2011 Annual Report
ii 2011 Annual Report Recover Recycle Reclaim

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program is a 

partnership launched in October 2006 to protect the ozone layer, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, 

and benefit communities. The RAD Program recognizes partners that ensure the disposal of refrigerantcontaining appliances by using the best environmental practices available. The RAD Program invites 

utilities, retailers, manufacturers, local governments, universities, and other qualifying organizations to 

become partners. The RAD Program also invites states to become RAD affiliates to promote the program 

to potential partners and increase environmental benefits for their states and communities.
Overview

Through the RAD Program, partners reduce emissions of ozone-depleting 

substances (ODS) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) by recovering appliance 

foam and refrigerant. The program also leads to other environmental benefits 

by promoting the safe handling of hazardous materials and encouraging the 

recycling of durable materials—which protects human health, saves landfill 

space, and reduces energy consumption.

RAD partners achieve these benefits by collecting old refrigerant-containing appliances 

from consumers and responsibly disposing of them with the help of an appliance recycler. 

The appliance recycler uses best environmental practices to ensure:

•	 Refrigerant is recovered and reclaimed or destroyed;

•	 Insulation foam is recovered and destroyed, or the foam-blowing agent is recovered 

and reclaimed;

•	 Metals, plastic, and glass are recycled; and

•	 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, and used oil are recovered and disposed of 

using best environmental practices.

Some RAD partners also reduce energy consumption by encouraging appliance owners to 

permanently retire old, inefficient units. For example, many utility partners offer cash incentives 

to customers for the pick-up of old, working refrigerators.

The RAD Program’s benefits are both global and local. The avoided emissions of ODS and 

GHGs result in global environmental benefits, while preventing appliance dumping and releases 

of hazardous/toxic materials keeps communities clean.

This annual report presents the RAD Program environmental benefits for 2011.

Appliance Disposal 

Under the RAD Program

Recover Recycle Reclaim 2011 Annual Report 1

Refrigerators

Freezers

Window Air-Conditioners

Dehumidifiers

Retailers

Utilities

Local Governments

Manufacturers

Other

Consumers RAD Partners 

Foam

Refrig

Meta

PCBs

Glass

Merc

Refrigerators

Freezers

Window Air-Conditioners

Dehumidifiers

Retailers

Utilities

Local Governments

Manufacturers

Other

Consumers RAD Partners App

Foam

Refrigerant

Metals, Plastics,

PCBs, Used Oil,

Glass

Mercury

Refrigerators

Freezers

Window Air-Conditioners

Dehumidifiers

Reclamation

Destruction

Recycling

Proper 

Disposal

Reclamation

Destruction

Retailers

Utilities

Local Governments

Manufacturers

Other

Consumers RAD Partners Appliance Recyclers
The Need for the 

RAD Program

EPA estimates 9.4 million refrigerators and freezers, 

6.3 million window air-conditioning units, and nearly 

964 thousand dehumidifiers were disposed of in the 

United States in 2011.

Because these appliances contain ODS, GHGs, hazardous 

substances, and recyclable materials, disposing of them using 

best environmental practices results in significant benefits for the 

environment and human health. Federal law requires that prior to 

disposal or recycling of appliances (1) all refrigerant be recovered, 

and (2) universal waste (e.g., mercury), used oil, and PCBs be 

properly managed and stored. However, the laws do not require 

the recovery of appliance foam, which is also a source of ODS and 

GHG emissions. 

Further, studies estimate that up to 25% of disposed refrigerators/

freezers are resold onto the secondary market, resulting in 

increased energy demand from the continued use of older, less 

efficient models.* RAD helps reduce this energy demand by 

promoting responsible disposal of older appliances. 

*Based on information presented in the following reports:

NMR Group, Inc. and Cadmus Group, Inc. 2011. “The Massachusetts Appliance Turn-in Program--

Secondary Market and Appliance Disposal Report.”

U.S. Department of Energy. 2009. “Refrigerator Market Profile.”

lnnovologie. 2010. “An Evaluation of Energy Trust of Oregon’s Refrigerator Recycling Program.”

