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PPL implements recycling program
Published: November 10, 2009
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MIKE STAUGAITIS/Staff Photo Mary Anne Smeltz, left, signs off on her old refrigerator. Also pictured is Danny Fernandez of JACO Environmental.
DALMATIA - That old refrigerator in your basement that you use to keep your beer cold could be costing you more money that it is worth. It could be costing you up to $150 a year on your electric bill. That is one of the reasons for PPL's new refrigerator and freezer recycling program.
The program kicked off at the home of Mary Anne Smeltz, of Dalmatia, who kept a refrigerator that was more than 20 years old in her basement to store drinks frozen food items. She knew it was inefficient but was unsure how to disposeof it. So she kept it running.
"This is fabulous" Smeltz said. "We have been wondering how to get rid of this old fridge. We were worried how much it would cost us to get rid of it because of the Freon and other pollutants so we just kept it . What sold us is the fact that we are going to save about $140 on our electric bill."
In addition, PPL is offering its customers a $35 rebate for their old energy hogs provided they are in working order.
The refrigerator was picked up by JACO Environmental workers, who took the unit out of commission by cutting its power cord and rubber gasket seal, disabling the thermostat and marking it with an "X." It was then loaded onto a large box truck and hauled away.
"This is an exciting day," said Tom Stathos, director of customer programs and services for PPL Electric Utilities. "We have up to 14 programs available to our customers, and this is the first one to get kicked off."
Sam Sirkin, senior program manager of JACO Environmental, was at Smeltz's house for the first pick-up.
"This program is a way for PPL customers to have their old working appliances removed and have them recycled in an environmentally sound way." Sirkin said. "These old refrigerators and freezers use three to four times as much energy as a new one, and it costs from $100 to $150 to keep an old refrigerator working. The old ones are completely de-manufactured and 95 percent will be recycled."
According to a press release, the carbon dioxide emissions that are saved from the recycling of each refrigerator has about the same impact as taking two cars off the road for an entire year.
PPL Electric Utilities customers can schedule a free pickup of their old, working refrigerators, freezers or room air conditioners by calling toll free 1-877-270-3522 or visiting www.pplelectric.com/recycle. Customers will receive a $35 rebate and save up to $150 on their annual electric costs.
JACO Environmental has contracts with more that 60 utilities in 27 states and the company operates 17 recycling centers.
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