Major household appliances – including air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and dehumidifiers – can contain synthetic refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochloro-fluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that deplete the ozone layer and contribute to the climate crisis. These large, bulky items take up landfill space – but they also contain highly recyclable materials, including metal, plastic, and glass.
How can we safely recycle more appliances and protect the environment? Extended producer responsibility. These programs include incentives to design products that are environmentally responsible – such as manufacturing with safer refrigerants.
In 2014, PSI provided research and policy analysis to New York City, which passed the first-ever law to safely manage refrigerant-containing appliances; since its passage, manufacturers collected more than 90,000 products and saved the city more than $1.3 million. PSI also helped defend New York City’s law against a legal challenge from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, and we contributed to the hydrofluorocarbons emissions reduction law enacted by Washington State in 2021.
In 2021, British Columbia Canada’s EPR appliance program recycled 74% of materials collected, collected 38 percent of full-size refrigerators sold, had 199 collection sites, and obtained 79 percent consumer awareness of the program.
What can you do? Tell your representatives that you support EPR legislation for refrigerant-containing appliances. Then, learn where to recycle or safely dispose of refrigerant-containing appliances in your community.
If you’re a PSI Member or Partner, search our Resource Library for in-depth information on refrigerant-containing appliance stewardship and our Legislation Library for a detailed history of related legislation and programs in the United States.
Because there are no U.S. state EPR laws in place for refrigerant-containing appliances, there is no tracking map on this page. We hope to add one soon!