As of the 1st January 2002 all Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) including CFC’s, must be removed from refrigeration equipment before recycling. This includes the ODS within the cooling system and the insulating foam inside the walls and doors. Most manufacturers stopped using CFCs in 1994, but the alternative proved to be similarly environmentally damaging HCFCs for several years after. The average lifespan of a domestic fridge is ten to fifteen years which means that even today, most fridges being disposed of contain at least one kind of ODS.

How to know If your fridge contains CFCs of HCFCs?

If you purchased your fridge new then the easiest way to tell whether your fridge contains ozone depleting substances (ODS) is by the date of manufacture. if your fridge was made before 2000 it probably has either CFCs or HCFCs somewhere within its insulating foam or refrigerant. Fridges manufactured before 1994 used CFCs as a refrigerant and as also as a blowing agent in the fridges insulating foam. Fridges produced from 1994 to the late 1990s used HCFCs as a foam blowing agent and HFC was used as the refrigerant.

Another way of identifying (ODS) is from your appliances rating. Take a look on the back of your fridge and you will find a label or plate that will state what type of refrigerant has been used. If it is R12 or R134a it is likely that either or both of the refrigerant and insulating foam will need disposal under EC regulation 2037/2000. If your fridge was manufactured after 2000 it is likely that there are no ozone depleting substances within it and it can be disposed of freely.

Both CFCs refrigerant and HCFCs foam blowing agents need to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way and both fall within the new 2002 regulations for fridge recycling.

The All Clear Company can collect and recycle all refrigeration units conforming with EC regulation 2037/2000.

If you have any questions please call 0800 169 3633 or e-mail info@theallclearcompany.co.uk