If you decide to get a new refrigerator, whether because your old unit has been having problems, or you just needed an upgrade, what will you do with your old refrigerator? Proper disposal of appliances is important, especially for refrigerators, as they may have components that may be harmful when just thrown out on the streets. If you’re not planning to keep your old unit, here’s a guide on how to dispose of your old refrigerator properly.
Ways to Dispose of a Refrigerator
Unlike in other countries, there are no refrigerator disposal laws in the Philippines, so responsible appliance disposal is up to the citizens. Depending on the condition of your old refrigerator, there are different ways to dispose of it.
Resell your old refrigerator. If your refrigerator has been used for less than 10 years, perhaps it just has a few cosmetic issues and a few problems that can be easily repaired, then you can make money from it by reselling it. You can start by offering it to friends and family. You can also post it online, like in your neighborhood’s online group or online marketplaces. Depending on the condition, you can probably still fetch at least 50% of its original retail value. You can use the money from this sale as an additional fund for your new refrigerator.
Donate your old ref. If you don’t really need the extra money, then pay it forward by donating it to charitable institutions. You may also check with your children’s school if they need one for their cooking classes or your barangay for whatever purpose it may serve. However, only do this if your refrigerator is still in usable condition, as you may do more harm than good if donating a ref in bad condition.
Trade in your old ref. This is more common in smaller appliances and gadgets like smartphones, but some stores accept trading in your old machines to get discounts on the new products that you want to buy. Companies usually have the right facilities to recycle these old machines.
Sell your old ref to a junk shop. If your refrigerator needs major repair, or if it is beyond repair, then you can sell it to a junk shop. The junk shop may still be able to repair it and resell it to people who need it. If it is no longer repairable, they may still be able to salvage some parts that they can use for other projects. This is recycling, which is good for the environment.
Possible Dangers of Mishandled Refrigerator Disposal
As mentioned earlier, it is not recommended to just dispose of your old ref anywhere, as it has components that may be harmful to the environment, and eventually harmful to all of us. Therefore, proper waste management and refrigerator disposal must be observed.
One of these components is the refrigerant. Old refrigerators, in particular, have chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerant that can destroy the ozone layer when released into the environment. A thinning ozone layer is one reason for climate change.
Refrigerators may also have insulating foams that deplete the ozone layer. These are the ones manufactured before 2005. Newer models now have insulating foams that are ozone-friendly.
Mechanical and electrical components of refrigerators like switches and relays may also have hazardous materials like mercury. Mercury, when inhaled or ingested by humans, can cause problems affecting organs like lungs and kidneys and digestive and immune systems. If it is released into the environment because of improper disposal of an appliance, it may find its way into the food chain.
Finding the Ideal Refrigerator Replacement
With your old refrigerator properly disposed of, you may not get a new one. But with all the models available out there, how do you know that it’s the right one?
There are many factors to consider, but one thing you should look at is the brand. If the refrigerator is from a brand trusted by generations, rest assured that is of high quality, like a Condura refrigerator.
For a refrigerator you can use at home or for your business, Condura has its Ultima Refrigerators. These refrigerators give you high cooling performance at a low cost. For instance, the Ultima Inverter Single Door Refrigerator has an inverter compressor that allows up to 50% saving on energy consumption.
You also get the best of both worlds as their design and style truly meet function. Ultima Inverter Two Door ref has an inverter compressor that allows up to 50% saving on energy consumption. Using this could cost you as low as Php5.07 per day (based on Meralco Average Daily Rate (Php 9.9468) from October-December 2020 for the CTD700MNi Model). The Ultima Inverter Two Door ref looks very stylish with its modern slim body and millennium gray finish. It is also eco-friendly as it uses a natural refrigerant with low environmental impact and zeroes ozone depletion potential.
Condura also has Prima refrigerators. These energy-efficient refrigerators come in various models perfect for starting families. The Prima Inverter Refrigerator gives you superior cooling without breaking your bank. Thanks to its inverter technology, you can efficiently cool your children’s food and ingredients for only P3.58 per day. This is because of its high energy efficiency factor (based on the Average Meralco rate of P9.9468 per kWh computation of CSD510MNi, October to December 2020).
A Condura refrigerator is your best choice not only because Condura offers top-of-the-line products, but also because it offers service with malasakit. With Condura, you will proudly and confidently say, “Iba ang Pinoy!” You can buy directly from our online stores (Condura e-store, Lazada Flagship Store, and Shopee Mall) or from our dealer partners’ online stores.
Photo by Johannes Plenio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-red-coca-cola-vending-machine-2566826/
Photo by Monstera: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cutout-paper-composition-of-yellow-signboard-with-exclamation-mark-5849597/
