It is estimated that 2.5million CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) containing fridges are being processed each year in the UK. Each unit contains about 398g of CFCs but only 47% of these are being recovered.
What are they and what do they do?
CFCs and HCFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are non-toxic manmade gases that have historically been used as coolants in fridges. When emitted to the atmosphere they break down to release chlorine, which damages the ozone layer. These gases form part of a group of substances known as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
A single chlorine atom is thought to destroy over 100,000 ozone (O3) molecules.
Ozone (O3) is a molecule consisting of three oxygen (O2) atoms which reacts strongly with other molecules. Ozone is created in the stratosphere when high energy ultra violet (UV) radiation causes oxygen molecules to split. The free oxygen atoms collide and react with other oxygen molecules to form ozone. The greatest production of O3 is where the UV radiation is the greatest, so at the tropics, once created it is then circulated towards the poles by the atmosphere. The amount of O3 in the stratosphere varies with location, season and day to day climatic conditions.
The only way to reduce the spread of the ozone depletion is to stop using these gases.
Since 1979 ozone has fallen by an average of 5% every 10 years.
Legislation
The principal legislation controlling ODS is the European Council Regulation No. 2037/2000 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (as amended). This came into effect in October 2001 and required member states to remove ozone depleting substances from refrigeration equipment prior to them being scrapped. This came into force immediately for commercial/industrial appliances and applied to domestic appliances from 1 January 2002.
Also the Environmental Protection (Controls on Ozone-Depleting Substances) Regulations 2002 (in force from 31/03/02) and the Environmental Protection (Controls on Ozone-Depleting Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 apply controls on the production, importation, exportation, placing on the market, emission, recovery, recycling and destruction of substances that have an adverse impact on the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere.
Useful links and further information
The Environment Agency link NETREGS covers who it applies to, what you should do and further links to other useful sites:
In order to understand more about the disposal of refrigeration equipment go to the following defra website link below .This link covers: UK fridge treatment companies, advice to small businesses, guidance for householders, local authorities and commercial refrigeration.
Frequently asked questions about fridges
Contact details:
tracy.moffatt@ciwm.co.uk
updated 08/06/05
