Recycling Appliances

I wanted to hit a topic close to our hearts here at ArchAngel and why we are a Green Company... recycling appliances. Think about it! You order a fancy new stove.... with all the newest gadgets and widgets but what do you do with you old stove? Unless you are like my wife Kimberly and paint folk art, the only option is to throw it away.... She can turn anything into art, but I doubt your neighbors really want to see a bunch of appliances lying around.... so, What are you to do?

I thought about writing myself about this subject but found a wonderful website that I would like to recommend. The American Council for An Energy-Efficient Economy has a wonderful page which completely explains this subject and has great ideas for what to do with your old appliances. They also explain what happens to our environment when we do not correctly dispose of them.... I truly could not have explained these items better myself. This is easy reading and they have good tips.

Personally, I would like to suggest that you consider having your old appliances fixed and continue using them. The older appliances were made to last for a long time anyways. You can repaint them easily and spruce them up as well as buy new faceplates and covers for them. Got an old dishwasher? Buy a new faceplate. Voila! Shiny new dishwasher... Anyways, here is the information below to answer our latest question.... you can also read it yourself at

http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/disposal.htm

I'm not sure if the links contained within the paragraphs will still work once on my various blogs.... so go to their page if they don't. I apologize, I'm an appliance expert, not a computer expert! ;)

Food for thought.....

ArchAngel

Question: How do I recycle my old appliances?

Appliance Recycling and Disposal

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Household appliances, like all consumer goods, require energy and resources in their creation, operation, and disposal. Environmental consequences after disposal may include the introduction of greenhouse gases, heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the environment. Refrigerators, air conditioners, electronics, and fluorescent lighting products pose particular risks to the environment that should be kept in check; however, consumers should minimize the impact of all disposed goods by recycling as much of the durable materials as possible (metals, plastics, glass) and by making themselves aware of and recovering any harmful substances involved. This reduces the impact of landfill waste as well as further mining of increasingly scarce resources.

Cooling equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and room air conditioners involve refrigerants and insulating foams that release ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases once in a landfill. Older appliances may also contain PCBs or mercury. Newer products (made within the past 10 years) do not contain these toxic materials and use refrigerants and foam blowing agents that are less harmful to the ozone layer, but they still contribute greenhouse gas emissions. Federal law requires the removal and proper disposal of refrigerants but not foam products.

Most municipalities will pick up your old refrigerator, freezer or air conditioner with the bulk trash pick-up (you must call the city to arrange a pick-up). By law, the city must must dispose of refrigerants, PCBs and mercury properly. But first, contact your utility and read below to see if there is a rebate or bounty program in your area.

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Electronics, most notably televisions and computer monitors, involve a variety of recyclable and toxic materials, including plastics, glass, steel, gold, lead, mercury, cadmium beryllium, nickel, zinc, and brominated flame retardants, many of which can be recaptured and used again.

Several major electronics manufacturers have programs in place to accept their old hardware, usually as a trade-in upon purchase of a new unit. They are joined by retail stores, including Staples, Best Buy, Office Depot and Wal-Mart, who have programs to collect appliances such as computers, monitors, laptops, printers, faxes and all-in-ones for recycling in accordance with environmental laws.

Find a local e-waste recycling or donation program by visiting EPA's eCycling page.

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Lighting equipment is generally not treated as toxic waste, but fluorescent lamps, including CFLs, are an exception because they contain trace amounts of mercury. Although not regulated at the federal level, several states ban the disposal of CFLs in household trash.

Many towns and cities offer recycling opportunities for CFLs at local recycling centers or transfer stations. State requirements and recycling opportunities vary. To find out what programs are available in your state or region, go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling. For more information about the risks of CFLs, read the ENERGY STAR Fact Sheet (PDF)

If you have a fluorescent fixture in your basement or workroom that was manufacturered before 1979, the ballast may contain PCBs that must be disposed of responsibly under federal law. Go to www.lamprecycle.org for list of national lamp and ballast recyclers.

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Can I get a rebate for trading in my old appliance?

Your utility may even pay you to get rid of inefficient appliances. These programs usually involve an incentive on the order of $35 for the collection of old units, either in the form of cash or a rebate towards an ENERGY STAR replacement. A third party contractor that works with the utility will either come to you and pick up the appliance, or hold a turn-in event where you drop it of. Existing programs predominantly target old refrigerators; a few programs also offer a rebate for room air conditioners. Contractors ensure that the old units are disposed of properly.

Some companies that run bounty programs are ARCA Inc., JACO Environmental, and CSG. To bring a bounty program to your community, or for more information on bounty programs, try contacting your electricity provider, your local air protection government official, or the aforementioned companies.