with a bit of ingenuity and a phone call (or two).

A treadmill in relatively good condition doesn’t need to go to the landfill, where its bulk takes up precious space. Whether it’s deconstructing your used treadmill or giving it a new life by selling or donating it, there are multiple ways to add extra real estate to your home gym.

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Read on for our expert advice on treadmill disposal.

4 Ways To Dispose of a Treadmill

This headline may seem a little misleading. Yes, you might need to dispose of a treadmill if the belt and motor have no hope of another mile, but sometimes, a little TLC can coax used exercise equipment back to life. You can start with our expert guide on how to fix a broken treadmill. But if fixing it isn’t an option, rather than leaving your treadmill out on the curb and hoping nature reclaims it, here are a few alternatives to help you connect your used fitness equipment with those possessing the know-how and willingness to give it new life.

Manufacturer Recycling Programs

Manufacturer recycling and take-back programs aren’t available for most US fitness equipment brands—yet. We suggest contacting your machine’s manufacturer by phone or email to ask if they have a program. The answer is likely no, but letting the manufacturer know that equipment recycling is a wanted service could be the catalyst for change. The hope is that if the want and need exists, such programs may follow.

Local Charity Donation

Old exercise equipment often becomes expensive clothing hangers that eat up much-needed space. You should absolutely get rid of something you don’t use. But if the treadmill has some life left in it, local charities, community centers, and organizations may be willing to repurpose and reuse it.

Call your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or similar nonprofits to check out each organization’s donation rules. A quick call can save you from showing up with the treadmill only to find they’re not accepting this type of donation or that they require the equipment to work or have all parts and manuals. Some may only accept larger items if they have room on the sales floor.

Resell/Giveaway Sites

Resell and giveaway sites are everywhere, though some may or may not be active in your area. Apps like Offerup, Facebook marketplace, and sites like Craigslist have ready-made markets for people searching for a good deal.

Enterprising folks with electrical know-how may be looking to fix a treadmill to save money. Others may use it for parts. If you aim to just get rid of the treadmill, offer it for free. However, you might make a little cash if the treadmill has some life left.

RELATED: Used vs. New Treadmills

Local E-Waste Disposal

If the treadmill isn’t functional, your city or county may have a program for electrical waste disposal, sometimes called e-waste. Not every city has these programs, but it’s worth looking up the kinds of items they’ll accept.

Search for junk removal companies, which often have curbside pickup programs for free or for a fee when you book online. Local waste management companies may also offer treadmill removal as part of their trash pickup services, but you’ll need to call to find out what they accept. Your local recycling center might also accept a treadmill.

How Do You Take a Treadmill Apart?

Treadmill disassembly requires a few tools, like a Phillips-head screwdriver, hex wrench, sockets, and (possibly) a hammer. The exact tools you need will depend on the make and model of your treadmill.

Before you loosen a screw or bolt, read through the owner’s manual. You might be able to download the manual from the manufacturer’s website if you can’t find it. However, the steps to take a treadmill apart are similar from model to model.

Unplug the treadmill.
Remove the safety key from the console and place it in a plastic bag so it doesn’t get lost.
Use a hex wrench or sockets to loosen and remove the screws or bolts that hold the motor cover. Place them in a plastic bag so they don’t get lost.
Carefully remove the cover.
Loosen and remove the screws or bolts that attach the motor to the frame. You might need sockets or a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Remove the motor from the frame and set it aside.
Locate the console wires. If you need to remove a cover from the uprights or console to access them, do so.
Disconnect the console wires. Tape them together if you need to reassemble the treadmill.
Remove the console from the uprights if they are separate pieces.
Locate and remove the screws and bolts that attach the uprights/console to the frame, and remove the uprights.
All that remains now is the deck. If it’s attached to any kind of frame, use a screwdriver or sockets to remove the deck from any remaining supports.

If you’re disassembling the treadmill to move it somewhere else, be sure to place hardware in plastic bags and label where they were used on the treadmill.

How To Dispose of a Treadmill: Final Thoughts

There’s more than one way to get rid of a treadmill. More and more options for eco-friendly disposal open up every year. Different options may be available based on your location. Some of the more eco-friendly options include:

E-waste recycling or junk removal service
Donations to local or national charities
Resell sites

Don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer so they know there’s a demand for exercise equipment recycling.

How To Dispose of a Treadmill: FAQs

Do scrap metal collectors take treadmills?

Some scrap metal collectors will take a treadmill, though you may have to disassemble the treadmill yourself and separate the recyclable treadmill parts from the non-recyclable ones. Metal collectors may offer a pick up service for bulky items for a fee.

Does NordicTrack have a recycling program?

At this time, NordicTrack does not have a recycling program. In truth, most major exercise equipment manufacturers do not have recycling programs. That’s one reason we suggest letting them know recycling is important to their customer base.

What is the average life of a treadmill?

Your treadmill’s quality and how often (or at what speed) you use it can greatly affect its life span. In general, treadmills can last anywhere from seven to 12 years. However, if your treadmill is heavily used, it will wear out much faster, with the belt being the most common breakdown point.

How much does it cost to get a treadmill fixed?

Most treadmills have warranties of varying lengths on the motor, frame, and parts and around 90 days to one year on parts and labor. Repairs typically fall between $150 to $300, though can vary by manufacturer. Fixing something like a motor will be at the high end of the range, while a roller or belt will be lower.

Stacey L. Nash, CPT

Stacey L. Nash is a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach from the Pacific Northwest. Her work has been featured on Greatist, Popular Science, and Psych Central. She’s a former college athlete whose competitive career ended with an injury, but she continues to use her love of physical activity to motivate and educate others about proper nutrition and healthy movement patterns. She’s also a (slow) runner, classically-trained soprano, and a mom to four fantastic kids.

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