The Benefits of EPA's
Responsible Appliance
Disposal (RAD) Program
Responsible Appliance
Disposal Program
&RAD«
Background
It is estimated that more than 13 million refrigerators/freezers, 9 million window air conditioning units, and 1.5 million
dehumidifiers are disposed of annually in the United States. To reduce the harmful impacts these appliances have
on the environment when they are taken out of service, federal law requires that all refrigerant is recovered prior
to dismantling or disposal and that universal waste (e.g., mercury, used oil, and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs])
is properly managed and stored. Federal law, however, does not require the recovery of appliance foam blowing
agents, which contribute to ozone depletion and climate change if released into the atmosphere. To encourage the
proper handling of appliance foam, as well as compliance with federal law regarding safe appliance disposal, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program—a voluntary
partnership that has achieved significant environmental benefits since its inception in 2006.
Appliance "recycling" is a term used loosely in the
industry and can mean many things—the resale or
reuse of an old unit, or the placement of the unit's
valuable metals on the recycling market, while the
remaining durable components are landfilled and
some hazardous substances are released into the
environment. "Recycling" is not synonymous with
best environmental practices.
What are the concerns over
appliance disposal today?
The resale of old, inefficient units leads to
increases in energy consumption, energy costs,
and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the time of
disposal, many refrigerated appliances are collected
through pick-up programs offered by municipalities or
retailers (when a new unit is purchased and delivered).
Municipalities and retailers typically subcontract the
disposal of appliances to third parties, who often
refurbish and resell an estimated 25% of these units.
Old, inefficient appliances that are put back on the
electricity grid continue to operate, consuming excessive
amounts of electricity. The industry often refers to such
reuse as "recycling." While it can be environmentally
beneficial to reuse some secondhand appliances,
extending the lifetime of old units can take an undue toll
on our energy grid, resulting in higher energy costs for
consumers and environmental and health impacts for all.
Only the most valuable metals get recycledwhile
other durable goods get landfilled. Units that are
not fit for resale are typically sent to scrap metal
companies, where valuable metals are salvaged for
sale on the recycling market, but plastics, glass, and
other durable materials are typically shredded and
landfilled. The industry often refers to this practice
as "appliance recycling."
The Benefits of EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program	1

-------
Refrigerants and other harmful substances may
be released to the environment, against federal
requirements. Federal law requires that all refrigerant
be recovered prior to dismantling or disposal and that
universal waste—including mercury—as well as used oil
and PCBs be properly managed and stored. However,
because there may be little to no economic incentive
for the proper disposal of these materials, their ultimate
fate is often unknown. There have been reports of
appliance dumping, venting of refrigerant, and release
of hazardous components into the environment. Some
of these improper disposal practices (i.e., the release of
refrigerant and other hazardous components) may still
be referred to as "appliance recycling" if the metals or
other durable components are recycled.
Insulating foam blowing agents are released into the
environment; contributing to stratospheric ozone
depletion and climate change. Although federal law
does not require the recovery and proper treatment
of the insulating foam that lines the appliance walls
of refrigerators, this foam contains substances
that are potent GHGs and that may, depending on
the vintage of the unit, deplete the ozone layer.
Historically, appliance foam was manufactured with
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or hydrochlorofluorocarbon
(HCFC) blowing agents, both of which are potent
ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and GHGs. These
ODS have been phased out under the Clean Air Act,
although they continue to be seen in new appliances
imported into the United States. Typically, newer units
contain hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blowing agents,
which are safe for the ozone layer but are still potent
GHGs. Increasingly, units are being manufactured using
climate-friendly blowing agents, such as hydrocarbons
and fluorinated olefins. But, given the long lifetime
of refrigerators, we will continue to see ODS and
GHG blowing agents reaching our landfills for decades
to come.
Foam Blowing Agents and Refrigerants Contained in Refrigerators Sold in the United States
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Blowing Agents
CFC-11
ODP: 1, GWP: 4,750
HCFC-141b*
ODP: 0.11, GWP: 725
Refrigerants
Hydrocarbons/
Low GWP Alternatives
ODP: 0, GWP: < 25
HFC-245fa
ODP: 0, GWP: 1,030
	ODP: 0, GWP: < 25	j
Hydrocarbons/Low GWP Alternatives
ODP: 0, GWP: < 25
*HCFC-141b foams were phased out of new equipment manufactured in the United States starting in 2003, but continue to be produced in other
countries and imported into the United States.
ODP = Ozone depletion potential. This is the relative amount of degradation caused to the ozone layer, with CFC-11 being fixed at an ODP of 1.0. Values
shown are based on the Montreal Protocol.
GWP = Global warming potential. This is the relative measure of how much heat a GHG traps in the atmosphere relative to carbon dioxide. Calculations
are based on 100-year direct GWPs provided in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007.
The Benefits of EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program	2

-------
How do RAD partners help?




