The recycling of home appliances has become mandatory in some countries to keep them out of the waste stream. This is done to reduce or eliminate toxic substances from entering the wider environment and affecting ecosystems.
The strength of appliance recycling legislation varies around the world.
recycling one refrigerator can save 2,397/50,000 tons of CO2 a year, 3,912,750 btu's of energy, 1,739/105,600 tons of Al, 799 gallons of H2O, gain almost 10,387/40,000 tons of O per year
equal to 799/400 trees
Recycling by region[]
Europe[]
In 2003 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) passed into European Law. It sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for all types of electrical goods.
Japan[]
The Home Appliance Recycling Law was enacted in 1998 and came into force in 2001.[1] Appliance manufacturers must finance the recycling of their products. The Association for Electric Home Appliances is a trade group that is responsible for orphaned products.[2]
United States[]
Recycling legislation varies between states.
Australia[]
There are several commercial appliance recyclers in Australia, as well as some organisations that remove old whitegoods and offer rebates, sponsored by the government. Some retailers like Appliances Online also remove and recycle customers' old appliances using services like Sims Metal Management.[3]