Innovologie. 2010. “Final Report: Process and Market Evaluation of Southern California Edison’s 

Appliance Recycling Program 2006-2008.”

2 2011 Annual Report Recover Recycle Reclaim

CFC-11

Foam Insulation

0.9 lb.

Used Oil

(May be contaminated)

0.06 gal.

CFC-12

Refrigerant

0.5 lb.

PCBs

(May be contained 

in capacitor)

Small Quantities

Mercury-containing 

Components

Small Quantities

Metal, Plastic, and Glass

Casing/Refrigerator Shell

139 lbs. Metal

21 lbs. Plastic

3 lbs. Glass
RAD Partners and Affiliates

Forty-four partners and affiliates reported their accomplishments for

the RAD Program from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011:

•	 American Electric Power (OH)

•	 Appliance Smart (Nationwide)

•	 Arizona Public Service (AZ)

•	 Austin Energy (TX)

•	 Avista Utilities (WA)

•	 Baltimore Gas & Electric Company 

(MD)

•	 Best Buy (Nationwide)

•	 Cape Light Compact (MA)

•	 City of Burbank Water & Power (CA)

•	 City of Fort Collins Utilities (CO)

•	 City of Lodi Electric Utility (CA)

•	 City of Palo Alto Utilities (CA)

•	 City of Richland Energy Services (WA)

•	 City of Riverside Public Utilities (CA)

•	 Commonwealth Edison (IL)

•	 Consumers Energy (MI)

•	 Dayton Power & Light Company (OH)

•	 Energy Trust of Oregon (OR)

•	 GE Appliances (Nationwide)

•	 Georgia Power (GA)

•	 Great River Energy (MN)

•	 The Home Depot (Nationwide)

•	 Hoosier Energy (IN)

•	 Idaho Power (ID)

•	 Indiana Michigan Power (IN, MI)

•	 National Grid (MA, NH, NY, RI)

•	 Nebraska Public Power District (NE)

•	 New York State Energy Research & 

Development Authority (NY)

•	 Northern Indiana Public Service 

Company (IN)

•	 NV Energy (NV)

•	 Pacific Gas & Electric Company (CA)

•	 PacifiCorp (CA, ID, OR, UT, WA, WY)

•	 PNM (NM)

•	 Puget Sound Energy (WA)

•	 Sacramento Municipal Utility District 

(CA)

•	 Salt River Project (AZ)

•	 San Diego Gas & Electric (CA)

•	 Sears Home Services (Nationwide)

•	 Silicon Valley Power (CA)

•	 Snohomish Public Utility District No.1 

(WA)

•	 Southern California Edison (CA)

•	 Vectren Energy Delivery (IN, OH)

•	 West Virginia Department of 

Environmental Protection (WV)

•	 WPPI Energy (WI)

Program Growth

RAD has grown significantly over the last 5 years. 

In the last year, the program has expanded from 

34 to 44 partners and affiliates.

Recover Recycle Reclaim 2011 Annual Report 3

25

20

15

10

5

30

35

40

45

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

0

Retail Partners

State Affiliates Utility Partners

Manufacturer Partners

Number of Partners and Affiliates
4 2011 Annual Report Recover Recycle Reclaim

RAD Partner Activities

In 2011, RAD partners worked to advance appliance recycling through information 

exchange and innovative campaigns. 

Idea Exchange and Collaboration Among RAD Partners

RAD continually explores new opportunities to enhance discussion among partners to share best 

practices, obstacles, and lessons learned. On November 9, 2011, EPA held its first RAD Partner Lunch 

at the ENERGY STAR® Products Partner Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. The lunch gave partners 

the opportunity to share RAD successes, challenges, and lessons learned. 

Twelve RAD partners, two appliance recycling 

companies, and EPA representatives attended. The 

dialogue focused on how to enhance partnerships 

between RAD utilities, retailers and manufacturers. 

