Whats the best way to dispose of a non-working microwave oven?”
A Microwave oven contains a few electronics, a motor for the fan and/or one for the carousel, and the magnetron that produces the microwaves. The magnetron may contain a small amount of beryllium oxide, depending on its age. That is the only intrinsically hazardous substance in the entire unit. However, it’s enough to raise concerns. The California EPA lists a number of models that it considers to be environmental hazards, not suitable for ordinary recycling: http://www.iwma.com/directory-aj/electronics.html Product Type Manufacturer Model No. Microwave Oven GE Dual Wave II JE1465001 Microwave Oven Montgomery Ward 1.5 KSA 8223A Microwave Oven Sharp Carousel II R4A83A Microwave Oven JD Penney Microwave 863553570 If your model is listed here, you should take it to a hazardous waste facilit
