RAD Celebrates 50 Partners and
Six Years of Achievement
Responsible Appliance
L Disposal Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Responsible Appliance Disposal
(RAD) Program in October 2006 as a voluntary partnership program to protect the ozone layer and
climate system. In its first year, RAD partnered with nine utilities. Six years later, RAD has grown to
include 50 partners: 43 utilities; 4 retailers; 1 manufacturer; and two state affiliates. Utility partners
represent 26 states across the country. From 2007-2011, RAD partners have helped recycle nearly
three million appliances.
How It Works
Through the RAD Program, partners collect old
refrigerant-containing appliances (refrigerators, freezers,
window air-conditioning units, and dehumidifiers) from
consumers and responsibly dispose of them with the help
of an appliance recycler. The appliance recycler uses best
environmental practices to ensure that:
• Refrigerant is recovered and reclaimed or destroyed;
• Insulation foam/blowing agent is recovered and
destroyed or reclaimed;
• Metals, plastic, and glass are recycled; and
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, and used
oil are recovered and disposed of properly.
RAD Program Growth
1
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2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Manufacturer Partners
State Affiliates
• Retail Partners
• Utility Partners
Partners strive to go above and beyond the regulatory
requirements under the Clean Air Act through recovery and management of insulation foam. The substance that expands
the insulation foam, i.e., the blowing agent, is typically a substance that can harm the ozone layer and/or climate system
if not properly handled at the appliance's end-of-life. RAD partners and recyclers have three main approaches for handling
appliance foam to achieve greater environmental benefits: manual, semi-automated, and fully automated. The automated
processes include recovery of the blowing agent.
RAD Utility Partners
Across the United States
MA
States with RAD Utility Partners
States without RAD Utility Partners
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RAD Environmental Benefits
^ Climate & Ozone Layer Protection
Refrigerants and blowing agents contained in old
appliances harm the Earth's ozone layer if emitted to
the atmosphere. These substances also have direct
global warming potentials (GWPs) of up to 10,900—
meaning that they are up to 10,900 times more
effective at damaging the climate system than carbon
dioxide (C02). Recovering these materials, even in
small quantities, can therefore result in significant
climate benefits. Moreover, the recycling of metals,
plastics, and glass from appliances prevents indirect
GHG emissions associated with the generation of
electricity, which would have otherwise been needed
to produce virgin materials.
By recovering foam/blowing agent, refrigerant, and
durable materials from 2007 to 2011, RAD partners
have reduced emissions of 2.3 million pounds of
substances that harm the ozone layer, and 6.4 million
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02eq).
The climate benefit achieved is equivalent to keeping
approximately 1.3 million passenger cars off the road
for one year.
Typical Refrigerator
Manufactured Prior to 1995
Energy Savings
Both utility companies and consumers can benefit
from permanently removing old, inefficient appliances
from the electricity grid. On average, refrigerators
collected by utility partners in 2011 were over 20 years
old. From 2007 through 2011, RAD utility partners
reduced total energy use by roughly 13 billion kilowatt-
hours (kWh), equivalent to nearly 9 MMTC02eq. This
has saved consumers across America a cumulative
total of $1.5 billion.
Metal, Plastic, and Glass
Casing/Refrigerator Shell
139 Ibs. Metal
21 Ibs. Plastic
3 Ibs. Glass
PCBs
(May be contained
in capacitor)
Small Quantities
CFC-12
Refrigerant
0,5 Ib.
Mercury-containing
Components
Small Quantities
Other Environmental Benefits
RAD partners safely dispose of hazardous materials such as used oil, capacitors, and mercury-containing components.
Used oil can leak into groundwater and major waterways and pollute drinking water sources. Electrical components
such as old capacitors and thermostatic switches may contain PCBs and mercury, respectively—both of which are toxic
substances that cause a variety of adverse health effects. By preventing these substances from being released into the
environment, RAD partners are playing an important role in improving the health of the communities they serve.
For more information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/rad/ and see our list of RAD
partners at http://www.epa.gov/rad/radpartners.html.
Stratospheric Protection Division (6205J)
EPA-430-F-12-035
December 2012
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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