Specifically, participants discussed:

•	 Ways to improve communication and 

information-sharing;

•	 Opportunities for utilities and retailers to 

better understand each other’s objectives 

and needs when removing appliances from 

the grid; and

•	 Prospects for partnering on consumer recycling 

education campaigns.

Innovative Campaigns

To promote safe appliance disposal through consumer awareness, some RAD partners launched 

innovative campaigns—including use of creative advertising to customers, high-profile recycling contests 

with the chance to win new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, and school and community art exhibits. 

One great example is the Fine Art of Recycling campaign launched by National Grid, a new RAD partner, 

in July 2011. The Providence, Rhode Island launch event was attended by the city’s mayor, Angel Taveras, 

and helped raise customer awareness about appliance recycling through an exhibit of painted refrigerators.

Fridge designed by artist Andrew Solan entitled “I Recycle” 

displayed in downtown Providence for National Grid’s Fine Art 

of Recycling campaign.

“Sears welcomes opportunities like the 

RAD Lunch to exchange ideas and explore 

new options for collaboration with EPA and 

all RAD partners—retailers, manufacturers, 

and utilities alike.

—Gary Fenske, Home Services, 

Sears Holdings Corp.

During our first year as a RAD Partner, 

National Grid worked with prominent local 

artists in Rhode Island to create an exhibit of 

painted refrigerators that were scheduled for 

disposal. The refrigerators were displayed in 

public areas to encourage our customers to 

recycle their old appliances—and helped us 

collect over 6,500 refrigerators/freezers in 

Rhode Island for recycling and safe disposal.

—Timothy F. Horan, President, 

National Grid, Rhode Island
Recover Recycle Reclaim 2011 Annual Report 5

RAD Manufacturer

In 2011, RAD welcomed General Electric (GE) as its first manufacturer partner 

and the country’s first supplier for a fully automated UNTHA Recycling Technology 

(URT) System.

GE Appliances became the first RAD Partner to send used appliances to the URT System at Appliance 

Recycling Centers of America’s (ARCA’s) Advanced Processing (AAP) recycling facility in Pennsylvania. 

The 40-foot tall URT Refrigerator Plant captures refrigerants and blowing agents and recovers and sorts 

materials, such as the plastic liner, aluminum, copper, steel, and insulating foam. ODS gas in foam is 

subsequently recovered during a grinding process under negative pressure, and then condensed to a liquid 

and collected in storage tanks. The degassed foam is compressed into pellets which can be used as fuel 

for other processes. Captured materials and substances are sold by ARCA for reuse, recycled or properly 

destroyed. The AAP facility, located in Philadelphia, receives appliance volume from 12 Northeastern and 

Mid-Atlantic states. According to GE, the high population density and appliance volume in the region, 

coupled with the logistics opportunities with GE Appliances’ customers such as new RAD retail partner, 

The Home Depot, were critical factors in making this advanced recycling project viable.

The AAP recycling facility’s de-manufacturing process and sealed refrigerator recycling system can process 

one refrigerator or freezer per minute (AAP expects to process 150,000 refrigerators and freezers annually), 

recovering the following materials:

•	 CFC, HCFC, HFC, and 

hydrocarbon refrigerants 

and foam blowing agents 

•	 Ferrous and nonferrous 

metals 

•	 PCB-containing 

capacitors

•	 Mercury-containing 

components 

•	 Used oil

•	 Glass

•	 Rubber

•	 Plastics 

•	 Power cords

•	 Universal waste

This fully automated refrigerator recycling technology can recover approximately 95% of the insulating foam 

contained in refrigerators and freezers and is estimated to reduce typical refrigerator landfill waste by 85% 

(by weight). By ensuring a high recovery rate for materials and increasing the volume of units that can be 

processed, this system allows for significant reductions of GHG and ODS emissions. ARCA has provided 

more than 50 green jobs in the process, showing that environmental and economic success can be achieved 

simultaneously. RAD partner and recycler projects like this demonstrate the potential for future growth in 

foam recycling technology throughout the country.

