WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE MY USED REFRIGERATOR?
- It’s actually illegal to throw away refrigerators.
- The valuable appliance components may yield a monetary return if recycled.
What are some STIPULATIONS FOR RECYCLING REFRIGERATORS?
If the refrigerator is intact, including the compressor and/or intact coolant lines, there is a $15 handling charge per unit. This is to cover costs associated with properly draining the hazardous coolant gases that these units contain.
If the unit has already been dismantled and/or drained, the customer must sign a document that includes the name of the person or company that removed the coolant, and will be paid the scrap value of the unit.
WHY IS IT ILLEGAL TO THROW AWAY MY REFRIGERATOR?
The potential chemical damage caused by freon and other refrigerants resulted in a nationwide ban on the disposal of these liquids in landfills.
This is a federal law and should be taken seriously.
What are some common Types of Refrigerants?
• R-22 refrigerants: These are typically present in older models. Because of their destructive properties, there have been steps taken to reduce the amount of toxicity in these materials.
• R410A refrigerants: These are typically present in newer models and are the result of years of testing and experimentation. This product is technically less harmful than R-22, and it passes EPA standards. Unfortunately, this refrigerant can still negatively impact the environment and is still a concern if dealt with improperly.
What are some other Liquid Materials used in refrigerators?
- Mercury – most units produced before the year 2000 will contain trace amounts of mercury
- Compressor Oil – all instances of compressor oil must be extracted before the recycling process can begin.
WHAT RECYCLABLE MATERIALS ARE PRESENT IN REFRIGERATORS?
There are many types of metals and plastics that make up the components of refrigerators. However, aluminum is most frequently used because of its resistance to corrosion.
The tubing in modern components is typically made of copper or, once again, aluminum. These materials are utilized because they increase system efficiency and exhibit fantastic thermal transferring capabilities.
While plastics aren’t utilized for system efficiency, they’ve been implemented recently in an effort to cut cost and reduce appliance weight.
Sheet metal typically covers and encases the refrigeration system. This is usually painted or powdered to prevent deterioration and rusting caused by external elements.
CAN I REMOVE THE REFRIGERATOR MYSELF?
Only experienced professionals should handle the removal of refrigerators. Do not dispose of the outdated appliance yourself unless you’ve been properly trained.
The dangerous liquids and associated tubes and compartments need to undergo proper disposal. An EPA-licensed technician will need to recover the potentially hazardous refrigerant from the system, handling any liquid refrigerant lines with care. If these lines are damaged, the caustic fluid will leak, causing harm to the environment.
WHAT SIZE OF REFRIGERATOR CAN BE RECYCLED?
Any size, brand, type, and age of refrigerator will have recyclable materials. Cohen will recycle anything from mini-fridges to full, modern, double-door refrigerators.
The larger refrigerators will typically provide you with more value for your scrap, due to the fact there is simply more valuable metal and plastic.