The Fridge and Freezer Recycling Program worked with ARCA, Inc. to properly disassemble and recycle nearly every part of the refrigerators and freezers. Recycling these appliances helped reduce energy consumption and ensured they wouldn’t be left behind in a local landfill.

Insulation from old refrigerators and freezers as well as the refrigerants (HFC, CFC, or HCFC) that may be found within it, are collected and reclaimed or destroyed in an environmentally sound manner.

The appliances were carefully disassembled so the metals, plastics, glass, foam insulation, PCBs, CFC-12 refrigerant and used oil could be properly recycled, according to the EPA Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program. In one refrigerator alone, about 200 pounds of parts were recycled to be reused to produce new raw materials, such as steel, aluminum, copper and glass.

During the recycling process, capacitors from old refrigerators and freezers are extracted and properly disposed of if they are suspected of containing potentially harmful chemicals like PCBs.

Recyclable materials

• Metal (140 lbs)
• Plastic (20 lbs)
• Glass (3 lbs)
• CFC-11 Foam Insulation (1 lb)
• CFC-12 Refrigerant (0.5 lb)
• Used Oil (May be contaminated) (0.5 lb)
• PCBs (may be contained in capacitor) Small quantities