Top: URT System recycles a refrigerator at September 2011 

media event. Bottom: Shawn Garvin, U.S. EPA Region 3 

Administrator recognizes GE, ARCA, and Home Depot for 

their roles in advancing appliance recycling.

General Electric is proud to join EPA’s RAD 

Program and be the nation’s first manufacturer 

to supply volume for North America’s first 

URT recycling system. Appliance recycling 

using advanced environmental technologies 

such as the URT system is an example of 

a market-based system working to deliver 

environmental benefits. EPA’s RAD program 

provides important encouragement for 

advanced recycling efforts such as these. 

—Mark Shirkness, GE Appliance Distribution 

Services, General Electric
Results

In 2011, RAD’s 42 partners collected and processed a total of 

890,473 refrigerant-containing appliances, including: 

•	 802,712 refrigerators

•	 81,630 stand-alone freezers

•	 5,253 window air-conditioning units

•	 878 dehumidifiers

By disposing these units using the best available practices, RAD partners have 

helped protect the ozone layer, reduce GHG emissions, reduce energy use, and 

increase recycling. The environmental benefits are described in the following pages.

Total Number of Refrigerant-Containing Appliances Processed 

by RAD Partners, 2007–2011

6 2011 Annual Report Recover Recycle Reclaim

PG&E was an early adopter of EPA’s Responsible Appliance 

Disposal program. Through the program, we have helped 

customers recycle thousands of old, inefficient refrigerators 

and freezers using the best environmental practices. PG&E is 

proud to provide our customers the significant environmental 

benefits and energy savings that are possible through the 

Responsible Appliance Disposal program.

—Larry Goldstein, Director Customer Energy Solutions, 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company 

Refrigerators awaiting processing at an ARCA appliance recycling 

facility that services RAD partner, Southern California Edison.

700,000

800,000

900,000

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

Units Processed

2007

176,163

2008

505,956

2009

682,298

2010

735,442

Stand-Alone Freezers

Air-Conditioning Units Refrigerators

Dehumidifiers

669,523

2011

890,473
Stratospheric Ozone Benefits

RAD partners not only reduce emissions of ODS by recovering 

and reclaiming or destroying refrigerants, they recover and destroy 

foam-blowing agents, which also deplete the ozone layer.

Partners recover foam from appliances manually or by using an automated system, and then 

destroy the foam-blowing agents. Foam destruction is typically performed using municipal solid 

waste incinerators (e.g., waste-to-energy facilities) or rotary kiln incinerators. On average, partners 

recovered 0.45 lb. of refrigerants and 0.86 lb. of foam-blowing agents from each refrigerator/

freezer. Across all equipment types, RAD partners recovered a total of 179,300 lbs. of CFC 

and HCFC refrigerants, and 765,300 lbs. of CFC and HCFC foam-blowing agents. By avoiding 

the release of these refrigerants and foam-blowing agents into the environment, an estimated 

948,800 lbs. of ODS emissions (330 ODP-weighted metric tons) were avoided during 2011.

Refrigerants and Foam-Blowing Agents Reclaimed or Destroyed by RAD Partners in 2011

Recover Recycle Reclaim 2011 Annual Report 7

Characteristics of Gases Used as 

Refrigerants and Foam-Blowing Agents 

in Appliances Reaching End-of-Life

Compound

Global 

Warming 

Potential 

(GWP)*

Ozone 

Depletion 

Potential 

(ODP)

Predominant 

Use in 

Appliances

CO2 1 0 --

CFC-11 4,750 1 Foam

CFC-12 10,900 1 Refrigerant

HCFC-22 1,810 0.055 Refrigerant

HCFC-141b 725 0.11 Foam

HFC-134a 1,430 0 Refrigerant

HFC-245fa 1,030 0 Foam

Refrigerant Foam-Blowing Agent

Pounds Reclaimed/Destroyed

CFC-12 HCFC-22 HFC-134a CFC-11 HCFC-141b HFC-245fa

Destroyed

Reclaimed

Destroyed

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

* GWP calculations are based on the 100-year direct GWPs provided 

in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment 

Report (2007).
Climate Benefits

CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs contained in appliances all contribute to 

climate change.

