REFRIGERANT RECLAMATION AND DISPOSAL
BEST PRACTICES |
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Think twice about cutting the line.
When disposing of or recycling old refrigeration systems, it is imperative that you follow best practices for refrigerant containment and destruction. The extent to which your company follows proper procedure is integral in making sure refrigerant is captured, and eventually recycled or destroyed professionally.
Below is comprehensive information about the disposal process, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
In the status quo established by the EPA's Clean Air Act (CAA) (Section 108), legal regulations establish the following rules:
These rules address larger refrigeration systems, including chillers, industrial refrigeration equipment (with the exception of medical research equipment), commercial refrigeration equipment (like what you'd see in a supermarket), and cold storage equipment. Further exceptions to these rules are noted under rule #3.
When disposing of or recycling old refrigeration systems, it is imperative that you follow best practices for refrigerant containment and destruction. The extent to which your company follows proper procedure is integral in making sure refrigerant is captured, and eventually recycled or destroyed professionally.
Below is comprehensive information about the disposal process, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
In the status quo established by the EPA's Clean Air Act (CAA) (Section 108), legal regulations establish the following rules:
These rules address larger refrigeration systems, including chillers, industrial refrigeration equipment (with the exception of medical research equipment), commercial refrigeration equipment (like what you'd see in a supermarket), and cold storage equipment. Further exceptions to these rules are noted under rule #3.
- Intentionally venting refrigerants into the atmosphere when disposing of a refrigeration system is prohibited
- De minimis quantities of refrigerant released into the atmosphere through good faith reclamation efforts is not subject to this provision (established by Section 608 CAA)
- Refrigerants are evacuated from the system and recovered using certified equipment
- Technicians must be certified and present when disposing of refrigeration and AC equipment
- This provision actually states that technicians are not required to deal with "small" appliances. Since the world of refrigerants focuses on large systems (like supermarket chillers), a small appliance is considered by the EPA as "any appliance that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically (airtight) sealed in a factory with five pounds or less of HFC refrigerant."
- Refrigerators and freezers (designed for home, commercial, or consumer use)
- Medical or industrial research refrigeration equipment
- Room air conditioners (including window air conditioners and packaged terminal air heat pumps)
- Under-the-counter ice makers
- Vending machines
- Drinking water coolers
- Before certified technicians can get to work, their equipment also must be certified by the EPA.
- This provision actually states that technicians are not required to deal with "small" appliances. Since the world of refrigerants focuses on large systems (like supermarket chillers), a small appliance is considered by the EPA as "any appliance that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically (airtight) sealed in a factory with five pounds or less of HFC refrigerant."
- Safe reclamation and disposal of refrigerants in small appliances.
- Detailed record-keeping of the refrigerant reclamation process to make sure that proper equipment is used and procedure is followed.
- Technicians follow procedures in sending refrigerants to a destruction facility
- Fact: You can actually earn money by selling HFC refrigerant to an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer as an incentive.
REFRIGERANT RECLAIMERS |
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You can find a list of certified HFC reclaimers for the United States and its territories here: www.epa.gov/section608/epa-certified-refrigerant-reclaimers
EPA-certified New York State reclaimers are listed below:
Rapid Recovery Rochester is a refrigerant recovery company based out of Rochester, New York. Although they do not appear on the EPA website (which lists the largest reclaimers in the country), they are a reputable company and located far closer than the other two. Visit their website here: www.raprec.com/rochester-new-york-refrigerant-recovery/
EPA-certified New York State reclaimers are listed below:
Rapid Recovery Rochester is a refrigerant recovery company based out of Rochester, New York. Although they do not appear on the EPA website (which lists the largest reclaimers in the country), they are a reputable company and located far closer than the other two. Visit their website here: www.raprec.com/rochester-new-york-refrigerant-recovery/
Hudson Technologies Company
One Blue Hill Plaza
Pearl River, NY 10965
Owner: Stephen Mandracchia
(800) 953-2244
(845) 512-6070 (Fax)
One Blue Hill Plaza
Pearl River, NY 10965
Owner: Stephen Mandracchia
(800) 953-2244
(845) 512-6070 (Fax)
Consolidated Refrigerant Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 9
Marlboro, NY 12542
Owner: James J. Sweetman
(845) 741-6464
P.O. Box 9
Marlboro, NY 12542
Owner: James J. Sweetman
(845) 741-6464