Program Results

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Annual Environmental Benefits Achieved by RAD Partners
Stratospheric Ozone Benefits
Climate Benefits
Energy Savings
Other 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 pro per handling of hazardous substances.

Annual Environmental Benefits Achieved by RAD Partners

Year	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011^a	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	Total
Number of Partners and Affiliates	9	16	23	34	44	50	54	54	51	49	43	44	46	43	42
Refrigerators	166,557	418,223	644,751	669,523	815,595	794,113	811,458	837,364	725,467	499,624	489,097	561,082	513,508	222,010	162,564	8,330,936
Stand-alone freezers	9,316	81,592	35,356	63,387	82,367	84,063	89,905	91,449	73,656	45,049	58,721	71,686	64,956	25,957	26,324	903,784
Window air conditioners	290	5,608	2,136	2,376	5,253	7,321	7,474	7,113	7,817	6,458	10,193	17,680	17,967	8,839	9,466	115,991
Dehumidifiers	0	533	55	156	878	1,180	2,054	2,158	3,250	1,648	3,518	8,164	12,733	5,867	7,337	49,531
Ozone Benefits (ODP-weighted tons avoided)^b	89	153	148	151	217	274	263	207	143	76	67	89	65	32	22	1,996
Emissions avoided by recovery of refrigerant and foam-blowing agent (MMTCO₂e)^c	0.6	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.7	2.2	2.1	1.7	1.2	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.3	0.2	16.5
Emissions avoided by increased recycling of durable goods	<0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.04	0.03	1.5
Reduced energy consumption through early appliance retirement (MMTCO₂e)^c	1.1	1.5	1.9	2.2	2.3	1.9	1.9	1.7	1.5	0.7	1.1	1.5	1.5	0.7	0.8	22.3
Durable Materials Recycled (million lbs.)	27	86	109	118	147	148	150	155	137	94	94	104	96	43	33	1,508
Used Oil (thousand gal.)	31	164	46	43	59	77	74	76	59	43	44	50	44	18	16	842
Other Hazardous Components (thousand components)	NA^d	NA^d	NA^d	86	95	47	55	60	51	46	39	36	15	5	6	541

^a Due to corrections in Partner data reporting, the benefits shown here differ from those presented in the 2011 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 2007-2021 is shown below.

Refrigerants and Foam-Blowing Agents Recovered by RAD Partners, 2007-2021*

* No ozone benefits are associated with the reclamation/destruction of HFC-134a and R-410A refrigerant or HFC-134a and HFC-245fa foam-blowing agent, although significant climate benefits are realized (see section below).

By avoiding the release of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant and foam-blowing agent, the program has avoided an estimated 1,996 ODP-weighted tons of ODS emissions since its inception. The majority of refrigerant and foam-blowing agents recovered since 2007 were CFCs and HCFCs. This is the result of RAD Partners’ efforts to target older, inefficient units. In the coming years, more hydrofluorocarbon (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 2007-2021 are shown below.

GHG Emissions Avoided through Proper Appliance Disposal by RAD Partners, 2007-2021 (MTCO₂eq.)

Energy Savings

For utilities, appliance recycling programs can be an important component of a successful demand-side management program. Replacing old, inefficient refrigerant-containing appliances reduces the amount of electricity needed to power them, and thus the amount of CO₂ emitted. By collecting old, inefficient appliances for proper disposal, RAD’s utility Partners have generated the benefits summarized in the table below.

Benefits from Early Appliance Retirement by RAD Partners
	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011^a	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	Total
Number of Units Retired
Refrigerators	166,557	214,373	250,314	254,962	273,520	294,019	310,620.0	334,115.0	309,008.0	141,474.0	201,328	265,204	234,487	111,654	135,178	3,496,813
Stand-alone freezers	9,316	12,530	6,703	44,434	48,614	78,705	78,967.0	59,154.0	49,947.0	26,991.0	39,404	55,108	48,688	18,020	24,251	600,832
Window air conditioners	290	1,407	1,186	1,223	1,712	3,062	3,221.0	3,339.0	3,389.0	3,920.0	8,085	13,880	13,425	5,870	9,278	73,287
Dehumidifiers	0	533	49	21	29	264	783.0	1,295.0	1,385.0	832.0	3,339	6,635	10,748	4,206	7,219	37,338
Energy Saved (billion kWh^b)	1.7	2.4	2.7	3.0	3.2	2.6	2.7	2.4	2.2	0.9	1.5	2.1	2.1	1.0	1.1	31.6
Climate Benefits GHG emissions avoided (MMTCO₂eq^c)	1.1	1.5	1.9	2.2	2.3	1.9	1.9	1.7	1.5	0.7	1.1	1.5	1.5	0.7	0.8	22.3
Consumer Savings (million $)	$146	$283	$320	$372	$424	$313	$319	$335	$307	$123	$202	$290	$296	$149	$163	$4,041

^a Due to corrections in Partner data reporting, the benefits shown here differ from those presented in the 2011 Annual Report.
^b kWh = kilowatt hours.
^b 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.

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011^a	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Durable Materials Recycled
Ferrous metals (million lbs.)	23	73	78	85	107	117	119	123	112	73	69	77	68	30	27
Non-ferrous metals (million lbs.)	1	2	16	16	18	6	6	6	5	4	4	5	4	2	1
Plastic (million lbs.)	3	10	14	15	19	22	21	23	17	15	17	20	20	9	4
Glass (million lbs.)	0.4	2	2	2	3	3	3	4	3	3	3	2	3	1	1

Used oil (thousand gal.)	31	164	46	43	59	77	74	76	59	43	44	50	44	18	16
PCB-containing capacitors (thousand capacitors)	NA^b	NA^b	NA^b	45	50	44	42	43	31	27	19	20	2	0.2	0.1
Mercury-containing components (thousand components)	NAv	NA^c	NA^c	41	46	4	13	18	20	19	20	16	13	5	6

^a Due to corrections in Partner data reporting, the benefits shown here differ from those presented in the 2011 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.