ARCA, GE expand appliance recycling program

Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc. (ARCA), together with GE Appliances & Lighting, have doubled their recycling offerings from six to 12 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The initiative is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program. In a new effort to involve appliance retailers in the RAD program, GE will help ensure shipment of old appliances to the ARCA Advanced Processing (AAP) regional recycling facility in Philadelphia.

GE also said in a press release that it will provide retail partners with help marketing the program to their customers and that ARCA will haul away the retailer’s used appliances and deliver them to the recycling facility.

GE said about 40 percent of appliances collected by retailers are resold.

The AAP facility uses a refrigerator technology that recovers about 95 percent of the insulating foam and reduces typical landfill waste by 85 percent.  The UNTHA Recycling Technology (URT) system cost $10 million and is capable of recycling 150,000 refrigerators per year.

The EPA endorsed the move. “Their innovative partnership helps to reduce pollution, eliminate waste and protect the earth’s ozone layer,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “EPA encourages other manufacturers to follow their example.”

“We have a viable business that has the potential to grow well beyond the 12 states we now serve,” said Jack Cameron, president and CEO of ARCA. “The AAP facility in Philadelphia is a true investment in our environment, our economy and our community.”