How to Dispose of an Old Toilet: 5 Eco-Friendly Options

Porcelain is heavy, brittle, and almost indestructible once it is in a landfill. An average toilet weighs between 60 and 120 pounds, most of it vitreous china or ceramic that takes hundreds of years to decompose. In 2023 the EPA estimated that roughly 4 million toilets are replaced in the United States every year. If only half of those end up in landfills intact, that is around 120 million pounds of salvageable ceramic buried underground each year.

The good news: every one of the five disposal paths below keeps porcelain out of the landfill, reduces greenhouse gas emissions from trucking, and in many cases costs you nothing. If you are upgrading to a high-efficiency model such as the best flushing toilets reviewed on this site, pairing a responsible disposal plan with your new purchase closes the loop on the full replacement project.

What Should You Do Before Removing the Old Toilet?

Safety matters here. Porcelain is extremely heavy and can shatter into razor-sharp shards. Wear thick work gloves and closed-toe shoes. If the toilet has been in service for decades, the wax ring may have been sealed with lead-based putty on pre-1980 installations. Set the removed toilet on a piece of cardboard or an old blanket to protect your floor and contain any residual water.

Tools you will likely need:

• Adjustable wrench or pliers
• Putty knife or floor scraper
• Bucket and sponge
• Heavy-duty work gloves
• Utility knife (for old caulk)
• Dolly or hand truck for moving

Can You Donate a Used Toilet Instead of Throwing It Away?

Option 1: Donate to Habitat for Humanity ReStore or a Reuse Center

Donation is the highest-value disposal path because it extends the useful life of the fixture, offsets the demand for new manufacturing, and gives you a receipt that may be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution. The IRS allows taxpayers to deduct the fair market value of donated household goods under Section 170 of the tax code, provided the item is in "good used condition or better."

Who accepts toilet donations:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore -- the largest network; check habitat.org/restores for your nearest location
• The Reuse People -- deconstruction-focused nonprofit operating in California, Arizona, and Tennessee
• Local Habitat affiliates -- some offer free pickup for heavy items if you schedule a week in advance
• Salvage yards and architectural salvage shops -- especially interested in vintage or colored porcelain (harvest gold, avocado green) from the 1960s-70s
• Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist "free" listings -- many DIY plumbers and rental property owners actively seek working toilets

Older toilets that use 3.5 or even 5 gallons per flush (GPF) may still be accepted for donation, though some reuse centers prefer units that meet at least the 1.6 GPF standard set by the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Pre-1994 toilets using 3.5 GPF may be refused by centers that have adopted water-conservation policies. If yours is a high-water-user from the 1980s or earlier, call ahead before hauling it across town.

Option 2: Recycle the Porcelain Through a Concrete or Aggregate Recycler

Vitreous china and ceramic are chemically similar to aggregate used in road base, construction fill, and concrete production. A growing number of concrete recyclers and construction debris processors accept porcelain plumbing fixtures. The material is crushed and blended into road sub-base or used as recycled aggregate in new concrete mixes, reducing the demand for virgin quarried stone.

Porcelain recycling availability varies significantly by region. California, Oregon, Washington, and many northeastern states have more robust construction debris recycling infrastructure than the rural Midwest or South. Earth911.com maintains a searchable database by material and zip code; searching "porcelain" or "ceramic" at earth911.com will surface local facilities.

What to expect at a concrete recycler:

• Most accept single-unit drop-offs with no appointment needed during business hours
• Fees range from free to roughly $20-$30 per piece; large urban recyclers often waive small loads
• Remove the toilet seat (plastic is a separate waste stream), tank lid, and all metal hardware before dropping off
• Some facilities require the porcelain to be broken into pieces under a certain size; call ahead to confirm requirements

Does Your City Offer Free Toilet Pickup or Recycling Programs?

Option 3: Schedule a Municipal Bulk-Waste Pickup

Most U.S. cities with curbside waste service schedule periodic bulk or large-item pickup days where residents can set oversized items at the curb. Toilets typically qualify as bulk waste. Some cities include two to four bulk-waste pickups per year in standard residential service; others charge a modest per-item fee ($10-$25 is common). A minority of cities refuse porcelain from residential curbside pickup entirely and direct residents to a transfer station or household hazardous waste facility instead.

To find your city's policy, search "[your city name] bulk waste pickup schedule" or call your public works department. Many cities publish downloadable calendars with collection dates by neighborhood.

Water utility toilet rebate programs are the most financially attractive option and are available in hundreds of cities. Utilities such as the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and the San Antonio Water System have historically offered $50 to $150 rebates per toilet when residents replace a pre-1994 high-flow unit with an EPA WaterSense-certified model using 1.28 GPF or less. The old toilet must typically be surrendered to the utility or a designated recycler to qualify. Programs change year to year; the EPA's WaterSense website maintains a national rebate finder at epa.gov/watersense.

Option 4: Hire a Junk Removal Service

Companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Junk King, LoadUp, and College Hunks Hauling Junk operate in most U.S. metro areas and will carry a toilet from inside your home to their truck. This is the lowest-effort option for homeowners who cannot transport the fixture themselves or who are doing a larger remodel with multiple items to remove.

