Public Servant Lifestyle

New environment rules affect the way we dispose of three million domestic refrigeration units - fridges, fridge-freezers and freezers - in the UK each year. Discarded fridges need to have had to have the insulation foam removed, before the fridge can be recycled or scrapped, to prevent the release of CFCs into the environment.

European Regulations

The new European regulation affects the supply and use of all ozone depleting substances. These substances are mainly used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, foam blowing, as solvents, and in fire fighting. The substances covered include: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

Refrigerants may be found in the circulating coolant system of a fridge. In addition, they may have been used as a blowing agent, for the polyurethane foam used to insulate the unit.

The age of the appliance is (in general) an important determinant if a fridge/freezer contains ozone depleting substances:

Prior to 1994, almost all appliances used CFCs as both refrigerant (CFC R12) and as foam blowing agent (CFC R11)

After 1994, these were mainly replaced with HFC as refrigerant (R134a) and HCFC foam blowing agent (R141b or R142b/R22)

Modern fridges are generally manufactured using HFC (R134a) or hydrocarbon (HC600a) refrigerants and hydrocarbon blowing agents

Most fridges are also marked with an 'appliance rating plate' - a metal plate or sticky label, which is found on the back of the appliance. The plate contains information about the appliance, for example model and serial number. In most cases, it will also state what refrigerant was used in the appliance

Fridges that are marked with R12, or R134a, on the plate will most probably have CFC or HCFC in the insulation foam, and should be treated accordingly, unless there is evidence to suggest otherwise

"There is no need for householders to worry about disposing of their old fridge," said environment minister Michael Meacher. "If a retailer cannot be found, who will take an old fridge away, local authorities will accept the fridge at the civic amenity site, free of charge. Local authorities will also collect from homes, but they can charge to cover the cost of collection."

More information available in Home Electric, In Your Kitchen