How to Dispose of Freon

Freon is a brand name for a group of chemical compounds use in refrigeration. These compounds have not been manufactured in the United States since 1996 because of the damage they can do to the ozone layer. The damage occurs when chemical compounds called CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) in Freon are broken down into chlorine atoms high in the atmosphere. These chlorine atoms then deplete the ozone layer, which is important because it absorbs ultraviolet light that can harm life on earth. It is important to dispose of Freon properly to prevent additional CFCs from entering the atmosphere.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your city or county sanitation or hazardous waste department and ask about the policy on Freon disposal. Some cities, such as New York City, require residents to schedule an appointment before they dispose of any appliances containing Freon. Other cities, such as Phoenix, have special dates and locations for accepting hazardous wastes, including appliances with Freon. Because of how important proper Freon disposal is, most major city governments will offer reclamation options.

• 2

  Contact your local landfill if your city does not offer Freon disposal. Some landfills have refrigerant reclaiming equipment onsite and will properly remove Freon from appliances and air conditioning units. Some landfills will charge a fee for the service, especially for people who do not live within the city or county limits.

• 3

  Contact an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer company if your local landfill is not an option. There is a list of currently certified companies on the EPA.gov website. These companies offer on- and off-site Freon reclamation, but often only service commercial customers. If you are looking for consumer services, these EPA-certified refrigerant reclaiming companies can direct you to a local refrigerant reclaiming technician.

• 4

  Call a service company that works with the appliance from which you are trying to dispose of Freon if the above options are not available to you. For example, contact air-conditioning service companies to see if they offer refrigerant reclaiming services. A service company may have a contract with an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer and will remove and dispose of the Freon for you.