REFRIGERATOR RECYCLING
RAD: RESPONSIBLE APPLIANCE DISPOSAL
GE APPLIANCES PRODUCT RECYCLING PROGRAM
Approximately eleven million refrigerators are disposed of annually in the U.S., and only a fraction has the insulating foam in their walls and doors recycled. While 90 percent of used refrigerators in the U.S. are shredded for their metal, the remaining foam and other materials are typically crushed — releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere — and sent to a landfill.
Through the EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal Program, GE Appliances is helping to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and the amount of waste entering our landfills.
HOW DO I RECYCLE MY APPLIANCE THE RAD WAY?
If you live in one of the following states and purchase a new energy efficient refrigerator from a dealer participating in the GE Appliances Product Recycling Program, your older refrigerator will be taken away to be recycled the RAD way!
PARTICIPATING DEALERS
Be sure to check with your local dealer to see if your ZIP code is covered in the store's delivery program.
STATES WITH PARTICIPATING DEALERS
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Virginia
NOT A RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE STATES ABOVE?
If you are still interested in recycling your refrigerator and do not live in one of the states listed above or the District of Columbia, visit the EPA's web site to learn how to safely recycle your appliance.
HOW RAD WORKS
VS.
STEP #1
REFRIGERATOR PICK-UP
The used refrigerator is picked up and sent to a dedicated recycling center.
STEP #2
REMOVE REFRIGERANTS
Refrigerants, regulated and recyclable materials and substances are removed, reducing approximately 85% of the weight of typical refrigerator waste going to a landfill.
STEP #3
REMOVE GREENHOUSE GASES
The greenhouse gases from the foam are captured in a sealed system.
STEP #4
RECYCLE
The remaining ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastics are separated for recycling.
ABOUT RAD
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program partners with manufacturers to:
- Dispose of old, inefficient refrigerated appliances using the best environmental practices available
- Reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases
- Ensure that hazardous materials, such as mercury, other chemicals, and used oil, are not released into the environment