Environmental Benefits

Since the inception of the RAD Program, partners have successfully reduced emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and greenhouse gases (GHGs). Partners have also reduced energy consumption, increased the recycling of durable goods, and ensured the proper handling of hazardous substances. Annual environmental benefits achieved by RAD partners are summarized in the table below.

More information on these environmental benefits is provided below.

• Stratospheric Ozone Benefits (Bar Graph)
• Climate Benefits (Bar Graph)
• Energy Savings
• Other Environmental Benefits

Table 1. Summary of RAD Partners & Benefits Achieved

Category	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011a	2012	2013	2014
Number of Partners and Affiliates	9	16	23	34	44	50	54	54
Number of Units Processed
Refrigerators	166,557	418,223	644,751	669,523	815,595	794,113	811,458	837,364
Stand-alone freezers	9,316	81,592	35,356	63,387	82,367	84,063	89,905	91,449
Window air conditioners	290	5,608	2,136	2,376	5,253	7,321	7,474	7,113
Dehumidifiers	0	533	55	156	878	1,180	2,054	2,158
Ozone Benefits (ODP-weighted tons avoided)a	89b	153	148	151	217	274	263	207
Climate Benefits
Emissions avoided by recovery of refrigerant and foam-blowing agent (MMTCO2e)b	0.6b	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.7	2.2	2.1	1.7
Emissions avoided by increased recycling of durable goods	<0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1
Reduced energy consumption through early appliance retirement (MMTCO2e)b	1.1	1.5	1.9	2.2	2.3	1.9	1.9	1.7
Durable Materials Recycled (million lbs.)	27	87	110	118	147	148	150	155
Hazardous Substances Properly Treated
Used Oil (thousand gal.)	31c	164c	46	43	59	77	74	76
Other Hazardous Components (thousand components)	NAd	NAd	NAd	86	95	47	55	60

^a Due to corrections in partner data reporting, the benefits shown here differ from those presented in the Annual Report.
^b ODP = ozone depletion potential.
^c MMTCO₂eq = Million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
^d NA= not available; hazardous components were reported in pounds prior to 2010. Reported quantities were 1,500 lbs. in 2007, 14,090 lbs. in 2008, and 215,200 lbs. in 2009.

Stratospheric Ozone Benefits

RAD partners reduce emissions of ODS by recovering and reclaiming or destroying ODS refrigerant (CFC-12, HCFC-22) and foam-blowing agent (CFC-11, HCFC-141b) contained in household appliances. The quantity of refrigerant and foam-blowing agent recovered and properly handled by RAD partners in 2007-2014 is shown below.

* No ozone benefits are associated with the reclamation/destruction of HFC-134a refrigerant or HFC-245fa foam-blowing agent, although significant climate benefits are realized (see section below).

By avoiding the release of CFC and HCFC refrigerant and foam-blowing agent, an estimated 1,500 ozone depletion potential (ODP)-weighted tons of emissions have been avoided since program inception. The majority of refrigerant and foam-blowing agents recovered since 2007 were CFCs. This is the result of RAD partners’ efforts to target older, inefficient units. In the coming years, more HFC units will be retired. Proper handling of HFC refrigerants and blowing agents at end-of-life will reduce GHG emissions.

Climate Benefits

The recovery of CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants and foam-blowing agents from household appliances results in significant climate benefits, as these substances are all potent GHGs. In addition, the recycling of durable materials from appliances results in lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) associated with the generation of electricity, which would have otherwise been needed to produce virgin materials. The total GHG emissions avoided through refrigerant recovery, foam recovery, and durable goods recycling by RAD partners in 2007-2014 are shown below.

Energy Savings

For utilities, appliance recycling programs can be an important component of a successful demand side management (DSM) program. Replacing old, inefficient refrigerant-containing appliances reduces the amount of electricity needed to power them and, therefore, the amount of CO₂ emissions released. By collecting old, inefficient appliances for proper disposal, RAD’s utility partners have generated the benefits summarized in the table below. As shown, the energy savings realized by RAD utility partners, as well as the associated climate benefits and consumer savings, have increased steadily over the last eight years.

Table 2. Benefits from Early Appliance Retirement by RAD Partners

Units	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011a	2012	2013	2014
Number of Units Retired Prematurely
Refrigerators	166,557	214,373	250,314	254,962	273,520	294,019	310,620	334,115
Stand-alone freezers	9,316	12,530	6,703	44,434	48,614	78,705	78,967	59,154
Window air conditioners	290	1,407	1,186	1,223	1,712	3,062	3,221	3,339
Dehumidifiers	0	533	49	21	29	264	783	1,295
Energy Saved (billion kWh)b	1.7	2.4	2.7	3.0	3.2	2.6	2.7	2.4
Climate Benefits GHG emissions avoided (MMTCO2eq)c	1.1	1.5	1.9	2.2	2.3	1.9	1.9	1.7
Consumer Savings (million $)	$146	$283	$320	$372	$424	$313	$319	$335

^a Due to corrections in partner data reporting, the benefits shown here differ from those presented in the Annual Report.
^b kWh = kilowatt hours.
^c MMTCO₂eq = million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Other Environmental Benefits

RAD partners further protect the environment by keeping recyclable materials—such as glass, plastics, and metals—out of landfills and by ensuring the proper handling of hazardous wastes—namely used oil from compressors, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from capacitors, and mercury from thermostatic switches. As shown below, RAD partners have recovered significant quantities of these materials.

Table 3. Handling of Durable Goods and Hazardous Substances by RAD Partners

Material Type	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Durable Materials Recycled (million lbs.)
Ferrous metals	23	73	78	85	107	117	119	123
Non-ferrous metals	1	2	16	16	18	6	6	6
Plastic	3	10	14	15	19	22	21	23
Glass	<1	2	2	2	3	3	3	4
Proper Treatment of Hazardous Substances
Used oil (thousand gal.)	31	164	46	43	59	77	74	76
PCB-containing capacitors (thousand capacitors)	NAb	NAb	NAb	45	50	44	42	43
Mercury-containing components (thousand components)	NAc	NAc	NAc	41	46	4	13	18

^a Due to corrections in partner data reporting, the benefits shown here differ from those presented in the RAD Annual Report.
^b NA= not available; PCB-containing capacitors were reported in pounds prior to 2010. Reported quantities were 1,400 lbs. in 2007, 8,200 lbs. in 2008, and 213,500 lbs. in 2009.
^c NA= not available; mercury-containing components  were reported in pounds prior to 2010. Reported quantities were 100 lbs. in 2007, 5,900 lbs. in 2008, and 1,600 lbs. in 2009.

Outlook for the Future

Looking ahead, the RAD Program will continue to expand its membership and increase the environmental benefits achieved each year. The RAD Program is gaining momentum as industry and appliance owners alike learn about the importance of proper disposal and do what they can to address the problem.