7. Responsible Appliance Disposal
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RAD stands for Responsible Appliance Disposal. If refrigerant chemicals (HFC's) escape from freezers, heat pumps, refrigerators, or air-conditioners the atmospheric damage is much worse than most people realize.
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"Hydro-fluoro-carbons (HFCs) ... have 1,000 to 9,000 times greater capacity to warm the atmosphere than carbon dioxide," although they dissipate much sooner than CO2.
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"The HFCs in [air conditioner] units just amplify the problem."
How much do you pollute? Measure here.
The amount of HFCs in your cooling unit is small, but the damage, if released, is not.
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When it's time to replace your refrigerator, heat-pump, air conditioner, or freezer, do not dump the thing!
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“It’s essential to handle their disposal properly.​"
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Contact a local appliance professional (HVAC or refrigerator technician) to prevent the invisible pollutants from escaping. They should know how and where to dispose of the machine without leakage.
You can try to find hazardous waste disposal operations near you by internet search, such as:
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Refrigerant Disposal near me
- Hazardous Waste Disposal
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Different cities and counties have different facilities; many are operated by contractors. It may take persistence to locate the right spot!
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You can check with your electric utility, or state energy office ...
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Or your local waste management company, or the department of public works.
The EPA used to have a program to help find proper disposal places.
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Republicans, in our nation’s capitol (2025), defunded the RAD program.
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The links listed for RAD at the EPA now say: "Sorry, but this web page does not exist.”
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HOWEVER, you might access the old website, and it’s list, via this link: 19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/rad/find-rad-partner-programs
"Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) found in refrigerators and air conditioners are ... a major contributor to climate change."
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In places like Guatemala, they don't have an expansive RAD program.
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"Sometimes ... the team [there] arrives too late, finding only punctured tanks, corroded pipes and gases long [since] released." ​