These refrigerants and blowing agents have direct global warming potentials (GWPs) up to 

10,900—meaning that they are up to 10,900 times more effective at damaging the climate 

system than CO2 on an equal mass basis. Recovering these compounds, even in small 

quantities, can result in significant climate benefits. The recycling of durable materials from 

appliances prevents indirect GHG emissions associated with the generation of electricity, 

which would have otherwise been needed to produce virgin materials. 

During 2011, RAD partners achieved the reduction of 2.38 million metric tons of carbon dioxide 

equivalent (MMTCO2eq), which is equivalent to approximately 467,200 passenger car emissions 

for one year. Of this, 42% can be attributed to reclaiming or destroying refrigerants, 51% to 

reclaiming or destroying foam-blowing agents, and 7% to recycling durable materials. Additional 

climate benefits are realized through energy savings detailed on the next page.

GHG Emissions Avoided through Proper Appliance Disposal by RAD Partners

8 2011 Annual Report Recover Recycle Reclaim

In 2011, RAD partners achieved 

climate benefits equivalent to:

467,200 passenger cars 

NOT driven for one year

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

0

Durable Goods Recycling Foam Recovery Refrigerant Recovery

GHG Emissions Avoided (MMTCO2eq)

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

610,300

1,256,400

1,387,000 1,391,500

2,382,400

Source: EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator. Available at 

www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html.

* This does not include GHG emissions reductions associated with early 

appliance retirement. 
Recover Recycle Reclaim 2011 Annual Report 9

Energy Savings

For utilities, appliance recycling programs can be an important component 

of a successful demand side management program. 

Replacing old, inefficient appliances with new ones reduces the amount of electricity needed to 

power them and, therefore, the amount of indirect GHG emissions released. In 2011, appliance 

recycling programs operated by the 37 RAD utility partners covered a territory of 30.7 million 

households across 26 states, representing approximately 26% of U.S. households. In total, RAD 

utility partners reduced energy use by more than 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) by removing old 

refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, window air-conditioning units, and dehumidifiers from the grid. 

These energy savings translate to climate benefits of approximately 2.28 MMTCO2eq and are 

estimated to have saved consumers $424 million.

RAD Utility Partners Across the United States

•	 On average, refrigerators collected by RAD 

utility partners in 2011 were over 20 years old.

•	 Replacing an inefficient, approximately 

20-year-old refrigerator with one that is 

ENERGY STAR® qualified will save a household 

roughly 550 kWh/year—or about $65/year.*

•	 If a secondary refrigerator (e.g., in a 

basement or garage) is removed and not 

replaced, individual households can save over 

1,000 kWh/year, or roughly $115/year.* 

* Actual energy and costs savings will vary by equipment model 

and region. These estimates are conservative and are based 

on national averages (Energy Star 2012 Databook).

AK

HI

WA

MT

OR

CA

NV

ID

UT

AZ NM

TX

OK

KS

NE

CO

WY

ND

SD

MN

IA

MO

AR

LA

MI AL

FL

GA

SC

NC

TN

KY

IL IN

WI

MI

OH

WV

MD

VA

PA

NY

VT

ME

NH

MA

CT RI

NJ

DE

States with Participating Utilities

States without Participating Utilities
10 2011 Annual Report Recover Recycle Reclaim

Environmental Benefits

for Communities

In 2011, RAD partners further protected the 

environment by keeping recyclable materials out 

of landfills and ensuring the proper handling of 

hazardous waste, as shown below.

Materials prevented from going to a landfill:

•	 105.7 million lbs. of ferrous metals

•	 17.5 million lbs. of non-ferrous metals

•	 18.7 million lbs. of plastic

•	 2.6 million lbs. of glass

Toxic or hazardous materials properly handled:

•	 0.06 million gal. of used oil

•	 48,400 PCB-containing capacitors

•	 44,400 mercury-containing components

If released into the environment, used oil can leak into groundwater 

and major waterways and pollute drinking water sources. In addition 

to used oil, appliances may contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals—

namely PCBs from capacitors and mercury from thermostatic switches. 

