Jackie Thompson
Every year an enormous amount of kitchen appliances, including approximately 9 million fridges/freezers are disposed of in the USA according to the EDA. Of these, approximately 70% are simply left on the curb in the hope that garbage collectors will pick them up and dispose of them accordingly. When disposing of kitchen appliances and equipment, it is of vital importance to follow certain rules to ensure that the safety of all people, as well as the environment, is not compromised in any way.
While it might seem harmless to leave an unused appliance on the curb for disposal and to discard of knives and other utensils in a garbage bin, it can have dire consequences for the environment. It is each individual’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with eco-friendly waste disposal as well as to educate themselves with regard to the environmental impact of negligent disposal methods.
The Problem with Disposing of Appliances
Of all kitchen appliances, fridges and freezers hold the most potential danger to the environment. Refrigeration equipment manufactured before 1995 typically contain a refrigerant known as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). CFCs are known to contribute towards the depletion of the ozone layer, making it imperative to discard of these appliances in a very responsible manner.
Furthermore, refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 2005 are liberally insulated with foam that contains large quantities of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) that can significantly contribute towards climate change and ozone depletion. Units that were manufactured after 2005 contain foam blowing agents that are both ozone and climate friendly. Apart from the ODSs contained in older kitchen appliances, there is also the possibility that they contain other hazardous components such as used oil, clogged-on grease and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that could be very harmful to the environment.
How to Dispose of Your Large Kitchen Appliances Responsibly
Whether you are replacing faulty kitchen appliances or wanting to upgrade to newer models, you need to dispose of your old appliances correctly. If the appliance is still in working order you can sell it by placing an advert in your local paper or by advertising it online on platforms such as Craigslist. If your old appliance is broken, however, you need to find a suitable recycling plant in your town or city that can assist you.
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests inquiring with your electric utility as to whether there is a bounty program running in your city or town of residence. A bounty program functions as an appliance-turn-in program which is typically sponsored by a regional or even local utility provider. The appliance owner is paid a predetermined bounty to allow a recycler to collect and recycle the appliance/s. There are a number of programs in existence that offer impressive discounts and rebates towards the acquisition of new ENERGY STAR® certified models, thus encouraging the purchase of environmentally-friendly appliances.
What about Potentially Dangerous Equipment Like Knives?
The knife block is undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of equipment in every home or commercial kitchen. Unfortunately, every knife, regardless of its origin, has a shelf-life and will have to be disposed of eventually. Where possible, attempt to donate your old knives to Goodwill or the Salvation Army before making the decision to throw them away. It is not advisable to dispose of sharp objects in trash cans without taking certain safety precautions. When throwing out old knives, make sure they are wrapped up securely to ensure that no one can get injured by them or use them in malicious ways. You can wrap your knives up in newspapers or cardboard, securing the paper in place with tape to ensure that it stays in place during transit.
Engaging in environmentally-friendly waste disposal should be a priority for everyone. By taking a few moments to make the necessary arrangements to dispose of your kitchen waste in a responsible manner you can significantly reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up on the landfills of the USA and preserve the world we live in for generations to come.