Room air conditioners (as well as, dehumidifiers, freezers and fridges) contain the coolant, Freon, and other chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), a family of man-made chemicals which are stable, nonflammable and non-corrosive. But when released into the air, CFC's drift into the upper atmosphere and destroy the ozone layer that protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Because of their chemical stability, it can take 100 to 150 years for CFC's to break down. Because of the threat to the environment theses gases cannot be vented or evaporated into the air since they damage the ozone layer. CFC's must be recycled by an approved recycler to make sure this is done correctly.
Recovered CFC gas can be used in current air conditioning units which require CFC gas. The value of recovered CFC gas is entirely dependent on the purity of the used gas and the current market demand.
Once the gas is removed from the unit the steel, other metals, and selected parts can be recycled.
Residents can contact an appliance dealer to remove the Freon from the appliances who will then issue a receipt to provide to for pickup of the appliance.
Municipalities and private haulers will not collect appliances containing Freon unless a receipt is presented that the Freon was removed.
Contact your local public works office for more details.
If the air conditioner is in working condition
- Give it away
- List it for sale, someone else might be able to use it
