Why bother about refrigerator recycling?

Our research in Brazil indicates that refrigerators and freezers, which contain a significant amount of environmentally harmful substances, contribute to the Brazilian waste stream with more than 200.000.000 kg of disposed obsolete appliances every year.

As a consequence of a widespread lack of knowledge about inappropriate disposal practices in Brazil, considerable toxic waste from refrigerators and freezers enter the ecosystem. Inadequate disposal of mercury switches contained in old appliances puts unborn children at risk and affects a woman’s fetus. The release of refrigerant gases in Brazil during irresponsible end-of-life management of cooling and freezing equipment causes tremendous harm to the earth ozone layer and accelerates global warming with a greenhouse gas contribution more powerful than all automobile emissions in Brazil.

Proper material recycling and reuse contributes to the preservation of resources. With modern separation technologies and professional material management, recycling rates above 90% can be achieved for refrigerators and freezers, noticeably reducing the need for landfill space.