Refrigerant Recycling: Why It Matters

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established guidelines for safe disposal of refrigerant cylinders. Customers who have refrigerant cylinders that are no longer in use must comply with these refrigerant recycling safety measures. These laws were passed as part of the 1990 Clean Air Act.

Importance of Safe Disposal 

When disposed of improperly, refrigerant cylinders release emissions that pollute the environment. These substances, known as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons (Freon), deplete the ozone layer and contribute to climate change. For this reason, EPA safe disposal regulations apply to all appliances that contain coolant, including car air conditioners, home refrigerators and freezers, window air conditioners, water coolers, beverage vending machines, ice makers, and dehumidifiers. 

Before the passage of the Clean Air Act, these substances were typically vented into the air when appliances were recycled or disposed of, substantially contributing to ozone depletion.

Compliance Strategies

Refrigerant cylinders can only be recycled by facilities that are licensed to do so. The entire appliance containing the cylinder must be brought to the recycling location, as these cylinders should not be removed by unlicensed personnel. The refrigerant from the appliance is collected and then must be reclaimed for safe use before it can be resold to another customer.

Refrigerant recovery and recycling requires collecting the Freon from the appliance using EPA-certified recovery equipment that uses a specialized vacuum with temperature regulation controls. This system may contain filters so the refrigerant can be recycled. After removal, the refrigerant is placed in a separate, specialized container. The appliance can then be relocated to either a landfill or a scrap metal recycling facility, and the refrigerant can either be recycled for on-site use or sold to an off-site reclaimer who can restore it to industry purity standards for consumer resale.

Steps for Safe Disposal

Those who want to dispose of a cooling appliance must provide the refrigerant recycling facility or landfill owner with a signed statement listing the name and address of the licensed contractor, like Refrigerant Solutions, who removed the coolant and the date removal was performed. Removed refrigerant can only be used by the owner of the original appliance or the removal facility unless it has been reclaimed and purified.