The Problem of Old Fridges
In spite of the enormous greenhouse potential and damaging effect on the ozone layer, the environmentally compatible handling of old refrigeration appliances and other waste containing CFCs or their storage is not regulated by the Montreal Protocol. There is, however, still a considerable quantity of CFCs contained in refrigeration, deep-freeze and air-conditioning appliances and if these are disposed of inappropriately, CFCs will be released into the atmosphere. While the problem of refrigeration appliances has been regulated in Europe on a national level and throughout the EU, it still continues in developing countries and especially in emerging markets. This is where the Swiss Climate Protection Initiative comes into its own.
Europe has found a suitable solution to the problem of refrigeration appliances. At the same time in Switzerland SENS as well as manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic appliances have taken on a pioneering role: since as early as 1991 the environmentally compatible disposal of refrigeration, deep-freeze and air-conditioning appliances together with the complete destruction of the greenhouse gases CFCs has been assured. In 2003 the European Union followed this with the entry into force of the WEEE Directive.
However, in developing and emerging markets the problem is by and large unsolved. Refrigeration appliances continue to be disposed of using an auto shredder and the CFCs escape into the atmosphere. At the same time toxic materials such as mercury leak into the environment.
Most developing countries and emerging markets do not recognise any legally binding obligation towards the environmentally correct disposal of hazardous substances in household appliances, let alone specific guidelines which require the destruction of CFCs during the disposal of such appliances, as is usual in European countries. Furthermore, no industry standards for recycling these appliances exist, nor do countries possess the necessary know-how and technical infrastructure.
This is where the Swiss Climate Protection Initiative SPCI comes into its own. Together with its partners it builds infrastructure for the environmentally correct recycling of old refrigeration appliances containing CFCs while at the same time transferring its know-how to the host country.