Synthetic refrigerant
stewardship
The problem
Synthetic green house gas refrigerants (CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs) are some of the world’s most harmful but least talked about climate change causing products. CFCs have a significant impact on the depletion of the ozone layer and CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs contribute to climate change. The nature of these refrigerant gases requires special disposal to mitigate their contribution to global warming.
Since 1993, the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants (RECOVERY), a voluntary product stewardship programme, has been collecting and disposing of these ozone depleting substances used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industries.
End-of-life refrigerant disposal demand is growing and it is forecast to continue growing over the coming years.
Unfortunately, demand is at a greater rate than the contribution of levies from RECOVERY’s members.
The Trust, on behalf of its members, are sponsoring a project that looks at how to address this shortfall to enable RECOVERY to continue its work. 3R Group will be working with the Trust as the project manager.
The problem
Synthetic green house gas refrigerants (CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs) are some of the world’s most harmful but least talked about climate change causing products. CFCs have a significant impact on the depletion of the ozone layer and CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs contribute to climate change. The nature of these refrigerant gases requires special disposal to mitigate their contribution to global warming.
Since 1993, the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants (RECOVERY), a voluntary product stewardship programme, has been collecting and disposing of these ozone depleting substances used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industries.
End-of-life refrigerant disposal demand is growing and it is forecast to continue growing over the coming years.
Unfortunately, demand is at a greater rate than the contribution of levies from RECOVERY’s members.
The Trust, on behalf of its members, are sponsoring a project that looks at how to address this shortfall to enable RECOVERY to continue its work. 3R will be working with the Trust as the project manager.
What we aim to do
Consult with the refrigerant and air conditioning industry on mandatory stewardship via declaration of refrigerants as a priority waste stream
Work with industry groups to develop installation industry best practice to minimise harm
Develop fully funded disposal paths to meet the changing nature of refrigerant gases
Propose recommendations to enhance the regulations for environmental impact protection
The ozone and
global warming
Refrigerants, specifically CFCs and HCFCs, are major culprits in the depletion of the ozone layer. Under the Montreal Protocol, production and consumption of these synthetic refrigerants were phased out. Their replacement, HFCs, are greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. If we are to keep the global average temperatures well below 2° C above pre-industrial levels and minimise the impacts of climate change, it is important that a sustainable programme to manage synthetic refrigerants long term is established.
The ozone and
global
warming
Refrigerants, specifically CFCs and HCFCs, are major culprits in the depletion of the ozone layer. Under the Montreal Protocol, production and consumption of these synthetic refrigerants were phased out. Their replacement, HFCs, are greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. If we are to keep the global average temperatures well below 2° C above pre-industrial levels and minimise the impacts of climate change, it is important that a sustainable programme to manage synthetic refrigerants long term is established.
Maximising effectiveness
of refrigerant stewardship
To ensure the long term safety and sustainability of synthetic refrigerant stewardship we need to:
- Safely collect and dispose of all refrigerant gases
- Include all refrigerant importers
- Training and qualifications for all refrigerant handlers
According to Drawdown, refrigerant management is the number 1 action we can take to reduce global emissions.
Maximising effectiveness
of refrigerant stewardship
To ensure the long term safety and sustainability of synthetic refrigerant stewardship we need to:
- Safely collect and dispose of all refrigerant gases
- Include all refrigerant importers
- Training and qualifications for all refrigerant handlers