More than 1,000 old refrigerators in Detroit, Michigan have been turned over in response to a cash-for-clunkers appliance recycling program launched last June by utility DTE Energy for its customers. Each customer who turned over a refrigerator or freezer received US $50. DTE Energy hauled the appliances for free and dismantled them at a recently opened state-of-the-art recycling plant in the Livonia district.

"The removal of these old, inefficient refrigerators is an easy way for customers to make their homes more energy-efficient. They can save money by using less energy and help the environment at the same time," said Steven Kurmas, subsidiary Detroit Edison's president and chief operating officer.

More than 50,000 old, working refrigerators and freezers, 30,000 of which will come from DTE Energy customers, is expected to be recycled in the plant within the next three years. The effort will employ at least 20 people.

JACO Environmental, the company contracted by DTE Energy to recycle the appliances, owns and operates the plant. The company uses a mechanized recycling process that prevents toxic oils, mercury and greenhouse gasses from escaping into the environment. About 95% of every appliance turned over will be recycled and thus will be kept out of landfills.

Federal standards require new refrigerators and freezers to be energy efficient. Current models use around 450 kilowatt-hours (kWh) yearly compared with older units that use up to 1,500 kWh yearly. Refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1990 typically use three times more electricity than new appliances, costing a typical household an average of $150 a yearly.

Improperly discarded or landfill-dumped older refrigerators and freezers can leach toxic substances into the air and soil. Michael Dunham, JACO Environmental’s director of energy and environmental programs, foam insulation and coolant oils exposed to the air accelerate the build-up of greenhouse gases. Dunham is also.

“JACO's process safely recycles 95% of the materials from the older units. Even the foam is safely incinerated to generate electricity. The overall beneficial impact on global warming alone is equal to taking two cars off the road for a year,” said Dunham, who is also a task force member of the United Nations Environment Program.

Customers are limited to turning over two units per household, which must both be in working order. Each unit must have an inside measurement of at least 10 cubic feet. The $50-checks will be issued to the customers four to six weeks after pick-up of the units.


-   Jen Balboa