Anyone doing a little extra cleaning this spring should consider getting rid of the extra refrigerator or freezer that’s taking up space in the garage and wasting electricity.
NV Energy customers who participate in the company’s Second Refrigerator Recycling Program can have their old appliance hauled off for free. Plus they can lower their power bills, reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills, and receive a $50 check.
Since 2004, approximately 85,000 old refrigerators and freezers have been recycled statewide. Program partner JACO Environmental, the company that picks up and “de-manufactures” the appliances, can recycle about 95 percent of the materials used to construct the old machines, and safely dispose of the toxins and ozone depleting gases from the foam insulation.
According to JACO, each old refrigerator yields about 150 pounds of metal, 25 pounds of plastic and three pounds of glass. The foam insulation is ground up and often repurposed in the absorbent booms used to clean up oil spills.
To schedule free pick up of your old refrigerator, call 1-877-289-8260, or go to nvenergy.com/refrigerator to schedule a pickup online. Machines that qualify must be in working condition and have a storage capacity of at least 10 cubic feet.