Refrigerator Recycling is a free public benefit service that offers residential electric customers the opportunity to recycle older, operating inefficient refrigerators and standalone freezers. These units are transported to a recycling facility for dismantling and processing, making the program easy and convenient for our customers.
It is important to know that California law prohibits dumping your refrigerator or freezer in landfills and that many disposal companies charge a fee to pick up refrigerators or freezers for recycling.
What are the benefits of recycling my older units?
By recycling your old, inefficient refrigerator or freezer, you can save on future electric costs. In fact, inefficient refrigerators and freezers can cost $200 or more per year to use than those that are energy-efficient. Add a second refrigerator in the garage and you could be looking at an additional $100 or more in yearly electric costs.
Not only will you save money with your new, energy-efficient refrigerator or freezer, you’ll also help the environment. Older refrigerators and freezers often contain unhealthy metals and refrigerants; this is why these older appliances should be dismantled and removed in a proper manner.
What Do I Need to Do?
Qualified customers can call 1-800-685-2722, weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to schedule an appointment for pick-up. Please have your electric account number available when calling. Once the appointment has been scheduled, a representative will come to your home to pick up the appliance and deliver it to a recycling center.
The recycling center dismantles the appliance and disposes of the metal and refrigerant according to federal, state and local requirements.
If you have a non-working appliance, please call the Appliance Recycling Center of America at
1-800-654-2722 for recycling alternatives.
Program Guidelines
- Customers must fulfill all program-specific and general RPU program guidelines to be eligible for incentives.
- Operating refrigerator or freezer must be 10-28 cubic feet in size.
- Non-operational units do not qualify.
- A contractor retained by RPU must pick up the qualifying unit.
- Customers must schedule an appointment for the pick-up of qualified units through the Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc. at 1-800-685-2722, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- All General Program Guidelines apply.
