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FAQs
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- How do I get started?
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Contact Utilities to schedule an appointment to recycle your old refrigerator and/or freezer.
- Who can participate?
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All Utilities electric customers can recycle a qualifying refrigerator/freezer.
- Do I have to buy a new refrigerator or freezer to get the rebate?
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No, but if you do, look for the ENERGY STAR® label to lower your electric bills.
- Will you haul away a non-working refrigerator/freezer?
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No. The program reduces electricity use by disposing of older refrigerators and freezers that are now in use. Contact the Larimer County Landfill for information on safely disposing non-working appliances.
- How "old" is old for a refrigerator or freezer?
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A pre-1989 refrigerator uses up to four times the electricity of a new refrigerator. Federal standards for refrigerator and freezer efficiency changed in 1989, 1993, 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2011. Each time the standard changes, appliances become more efficient.
- Why is Fort Collins Utilities paying me to recycle?
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Old refrigerators and freezers use a lot of electricity. With a newer model, you'll lower your electric bill and Utilities won't have to purchase as much electricity for that appliance, which reduces emissions from fossil-fuel electricity production.
- Why does Utilities want to help customers reduce energy consumption?
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The Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling Program is part of a broad effort to reduce electrical energy consumption as identified within the City’s Energy Policy. See the City's Energy Policy (PDF 63KB) for details.
- How is a refrigerator or freezer "recycled?"
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The recycling process de-manufactures the appliance, recovering about 95 percent of materials. The program recovers the primary refrigerant, recycles non-hazardous materials (such as metal, plastic, glass and oil), and destroys hazardous materials (such as mercury and PCBs) and ozone-depleting CFC-11 contained in the foam insulation.