In a ‘green conscious’ day and age, recycling is a popular task many people are involved in. From sorting aluminum cans to breaking down cardboard boxes, recycling helps our environment and landfills. While opting for reusable bags instead of plastic is an easy recycling habit to acquire, what about major home appliances? How are you supposed to haul away your old hunks of metal? With the increased purchases of new energy efficient refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners and so forth, a common problem results—and the topic of recycling old appliances is not always prevalent, well unless it’s Earth Day (fyi Earth day is April 22nd, 2013).
The American Electric Power Co. gives an impressive list of environmental and energy facts regarding refrigerators or freezers. By recycling your old appliances instead of tossing them into a landfill, each recycling act makes a difference in our environment. Here are a few things to consider:
- A 20-year old refrigerator or freezer consumes up to 1,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually.
- A new refrigerator or freezer consumes between 400–500 kWh annually.
- Recycling 25,000 refrigerators will result in 75,000 lbs. of aluminum that could yield nearly 2.1 million aluminum cans.
- The avoidance of carbon dioxide emissions as a result of recycling 25,000 refrigerators is equal to removing 50,000 cars from the road for a year.
- Recycling 25,000 refrigerators will result in the destruction of 250,000 lbs. of foam insulation rather than the material going into landfills. This would eliminate a landfill more than 10 ft. deep covering an entire football field.
GreenYour gives a handful of ideas on how to recycle your old appliances. Before you purchase a new dishwasher or appliance, ask the retailer if they offer a recycling program. Some companies offer such a program that included hauling away your old unusable appliance. If this isn’t an option, consider donating your used and working appliances to charity such as the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity. Not only are you recycling, but you are also helping out another person and the environment. If your local charities are unable to take your used appliances, snap a few pictures of your fridge and post a free ad on Craigslist or even Freecycle. Many people are looking to refurbish and repair appliances and are even willing to come to you to haul it away. If the above suggestions are not a solution for you, you can always recycle your old appliances at your local recycling center. However, it is important to following the rules and regulations of proper disposal for your area; you can find this information at the National Recycling Coalition. While diverse areas have different regulations, a site such as Earth 911 offers a directory of companies and facilities for recycling your non-useable appliances. When it’s time to replace your appliance, research the proper disposal methods by preplanning what is best for you and your family’s needs. Remember, you do have endless opportunities to practice the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Whether you choose to donate, post an ad, or send your unusable appliance to a recycling facility, you are making a difference in your community and environment for a better planet. Read More: Recycle Used Appliances via GreenYour Photo Credit: Steven Snodgrass via Flickr
