What Happens When You Recycle Your Fridge?

Though recycling computers and other large electronics can be tedious and it may seem easier to simply throw your unwanted appliances into the trash, taking the time to recycle is well worth it. Recycling benefits the planet by reducing waste-- and the waste in electronics and appliances is especially harmful.

One great example of how the benefits of recycling far outweigh any inconveniences is the process of recycling refrigerators. From 1800Recycling, here's what recycling a refrigerator looks like:

1. The refrigerator unit is cataloged by recording the unit number and utility information.

2. A core sample is conducted by drilling a 1-inch hole on the unit’s side to detect the type of insulation present (most likely foam).

3. The Freon, a liquid or gaseous fluorocarbon used as a refrigerant, is removed, along with the oils from the compressor. These oils are usually heated to distill the refrigerant, which is then shipped to a qualified facility that will handle with care. Such oils can be reused in some industrial equipment.

4. Next, the capacitors that are suspected of containing pollutants are removed and shipped for destruction by a registered hazardous waste incinerator.

5. The interior shelves, drawers and storage containers are removed. These are then harvested for tempered glass, plastic and metal.

6. The chassis, or frame, is cut into pieces. The metal, plastic and foam are harvested and separated.

7. The foam is sealed inside bags, and then shipped off to an incinerator.

As complicated as that is, the recycling facility takes care of all of it-- all you have to do is have your refrigerator taken or picked up by a registered recycling business, and in many cases, customers will receive some form of rebate. Compared to tossing your electronics in the landfill, recycling computers, appliances, and other electrical devices is incredibly beneficial to the earth and to society.

The environmental benefits of recycling your refrigerator include the proper disposal of oils and foam, the proper recycling of steel and aluminum and the avoidance of sending materials like foam, glass and plastic to landfills, where they will sit for years — and seriously harm the planet. By recycling, the recycled metals, plastics and glass can then be reused to create computers, nails, phones, cans and even concrete mixtures.