1 A 1


1 II • • • |
Partners in EPA's RAD program commit to collecting used refrigerated appliances and
implementing best practices for the recycling/disposal of these units, which go beyond
federal laws. This means:
Complying with laws on the recovery of refrigerant, used oil, and PCBs
iSt' Recovering appliance foam
O Promoting recycling of all durable goods
^ Promoting the permanent retirement of old, inefficient appliances to save energy
RAD partners also commit to annual reporting to track the environmental impacts of
their efforts.
RAD Benefits From Properly Disposing of 1,000 Old Refrigerators (20+ years old)a
Other Benefits


GHG Emissions
ODS Emissions
Benefits
Cost Savings
Avoided
Avoided


(MTC02eq.)b
(ODP-Weighted kg)
Energy savings from
preventing appliance
resale/reusec
$739,170d
4,260
N/A
Reduces energy consumption
Recycling ferrous and
non-ferrous metalse
$5,330'
142
N/A
^ Saves landfill space and energy by
recycling rather than landfilling durable
materials
Recycling plastics and
glass in lieu of landfill
$2,890'
17
N/A
^ Saves landfill space and energy by
recycling rather than landfilling durable
materials
Avoided release of used oil
Not estimated
Not estimated
N/A
Avoided damage to the liver, brain,
immune system, and reproductive system
Avoided release of
mercury
Not estimated
Not estimated
N/A
Avoided impairment of neurological
development and other problems associated
with the human nervous system
Avoided release of PCBs
Not estimated
Not estimated
N/A
Avoided carcinogenic and non-
cancerous effects
Avoided refrigerant
emissions
$30,230f
1,940
180
Avoided cases of skin cancer, cataracts,
skin problems, and immune system
suppression
Avoided foam
emissions
$29,980s
1,920
400
Avoided cases of skin cancer, cataracts,
skin problems, and immune system
suppression
TOTAL:
$807,600
8,279
580

a Values are based on average quantities of materials recovered per unit, based on 2017 RAD partner reports. Units are assumed to contain CFC-12
refrigerant and CFC-11 foam blowing agent.
b Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTC02eq.) calculated based on 100-year GWPs provided in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007.
c Assumes that a 21-year-old unit has 6.71 remaining years of useful life based on the U.S. Department of Energy's Technical Support Document for the
2009 Final Rule on Residential Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers and Freezers, available at:
https://www1.eere.enerav.aov/buildinas/appliance standards/pdfs/refria finalrule tsd.pdf. Assumes each refrigerator consumes an average of 854
kWh/year based on RAD partner reporting.
d Assumes an average 2017 U.S. electricity price of $0.129/kWh based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (ElA's) Electric Power Monthly
electricity statistics, available at: http://www.eia.aov/electricitv/monthlv/epm table arapher.cfm?t=epmt 5 03.
e Ferrous and non-ferrous metals are typically recycled in the United States due to their high economic value, though such practices are ensured by RAD
partners as part of their commitment to using best environmental practices.
f Calculated based on the U.S. annual average market value of payments received from scrap yards, as provided in Scraplndex.corn's 2017 Annual
Historical Market Price Information (available at http://www.scrapindex.com'). Actual values of scrap yard payments may fluctuate significantly within
and across years.
9 Calculated using the California auction reserve price on February 27, 2019, which was $15.62 per ton CO,eq. For more information,
visit https://www.wci-auction.ora.
The Benefits of EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program	3

-------
What are the benefits?
As a result of their commitments, RAD partners have successfully reduced emissions of ODS and GHGs.
Partners have also reduced energy consumption, increased the recycling of durable goods, and ensured the
proper handling of hazardous substances. From 2006 through 2017, RAD partners achieved the following:
7.7
MILLION
refrigerated appliances
recycled the RAD way
ijiit
OO |%	metric tons
a	of GHG
.... ¦	emissions
MILLION	avoided
1,788
TONS
of ozone
depleting
substance
emissions
avoided
1.06 176
27
BILLION	MILLION	MILLION
POUNDS	POUNDS	POUNDS
OF METAL	OF PLASTIC	OF GLASS
prevented from going to landfills
715,0001300,0001180,000
gallons of used oil
PCB-containing
capacitors
properly handled
mercury-containing
capacitors
In addition, RAD's utility partners
ensure that old appliances being
disposed of by one household
do not get reused by other
households on the grid. They
have done this by offering cash
for old appliances and/or rebates
on the purchase of new ENERGY STAR® units, as part
of demand-side management (DSM) programs aimed
at reducing electricity use through energy efficiency
and conservation. Some utilities have also joined forces

ENERGY STAR
with RAD retail partners who allow them to broaden
their reach into consumer appliance channels. Together,
these partners have been able to collect additional
units and save an increasing amount of energy. Since
RAD's inception, partners have reduced energy use by
more than 25.3 billion kWh by permanently removing
old refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, window air
conditioning units, and dehumidifiers from the grid. This
has collectively resulted in more than $3.14 billion in
consumer savings.
Where can I learn more?
To learn more about:
•	EPA's RAD program: visit https://www.epa.gov/rad or contact RAD Program Manager Sally Hamlin at
Hamlin.Sallv@epa.gov.
•	Safe disposal procedures for refrigerated appliances: visit
https://www.epa.gov/section608/safe-disposal-procedures-household-appliances-use-refrigerants.
•	EPA's ENERGY STAR program: visit
https://www.energvstar.gov/products/recvcle/find fridge freezer recycling program.
The Benefits of EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program

-------