Skip to main content

Sustainable appliances: Understanding environmental impact and lifecycle

Every appliance has a story that extends far beyond your kitchen or laundry room. From the materials and refrigerants used in manufacturing to how products are shipped, powered, and eventually recycled, your household machines play a bigger role in the planet’s health than most of us realize. In this series, Reviewed explores the full lifecycle of large appliances—their carbon footprints, end-of-life challenges, and the innovations making them cleaner and more sustainable. Learn how to dispose of old units responsibly, what refrigerant types matter for climate impact, and which brands are leading on sustainability and repairability. Whether you’re upgrading your fridge, installing a new dishwasher, or just curious about where your appliances go when they die, this is your guide to making choices that matter.

A drawing of a washing machine in a graveyard.

feature

Where do old appliances go when they die?

Read more

feature

Refrigerants explained: What’s cooling your fridge

Read more
A dishwasher follows an arrow into a metal trashcan

how-to

How to get rid of an old dishwasher

Read more
A glass with cash in it sitting on an empty refrigerator shelf.

feature

Why energy-efficient appliances matter, and how they save you money

Read more
Propane gas tank next to gas meter reader in front of yellow cartoon flames.

feature

Facts about gas and propane—according to our scientist

Read more
A person sneaking through the night with a refrigerator on their back

feature

Got an old appliance? Here are the best ways to get rid of it

Read more
These eco-friendly products against a beige background could be B Corp products worth shopping.

feature

7 easy ways to use more B-Corp brands

Read more
A water faucet dripping a large drop filled with a home

Series

Water efficiency & why it matters: Smarter ways to save every drop

Read more
Illustration of a home with an air purifier in the middle of a room.

feature

"Dirty cooking" leads to climate change, but you can help

Read more
A calendar on a desk labeled with dollar signs on each day

Series

Energy efficiency & savings guide: How to cut costs

Read more
A small wooden toy house block with an electrical circuit graphic overlay

Series

Electrifying the Home: Smarter, Cleaner Ways to Power Modern Living

Read more