PCBs are regulated by EPA as toxic substances; they may cause cancer 

and liver damage and can have negative impacts on the neurological 

development of children, the human reproductive system, the immune 

system, and the endocrine system. Mercury is toxic and causes a variety 

of adverse health effects, including tremors, headaches, respiratory failure, 

reproductive and developmental abnormalities, and potentially, cancers.

Students learn about the benefits of recycling refrigerator components during a school field trip to a 

JACO Environmental appliance recycling facility that services RAD partner, NV Energy.
Increasing Program Benefits Over Time

In 2007, nine RAD partners recovered 63,400 lbs. of refrigerants and 

147,700 lbs. of foam-blowing agents. As of 2011, the program has 

expanded to 42 partners and two state affiliates, which have recovered 

405,500 lbs. of refrigerant and 771,300 lbs. of foam-blowing agent. 

As the program matures, the relative number of units collected with CFC-based refrigerant and 

foam-blowing agent is decreasing, while the number with HFC refrigerant and HCFC-based 

foam-blowing agent is increasing.

Refrigerants and Foam-Blowing Agents Recovered by RAD Partners, 2007–2011

Recover Recycle Reclaim 2011 Annual Report 11

In 2011, PacifiCorp ran a campaign to promote 

responsible appliance disposal, involving special 

mailers and other marketing materials sent to our 

customers. Our participation in the RAD Program 

has benefitted our outreach efforts by assuring 

our customers that their old appliances are being 

recycled according to the best environmental 

practices recognized by EPA.

—Greg Stiles, Program Manager, PacifiCorp

500,000

600,000

700,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009

HFC-134a HCFC-22 CFC-12 HFC-245fa HCFC-141b CFC-11

Pounds Reclaimed/Destroyed 

200 5,500

157,600

18,200

62,800

139,300

197,100

8,400 168,500

19,200

55,500

2010

185,400

88,100

2011

531,400

233,800

6,100

155,000 1,400

181,300

2010

5,900

139,200

206,700

2011

9,400

169,900

226,200

57,800

Refrigerant Foam-Blowing Agent

800,000
12 2011 Annual Report Recover Recycle Reclaim

RAD Partners and Affiliates

Utilities, Retailers, and Manufacturers

State Affiliates
Recover Recycle Reclaim 2011 Annual Report 13

Working Toward a Safer Tomorrow

CFC and HCFC refrigerants and foams contained in older appliances 

can damage the ozone layer and climate system if not properly recovered 

at equipment disposal.

Global production of new appliances is moving away from the use of CFCs and HCFCs. 

However, because appliances can last a long time, older appliances being retired today 

still contain CFCs and HCFCs. Newer units contain HFC refrigerants and foam-blowing 

agents that, while non-ozone-depleting, have high global warming potentials. If not 

properly handled at end-of-life, emissions from these HFC units can be damaging to 

the climate system. As RAD partners work to properly recycle appliances using best 

environmental practices, the environmental benefits will continue for years to come. 

Fortunately, new technologies and growing capacity for recovering refrigerants and 

foams from appliances are increasing the ability to capture harmful substances at 

appliance disposal sites nationwide. The RAD Program, its partners, and innovative 

recyclers have been critical in this progress. Together, we will continue to build 

momentum and keep working towards a safer tomorrow.

To learn more, visit:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Stratospheric Protection Division

www.epa.gov/Ozone/partnerships/rad

Refrigerator door design by McNeil High School; winner of 

Austin Energy’s high school art contest to increase awareness 

of responsible appliance disposal. 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Stratospheric Protection Division (6205J)

EPA-430-K-12-003

www.epa.gov/Ozone/partnerships/rad

September 2012

Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper 

with a minimum 50% post-consumer waste 

using vegetable-based inks.