There’s an extraordinary…

There’s an extraordinary diversity of solutions to global warming that are being pursued. The CFCs/HCFCs/HFCs (hydrocarbons) found in household refrigeration units increase global warming, while CFCs destroy the ozone layer. More than 85% of these gases are released into the atmosphere despite regulations that prohibit their voluntary release. The presence of hydrocarbons in the foam insulation (foaming agent) and also in the refrigeration system can represent up to 3.7 metric tonnes of CO2e for each unit. For example, currently, a certain number of these appliances are picked-up by individual scrap dealers. However, this does not guarantee that the coolant or the blowing agent will be properly disposed of even though the recycling rate of units having reached the end of their life cycle is nearly 92%. There is no regulation that requires the recovery of the foaming agent, a hydrocarbon that significantly contributes to global warming. A collection program for end-of-life cycle units from appliance dealers, municipalities and communities who would re-direct the appliances to an optimal (regional) processing/recycling centre would enable them to meet regulations, recovery the totality of refrigerating gases, extract and destroy the hydrocarbons in the insulating foam and also recover/recycle a majority of the parts. This will lead to an increase in the reduction of GHG emissions.

Currently despite regulations most appliances are not properly decommissioned resulting in the release of CFCs and HCFs into the atmosphere. The EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) as proposed for the Province of Ontario should be included also, and at least, cold appliances. It is hoped that the comments herein will provide some information for the Province to aggressively move forward with an Extended Producer Responsibility program for the safe and proper disposal of appliances in the Ontario marketplace. The potential in Ontario is tremendous. More than 438 000 EOL fridges and freezers are generated in 2018 and the numbers will increase to 460 000 units in 2019 and to 477 000 in 2020. This corresponds to more than 250 MT of halocarbons. These units generate in average 1T CO2eq/unit of net GHG emissions currently.

The market is tremendous and will be there for a long period as replacement of halocarbons by other substances will take several years. An EPR program aiming cold appliances represents a great opportunity to reduce GHG emission in Ontario at low cost.

PureSphera Inc (PureSphera), formely known as Recyclage EcoSolutions, is a a Canadian corporation with more than 8 years of experience in cold appliance recycling. The firm has grown into being the largest recycler of cold household appliances in Canada, with current operations in Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Since 2008, PureSphera has managed more than 650,000 appliances, allowing to reduce GHG by near 1,200,000 Mtons of CO2e and destroying more than 250 metric tons of harmful Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and halocarbons. PureSphera has been active in appliance recycling programs and innovation projects which have generated significant environmental benefits through pollution prevention, material recovery and recycling. Refrigerant management through optimal management of domestic fridges and freezers is # 1 way for reduction of GHG's.(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/25/opinion/a-smorgasbord-of-solutions-f…).

The impact of government actions on climate change would be greatly enhanced, through the addition of a management program for EOL domestic cold appliances into EPR, at a very competitive cost. It is possible to redirect, without implementing door-to-door residential collection of appliances, an important proportion of end-of-life appliances, all the while maintaining take-back practices by retailers and services offered by municipalities (collections or Eco-depots).

Thus, it is possible to promote management of the halocarbon reuse/recycling/optimal management sector using existing consolidation points (retailer warehouses, delivery businesses, and municipal eco-depots). The traceability of appliances received will be greatly benefited by existing infrastructure.

Within the EPR, municipalities and retailers will be properly compensated for the collection and/or consolidation/storage and loading in trailers of collected end-of-life refrigerating appliances. This is in addition to handling, transportation, recycling, processing, administration, and communication and marketing costs.