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How to Dispose of an Old Fridge

The term 'hazardous' does not always mean that such waste is immediately toxic, though some can be. By improving the way in which we manage all wastes classified as hazardous we reduce the risk they might pose now and in the future.

Many domestic waste items can put human health or the environment at risk. Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) has historically represented less than 1 percent of the household waste stream. We need to ensure that all these materials are treated or disposed of correctly. The range of waste recognised as hazardous has increased, and this adds to the challenges facing Durham County Council and other organisations collecting household hazardous waste.

The Hazardous Waste Regulations, which came into effect in July 2005, define further categories of waste as hazardous (eg fridges and freezers containing ozone-depleting substances, fluorescent lighting tubes and televisions and computer monitors containing cathode ray tubes).

Hazardous Household Waste also includes many paints and other coatings, garden chemicals, petcare products, motoring products, household chemicals and electrical appliances - ie, Fridges.

There has been a change in the law as to how you can dispose of your Fridge/Freezer. All ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including CFC's, must be removed from refrigeration equipment before it is scrapped or recycled. This includes the ODS in the cooling system of your appliance and the insulating foam inside the walls and door. In plain English, Fridges contain hazardous gas, and therefore need special disposal.

Some local councils can really mess people around with collection times, force them to wait up to 3 months, or even (believe it or not) ask an OAP to "place your old fridge outside your front door"!

As a householder, you have a few options when it comes to disposing of your old fridge:

* Ask Your Retailer to take away it away. (that is when you have a new fridge delivered)

* Some retailers have decided not to continue to collect your old fridge or freezer when your new one is delivered, due to the cost. If the retailer that you purchased your new appliance from is unable to take away your old appliance you can take it to a Civic Amenity Site.

* Rubbish Clearance companies can be extremely useful to anyone who has ever tried to dispose of household junk. Unlike small unknown man and van outfits, you know the hazardous waste is going to end up being disposed properly!

To properly dispose of an old fridge, the gas in the fridge needs to be "collected" to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere. This may cost a little more, but it's worth it:
* It's environmentally friendly
* It's safe
* It's convenient - there's no need to wait around for a skip...
* You won't be fined by your council.
With rubbish clearance services, generallym you choose a date and time. WTheye come to your house and collect the fridge! That's it! All done without the hassle of skip hire.

Fridges and freezers have been subject to the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Regulations (2037/2000/EC) since January 2002. All waste refrigeration appliances containing ODS (eg CFCs and HCFCs) must be sent to specialist reprocessors. Most refrigerators reaching the waste stream in the UK are between 10 and 15 years old, and are therefore likely to contain ODS. Units manufactured after 1994 are unlikely to contain CFCs.

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Author Bio
How Can We Help?

We're called We Clear Junk (www.weclearjunk.com), and that's exactly what we do. We offer a very simple and very effective rubbish clearance service to help you throw away your old old fridge.

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