Cost depends on item count, location, and how much truck space you use. A single toilet typically falls in the range of $50 to $150. Many of these companies now partner with local donation centers and recyclers; ask specifically whether the toilet will be donated, recycled, or landfilled. A reputable company will tell you. If they cannot answer, look for a different provider.

For a full bathroom renovation where you are removing a toilet, vanity, bathtub, tile, and flooring simultaneously, junk removal services often provide the best value because they charge by volume, not by item. The per-toilet cost drops considerably when bundled with other materials.

Option 5: Repurpose or Upcycle the Toilet

This option is not for everyone, but a porcelain toilet can be repurposed in creative ways that keep it entirely out of the waste stream. Gardeners have long used old toilets as planters -- the tank becomes a large planter for herbs or succulents, and the bowl works for larger plants. The porcelain holds moisture well and does not leach chemicals into soil.

Other documented repurposing uses:

• Garden planter -- fill with potting mix, drill additional drainage holes in the bowl bottom, and plant directly
• Outdoor water feature base -- the bowl can be sealed, fitted with a small pump, and converted into a recirculating fountain
• Pet water station -- novel outdoor pet water bowl (more popular than you might expect)
• Art installation -- following in the tradition of Duchamp's 1917 readymade "Fountain," painted or decorated toilets appear regularly at art markets and charity auctions
• Community garden donation -- many urban community gardens accept old toilets as raised planter beds along walkways

What Are the Rules for Disposing of a Toilet in a Landfill?

Landfill disposal is the path of last resort. Porcelain does not decompose meaningfully on any human timescale, it takes up significant volume, and it displaces space that could be used for organic waste that actually breaks down. That said, landfill is sometimes the only practical option in rural areas with limited recycling infrastructure or when a toilet is severely damaged and contaminated beyond normal use.

If you must landfill a toilet, breaking it into smaller pieces first (safely, with eye and hand protection and heavy wrapping to contain shards) may reduce the tipping fee at facilities that charge by volume rather than weight. Do not do this in a residential neighborhood; transport the intact unit and break it at the facility if permitted.

How Do Toilet Disposal Options Differ for Apartment Renters vs. Homeowners?

Condo owners occupy a middle ground: responsibility depends on whether the toilet is considered part of the unit (owner responsibility) or part of the building's shared plumbing system (HOA/building management responsibility). Check your condo bylaws or contact your HOA before undertaking toilet replacement.

Choosing the Right Replacement Toilet After Disposal

Once the old toilet is out, the replacement you choose determines how much water your household uses for the next 20-30 years. The EPA's WaterSense program certifies toilets that use 1.28 GPF or less -- saving more than 16,500 gallons per year compared to a pre-1994 3.5 GPF model in a four-person household. MaP (Maximum Performance) flush testing, conducted by an independent laboratory, scores toilets on their ability to flush solid waste in grams; a score of 500g is considered the minimum for reliable performance, and models scoring 800g or above (MaP Premium) are recommended for families or high-use installations.

The following brands and models represent well-documented, tested options across different price categories:

• TOTO Drake II (1.28 GPF) -- EPA WaterSense certified, MaP score of 1,000g (maximum), Tornado Flush technology, 12-inch rough-in standard. Widely considered the benchmark two-piece toilet in its class by plumbing professionals. Available with SoftClose seat. Check price on Amazon
• TOTO UltraMax II (1.28 GPF) -- One-piece version of the Drake II; same 1,000g MaP score, WaterSense certified, skirted trapway for easier cleaning. One of the most reviewed toilets in the premium one-piece category. Check price on Amazon
• TOTO Aquia IV (0.8/1.0 GPF dual-flush) -- Wall-hung dual-flush option; 0.8 GPF liquid waste setting is among the lowest available on a dual-flush unit. MaP score of 600g+ on full flush. Ideal for water-restricted markets. Check price on Amazon
• Kohler Highline (1.28 GPF) -- WaterSense certified, Class Five flushing technology, 1,000g MaP score. One of the most widely installed residential toilets in North America. Available in 14-inch rough-in, which is rare. Check price on Amazon
• American Standard Champion 4 (1.6 GPF) -- Uses 1.6 GPF rather than 1.28, but is certified for its class. 4-inch accelerator flush valve and EverClean antimicrobial surface. MaP score of 1,000g. Preferred by installers in hard-water regions where low-flow can struggle. Check price on Amazon
• American Standard Cadet 3 (1.28 GPF) -- WaterSense certified at 1.28 GPF, PowerWash rim scrubbing with every flush. Budget-friendly option with solid performance documentation. MaP score of 800g+. Check price on Amazon
• Woodbridge T-0001 (1.28 GPF) -- Dual-flush one-piece with skirted trapway. WaterSense eligible at 1.28 GPF. Popular in mid-range bathroom remodels for its modern aesthetic. MaP score of 600g+ on full flush. Check price on Amazon

For a full comparison of these and other highly rated models, see our guide to the best flushing toilets. You may also find these related articles useful during your replacement project:

• How to Install a Toilet: Step-by-Step Guide
• Best Water-Efficient Toilets: 1.28 GPF and Below
• How to Measure Toilet Rough-In Size
• When and How to Replace a Wax Ring