Appliances are, in fact, systems of mechanical and electrical

components encased in steel shells or bodies. Various operating

parts are made of steel or iron. An inherent part of our lives,

appliances provide convenience and fulfill essential roles from the

kitchen to the laundry room and elsewhere.

By weight, the typical appliance consists of about 75 percent

Appliances with steel content are simply too valuable to landfill, and would take up a considerable

amount of our nation’s valuable landfill space. As a result, a vast infrastructure has been developed

around the recycling of end-of-service steel appliances, as well as other steel materials.

energy to electrically power about 18 million households for a year. By recycling one ton of steel, 2500

pounds of iron ore, 1400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone are conserved. The Clean A i r

Act of 1990 mandated that prior to recycling or disposal, chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochloro-fluorocarbons

(HCFCs) contained in air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers be removed for

recycling. In some areas, scrap dealers have the CFC removal equipment and certified technicians for

this procedure. In other areas, specialty businesses provide this service, either independently, or in

association with appliance dealers or the local government.

All 50 states contribute to recycling appliances, with some working more aggressively than others to

avoid landfilling these recyclable items. The purpose of these bans is to extend the life of the

nation’s landfills and to encourage private industry and the public sector to implement recycling of

these goods.

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), a unit of the American Iron & Steel Institute, educates the solid

waste management industry, government, business and ultimately the consumer about the

economic and environmental benefits of recycling steel. SRI works to ensure the continuing

development of the steel recycling infrastructure.

RECYCLING STEEL APPLIANCES

Appliances are made from steel. Appliances are, in fact, systems of mechanical and electrical components encased in steel shells or bodies. Various operating parts are made of steel or iron. An inherent part of our lives, appliances provide convenience and fulfill essential roles from the kitchen to the laundry room and elsewhere. Appliances include washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers and water heaters.

Recycled content of appliances By weight, the typical appliance consists of about 75 percent steel. This steel is recyclable, as is all steel, and is being recycled today. The steel used in appliances, like all steel, is made with a minimum of 25 percent recycled steel. For this reason, all appliances contain recycled steel and are recyclable when they have reached the end of their useful lives.

Appliance Recycling and Disposal

Household appliances, like all consumer goods, require energy and resources in their creation, operation, and disposal.  Environmental consequences after disposal may include the introduction of greenhouse gases, heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the environment. Refrigerators, air conditioners, electronics, and fluorescent lighting products pose particular risks to the environment that should be kept in check; however, consumers should minimize the impact of all disposed goods by recycling as much of the durable materials as possible (metals, plastics, glass) and by making themselves aware of and recovering any harmful substances involved. This reduces the impact of landfill waste as well as further mining of increasingly scarce resources.

What Happens to Disposed Appliances

What typically happens to my old refrigerator or freezer once I get rid of it?

After appliances are collected they can be resold, recycled, or landfilled.

Resale: Sometimes appliances that are in working condition are refurbished and resold domestically or abroad to developing countries. Because these appliances consume large amounts of electricity and are less efficient toward the end-of-life, appliance re-sale should be avoided to save energy. Moreover, for those units sold in developing countries, their ultimate disposal is less likely to be carried out responsibly.

Recycling: Appliance recycling typically entails recovery of refrigerant and removal of hazardous components followed by shredding of evacuated appliances. Metal components are typically separated and recycled, while glass, plastics and polyurethane foam, are typically sent to a landfill. Because there are no legal requirements for foam recovery, the blowing agent contained in the foam insulation is emitted during shredding and landfilling—thus contributing to ozone depletion and to global climate change.