This is an article that energy offices could use in their newsletters or other promotional materials.
Recycle Your Old Fridge or Freezer;
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Replace When Needed with ENERGY STAR
Do you have one mostly for a few six-packs? One you’ve had so long, the seals don’t quite seal and the
dents don’t matter? An old fridge—the second one in your basement or garage—costs more to run than
you think. There’s no better time than the present to recycle your time-worn fridge. In addition to the
immediate energy savings from unplugging your old unit, some utilities, cities, and counties are paying
consumers to get their old, second units off the grid, and to properly recycle the steel and other
materials they contain.
[IF YOUR STATE ENERGY OFFICE IS CURRENTLY OFFERING NEW ENERGY STAR PRODUCT REBATES,
PLEASE ADD DETAILS HERE, AND DELETE THE PARAGRAPH AFTER THIS ONE.] So when you’re ready to
say goodbye, be sure your energy-hogging second unit is properly recycled so that it is unplugged, once
and for all. Visit the ENERGY STAR Make a Cool Change: Recycle Your Old Fridge or Freezer Campaign at
www.energystar.gov/recycle for additional information.
[IF YOUR STATE ENERGY OFFICE DOES NOT OFFER NEW ENERGY STAR PRODUCT REBATES, USE THIS
ALTERNATE PARAGRAPH AND DELETE THE PARAGRAPH IMMEDIATELY ABOVE.] When you’re ready to
say goodbye, be sure your energy-hogging second unit is properly recycled so that it is unplugged, once
and for all. Visit the ENERGY STAR Make a Cool Change: Recycle Your Old Fridge or Freezer Campaign at
www.energystar.gov/recycle to find recycling options and learn about recycling incentives in your area,
if available.
If your main fridge or freezer is past its prime, you may also be able to take advantage of additional
rebates on new ENERGY STAR appliances in the coming months, thanks to federal stimulus funds. So
check the age of all your fridges and freezers. A unit manufactured before 1993 costs more than double
to operate than a new ENERGY STAR qualified model, and you’re wasting $100 or mor