Thursday, June 16, 2016

How the Montreal Protocol Impacts Refrigerant Recycling in the United States

The Montreal Protocol went into effect in 1989. This international treaty governs the emissions of substances that can deplete the ozone. Since the inception of this treaty, specific changes have occurred in refrigerant recycling and other business operations in the United States. Companies that have ratified the Montreal Protocol have succeeded in reducing their overall consumption of ozone-depleting substances by about 95 percent.

The production and use of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons were some of the first practices targeted by this treaty. Businesses within the participating countries began working diligently to phase out the use of these chemicals due to their negative impact on the environment.

Businesses have been working in more environmentally friendly ways to use refrigerants that work efficiently, sustainably, and with low leakage rates. Newer refrigerants are analyzed for safety, environmental impact, and efficiency. Many options exist, but these chemicals have varying degrees of safety and efficiency. One example of a newer refrigerant is carbon dioxide, which is a natural chemical compound that may be suitable for some industrial refrigeration applications.

With the potential for environmental damage with these chemicals, the process of refrigerant recycling becomes an important business consideration.

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