PPL Electric Utilities Launches Refrigerator, Freezer Recycling Program

PPL Electric Utilities on Thursday launched its new refrigerator and freezer recycling program with the pickup of the first unit at the home of Mary Ann Smeltz.

For Smeltz and thousands of other PPL Electric Utilities customers, turning in older, energy-wasting refrigerators and freezers is a great way to save money as well as help save the environment by using less electricity and properly disposing of the toxic materials found in old fridges.

Under this new program, PPL Electric Utilities’ customers can turn in their old refrigerator or freezer and receive a $35 incentive and free removal of their old unit. Plus, customers can save up to $150 a year on their electric bill by removing an old, inefficient refrigerator or freezer.

Refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1990 consume three times more electricity than newer appliances, and many Pennsylvania homes have those old appliances in their garages or basement.

It is estimated that second refrigerators are found in 21 percent of homes, and separate freezers are also found in 21 percent of homes and nearly 40 percent of all refrigerators and more than 55 percent of the freezers are 10 years or older.

By recycling just 5,000 of these units in the PPL Electric Utilities’ service territory, customers can save about $5 million in lifetime energy costs.

“The removal and recycling of extra, inefficient refrigerators or freezers is a great way for customers to save money and help protect the environment,” said Tom Stathos, PPL Electric Utilities’ director of Customer Programs and Services.

PPL Electric Utilities’ program vendor, JACO Environmental, removes the appliances from residents’ homes at no charge to the homeowner. JACO then transports the units to its recycling facility where they are dismantled and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

About 95 percent of each unit is recycled, including metals, plastic, oils and the foam insulation. The foam removed from the appliances contains chlorofluorocarbon gases which, if improperly disposed of, can have harmful effects on the ozone layer. JACO removes and bags the foam and then has it incinerated, using the heat generated during incineration to create new energy.

“There are many ways for people to reduce their energy consumption and impact on the environment,” said Michael Dunham, director of energy and environmental programs for JACO.

“Recycling a refrigerator ranks near the top. It works for the planet, it works for your wallet and it works for conserving our precious resources.”

Since 2001, federal standards require new refrigerators and freezers to consume less energy.

Current models use about 450 kilowatt-hours annually, compared with older units that burn through an average of 1,500 kilowatt-hours per year.

To schedule the pickup of an old refrigerator or freezer for recycling, PPL Electric Utilities’ customers can call 1-877-270-3522 or visit www.pplelectric.com/recycle. Customers will receive a check for $35 four to six weeks after collection of the appliance.

The program is limited to the removal of two units per household and is available to residential electric customers. Appliances to be recycled must be in working order with an inside measurement of 10 cubic feet or more.

JACO Environmental has contracts with more than 60 utilities in 27 states and the company operates 17 recycling centers. JACO was awarded the Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2004 and a Best of the Best Award in 2007 by the EPA on the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. For more information, visit the JACO website.