| Appliance Recycling | | Print | |
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Click here to see the District's 2010 Calendar of Events. Items Accepted
Why Recycle White Goods?
There are various Freon removal companies that are certified to remove Freon from appliances, but often they charge for the removal of this toxic substance and the resident is left to dispose of the remaining appliance. Government agencies, such as the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County host free white good recycling events to recycle used Freon and the remaining appliance. Other white goods, such as clothes washers, dryers, water heaters, and stoves are also collected and recycled as scrap metal. Freon 113Freon 113, the brand name for the chemical found in refrigerants is what that keeps things cool. Freon 113 (also called CFC-113) is a colorless, nonflammable liquid. It does not occur naturally but is produced in large amounts (177 million pounds in 1992) by two companies in the United States. Because of ozone depletion concerns, EPA has restricted future US production of Freon 113. Exposure to Freon 113 can occur in the workplace or in the environment following releases to air, water, land, or groundwater. Exposure can also occur when people use products that contain Freon 113. Freon 113 enters the body when breathed in with contaminated air or when consumed with contaminated food or water. It can also be absorbed through skin contact. It does not remain in the body due to its removal in expired air. What happens to Freon 113 in the Environment?Freon 113 evaporates when exposed to air. It dissolves only slightly when mixed with water. Most direct releases of Freon 113 to the environment are to air. Freon 113 also evaporates from water and soil exposed to air. Once in air, it moves slowly to the upper atmosphere. Because it is a liquid that does not bind well to soil, Freon 113 that makes its way into the ground can move through the ground and enter groundwater. Plants and animals are not likely to store Freon 113. How does Freon 113 affect human health and the environment?Effects of Freon 113 on human health and the environment depend on how much Freon 113 is present and the length and frequency of exposure. Effects also depend on the health of a person or the condition of the environment when exposure occurs. Breathing large amounts of Freon 113 for short periods of time adversely affects the human nervous system. Effects range from dizziness to reduced coordination and irregular heart beat. These effects are not likely to occur at levels of Freon 113 that are normally found in the environment. Freon 113 is not likely to cause immediate environmental harm at levels normally found in the environment. However, it is likely to remain in the air long enough to reach the upper atmosphere. Here it can be a source of chlorine atoms that damage the Earth's ozone layer. Ozone damage in the upper atmosphere can lead to increased levels of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Increased, surface UV radiation can adversely affect human health and the environment. The creators of Freon were forced to phase out the chemical and create a safer substitute. When new refrigerant is produced, it is still called Freon, but is made of some slightly different chemicals. Freon is recycled from old appliances and put into new appliances. As long as Freon is properly removed from appliances and used in new appliances the ozone threat is significantly minimized. Refrigerant Evacuation
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The Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County will accept large, obsolete and unusable appliances for recycling approximately ONCE per year. This includes hard to dispose of items with Freon such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. There is no charge for this service. Participation is limited to residents of Porter County.