Wednesday, May 9 2012 6:04 PM EDT2012-05-09 22:04:02 GMT
Major appliances and other large metallic discards needlessly use scarce landfill space when they can effectively be separated from the waste stream and recycled. These big items are not only large butMore >>
Major appliances and other large metallic discards needlessly use scarce landfill space when they can effectively be separated from the waste stream and recycled. These big items are not only large butMore >>
It
keeps harmful chemicals, such as CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and mercury, out the
atmosphere and landfills.
It
recovers useful resources for reuse, such as steel, plastic, glass, and oil,
meaning that fewer virgin resources will be required to create new products.
It
saves energy: recycling existing materials to create new products uses less
energy than making new products from virgin materials.
The
plastic, steel, glass, refrigerant, oil, and blowing agent found in old appliances can be salvaged and
recycled for use in new products.
By
weight, most appliances are 75 percent steel. The Steel Recycling Institute
saves the equivalent of 18 million households worth of electric energy every
year by recycling steel.
Refrigerators,
air conditioners, and freezers made before 1995 contain chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) and most air conditioners produced after 1995 contain hydro
chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Both CFCs and HCFCs harm Earth's ozone layer.
Refrigerators,
freezers, and some air conditioners manufactured since 1995 contain hydro
fluorocarbons (HFCs), which are not ozone-depleters, but which still require
careful disposal.
Additional
hazardous materials contained in some appliances include oil, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), and mercury. These materials can have a substantial negative
impact on the air, water, and soil if not disposed of properly.
Wally Waste-Not Says. . . "Recycling
appliances and e-waste is another step toward a future without landfills!"
