MEDIA ADVISORY
SRP launches appliance recycling program
Customers can get cash, save energy and help the environment
To save energy and help the environment, SRP will pay its electric customers to take that spare refrigerator or stand-alone freezer off their hands and recycle it. But time is of the essence, as SRP's Appliance Recycling Program is available only for a limited time on a first-come, first-served basis.
SRP's Appliance Recycling Program makes it easy to properly dispose of inefficient older, working appliances. SRP will provide free pickup of the extra refrigerators or freezers, and then pay customers to recycle the units by mailing a check for $30 per qualifying appliance after they are picked up. There's a limit of two units annually per customer account.
Recycling just one appliance will keep reusable items out of landfills and reduce carbon dioxide by up to 10 tons -- or about the same emission reductions as parking two family cars for a year, said Debbie Kimberly, SRP's manager of Energy Efficiency and Policy Analysis.
Kimberly said refrigerators and freezers are the third-largest energy consumers in most Valley homes behind air conditioners and water heaters.
"Thirteen percent of SRP customers have two or more refrigerators and nearly 23 percent of homes have one or more stand-alone freezers, often in a hot garage," said Kimberly. "Electricity for that second or third refrigerator or freezer may cost up to $100 dollars a year. When you calculate the costs, it may make more financial sense to reduce the number of appliances you have."
Kimberly said about 95 percent of each refrigerator will be recycled through the SRP Appliance Recycling Program, including metals, plastics, glass, polyurethane foam insulation, oil and refrigerant.
You can schedule a pickup and get more details about the recycling program online. SRP customers can also call (602) 236-4225.
SRP is the largest provider of electricity to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than 935,000 customers in Maricopa and Pinal counties.
