• It is estimated that 55 million appliances will be removed from service this year.
• Last year, appliances were recycled at a rate of 72%.
• Major home appliances make up about 10% of the steel processed by the recycling industry (cars make up 80%).
• Approximately 75% of the typical major household appliance is made of steel, America’s most recycled material.
• Appliances also contain other recyclable materials, including aluminum, copper, CFC refrigerants and some plastics.
• Older appliances can contain environmentally harmful materials such as mercury and PCBs. These substances must be removed and managed properly before recycling an appliance.
• Using recycled steel has a positive impact on the environment, since it takes four times as much energy to manufacture steel from virgin ore as it does to make the same steel from recycled scrap.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has identified six major benefits of using scrap instead of virgin materials — iron ore and coal — in making new steel:

• 97% Reduction in mining wastes
• 90% Savings in virgin materials use
• 86% Reduction in air pollution
• 76% Reduction in water pollution
• 74% Savings in energy
• 40% Reduction in water use

Average Steel Content of Major Home Appliances

• Refrigerators: 123 lb
• Clothes Washers: 97 lb
• Clothes Dryers: 100 lb
• Dishwashers: 50 lb
• Room Air Conditioners: 45 lb
• Ranges (gas): 155 lb
• Ranges (electric): 84 lb
• Microwave Ovens: 27 lb

Appliance recycling conserves natural resources: Every ton of steel recycled saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone.

Household refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1995 typically contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerant. Most window air-conditioning units and dehumidifiers contain hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant. CFCs and HCFCs are ozone-depleting substances (ODS) that, if released into the environment, destroy the protective ozone layer above the earth. Moreover, CFC and HCFC refrigerants are also potent greenhouse gases, meaning that their release contributes to global climate change. Refrigerators and freezers manufactured since 1995 contain ozone-friendly hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants; however, these refrigerants still need to be carefully handled since they are greenhouse gases.

Refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 2005 are insulated with foam that contains ODS–either CFCs or HCFCs. If emitted, CFCs and HCFCs contribute to both ozone depletion and climate change. Only units manufactured since 2005 contain foam blowing agents that are ozone and climate friendly. Air-conditioners and dehumidifiers do not contain foam

Household appliances may also contain hazardous components, including used oil, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mercury. For example, the cooling circuit contains oil that can be contaminated with ODS refrigerant. Some refrigerators and chest freezers manufactured prior to 2000 have mercury containing components (i.e., switches and relays). Appliances manufactured prior to 1979 may contain PCB capacitors. For this reason, appliances should be recycled by facilities that safely remove these components prior to shredding and recycling. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has more information on mercury and PCBs contained in home appliances

If improperly disposed, used oil from refrigerated appliances can result in the release of dissolved ODS refrigerant and groundwater contamination. In addition, short-term exposure to used oil can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation; in the long-term, it can cause cancer and damage to the liver, brain, immune system, and reproductive system.

When released to the environment, mercury accumulates in the tissues of plants and animals and, when consumed by humans, impairs neurological development and causes other problems associated with the nervous system.

PCBs are toxic substances with carcinogenic and non-cancerous effects on humans, including effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, and endocrine system.