Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has reached a significant environmental milestone by recovering 10,000,000 kilograms of synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants.
This achievement is thanks to the efforts of licensed refrigeration and air conditioning technicians throughout the country.
The recovery of these harmful gases, which can deplete the ozone layer and contribute to climate change, demonstrates RRA’s commitment to reducing emissions from the HVAC sector.
It also highlights the crucial role the refrigeration industry plays in protecting the planet.
Since its inception in 1993, RRA has worked with industry partners, wholesalers, and refrigerant distributors to collect unwanted ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases at over 500 locations across Australia.
Through its product stewardship program, RRA has safely disposed of thousands of tonnes of CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs using technologies approved by the Montreal Protocol.
This collective effort with the refrigeration industry has prevented over 10 million tonnes of stratospheric ozone from being destroyed and over 18.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from being emitted.
Kylie Farrelley, General Manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, commended the refrigeration industry’s role in reducing the impact of climate change, calling the 10,000,000 kilogram milestone a testament to their efforts.
“The collective recovery efforts of licensed technicians throughout Australia must be commended, especially as technicians are often recovering refrigerant in volumes as small as a kilo at a time,” said Farrelley.
She emphasised that every kilo of refrigerant recovered from refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat pumps represents a significant step toward preventing harmful substances from entering the atmosphere.
Farrelley noted that the milestone not only benefits the environment but also helps protect the health and wellbeing of communities worldwide. The current annual emissions abatement is equivalent to taking 238,000 vehicles off the road every year.
“RRA remains committed to working with the industry to reduce the impact of refrigerant gases on the environment, with Farrelley stating: “Together, we can make a significant impact and create a more viable future.”
The milestone serves as a reminder of the key role individuals and industry play in protecting the planet and the importance of collective efforts in addressing environmental challenges.