Q: I keep hearing that we should replace our fridge with an Energy Star fridge. My questions are, what do you do with the old one?
Which is less green: using a non-energy star fridge or an energy star fridge you had to throw a fridge away to accommodate? If you give it to someone else, the non-energy star fridge is still out there sucking up energy. If you toss it, it's in a landfill.
Is there a way to responsibly recycle appliances?
- Posted by Becky
I think we'll tackle your questions one at a time. First, recycling appliances: Yes, thankfully, there are ways to responsibly recycle appliances. Actually, you're in luck, because AT: Chicago just posted yesterday about Earth 911, a great recycling resource. You can read that post here.
In general, your appliance recycling options depend on where you live. However, companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK (who promise to make every effort to recycle what they haul away) and JACO Environmental are popping up all over the place.
Recycling appliances isn't as easy as tossing a tin can into a blue bin; but, with a little research, it's definitely possible.
Now, for your second question: Which is less green, using that energy sucking refrigerator you already have, or tossing it/recycling it and buying an Energy Star replacement? I think we'll throw that one out for comments.
What do you think?
Image: Allsorts
Originally published 2007-08-01 - CB
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
If you're appliances aren't too old, habitat for humanity resource will take them.
view david @ justveggingout.com's profile
It depends on how old the appliance is. If it is a stove that is 10 years old, it is worth keeping, because while not as efficient as new stoves, you use it only while cooking. Therfore energy wasted in use is probably less than the energy used to make a new stove.
However, an old fridge wastes a huge amount of energy, and may leak refrigerant (freon). It may be worth the energy consumed in making a new fridge to save daily use of energy operating the fridge. Dusting the coils on the back of an old fridge improves efficiency, as well as regular defrosts.
view michael d bailey's profile
you can also go on energystar.gov to see what the savings-to-investment ratio would be for various appliances, including refrigerators. if you know the cost of a new unit, it's EER (energy efficiency rating), the age of the old unit, then you usually figure out what the savings to cost will be.
view valerie neng's profile
New fridges take resources to make, too. Try to factor that into the calculations of purchasing a new one - sometimes it's better to stick with the one you already have.
view nycflatcats's profile
If your existing refrigerator is less than 10 years old, it may already be Energy Star. The program was expanded to household appliances in the late 1990s -- if you check out the Refrigerators & Freezers page, you'll see comparisons between current Energy Star-compliant models and fridges from the early 1990s.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
Well obviously there are people that are not yet aware of responsible recycling, having difficulties with recycling their old appliances is a negative factor that makes them reconsider bying new green appliancess... this is a gap that shouldn't exist and people need to be informed about their options...
Gordman at Whirlpool parts
view gordman's profile
Many cities will pick up your old refrigerator and recycle it - in some cases, they'll even pay you (around $50).
Lowe's will pick up and recycle your old appliances when they deliver your new one, if you buy through them.
I'm not sure how the other retail outlets handle it, but your city/county is probably the best place to try first.
And there's always re-using an old refrigerator as an "armoire" if you feel like tackling a fun project, need storage, and have the right space for it.
view mysoultokeep's profile