Waste and Recycling: Disposal of Waste Refrigeration Equipment
Advice to Customers / Householders
If you have to dispose of an old fridge or freezer you should ensure it is done safely to prevent accidents or harm to the environment.
How to dispose of old fridges and freezers:
- If you are a householder your waste collection authority (District,
Borough or Unitary Council) is obliged to provide a collection service
for bulky items, although they can charge a collection fee. Alternatively,
you can take your appliance to your local civic amenity site for disposal
free-of-charge. They will ensure that your old appliance is disposed
of safely;
You can find the telephone number of your local District, Borough or Unitary Council in your local Telephone Directory
- Help your local authority by ensuring that it is emptied of food-stuffs and cleaned before you send it for disposal;
- If local traders offer to collect and dispose of your appliance you can help the environment by checking that they intend to dispose of it in accordance with the law. If you are unsure, contact your local office of the Environment Agency (tel: 08459 333111) or your Council;
- In some areas, local traders or charities may accept appliances if they are in good working order - again check in your local Telephone Directory for details.
Remember fly-tipping is illegal & dumped refrigerators and freezers pose a real hazard to small children or pets who may become harmed or trapped inside.
What is the law?
From 1 January 2002 ozone depleting substances (ODS) (including CFCs and HCFCs1) must be removed from refrigeration equipment before it is scrapped. This includes ODS in the cooling system of the refrigerator and the insulating foam inside the walls and door. It is your local authority's responsibility to ensure that all ODS are removed from your fridge or freezer before disposal.2
Further information can be found on the Defra web-site at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/fridges/faq.htm
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Waste Policy Division
Zone 7/G15
Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6DE
Email: waste.policy@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7944 6422/4
NOTE: the printed leaflet containing the above information is also available in Adobe Acrobat format (50kb) for downloading. The Adobe Acrobat Reader can be freely downloaded. Viewers with visual difficulties may find it useful to investigate services provided to improve the accessibility of Acrobat documents -- http://access.adobe.com
Page published 5 December
2001;
Page last modified
10 August, 2002