Media release

Auckland Fridge Retirement Scheme Goes From Strength To Strength

A unique fridge retirement programme has been so successful it has been extended, offering Aucklanders another chance to recycle their old fridges for free and support Ronald McDonald House Auckland.

400 refrigerators have been taken away and recycled as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) ENERGYWISE™ initiative to make homes more energy efficient. The project is run in conjunction with Fisher & Paykel Appliances.

The target has been achieved two months ahead of schedule, and demand has been so great the trial programme has been extended.

Under the scheme Aucklanders are getting a helping hand to rid their homes of inefficient fridges with old refrigeration appliances taken away and recycled for free. Householders have the choice of a $25 payment or donating the amount to Ronald McDonald House Auckland. To date over 55% of consumers have chosen to make the donation to the charity, which is a ‘home away from home’ for families from all over New Zealand whose desperately ill children require potentially lifesaving specialist treatment in Auckland.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances has been removing old fridges in working condition from houses in the greater Auckland region, then de-gassing and recycling them at the company’s dedicated recycling plant for a number of years.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ Recycling Manager George Gray says “We have always been committed to taking away and recycling old appliances for customers who have purchased a new Fisher & Paykel product from one of our retailers. Under this scheme we are also removing old fridges and freezers from anywhere across greater Auckland for free.

“We are thrilled with the results to date, particularly the number of appliances and donations to Ronald McDonald House Auckland. We would like to thank everyone involved for making this programme such a success and encourage people to recycle their inefficient appliances.”

Mr Gray adds: “Taking these appliances out of use can save householders on power costs while benefiting the environment at the same time. Around a third of all fridges and freezers were made before the phasing out of CFCs, making them harmful on the environment.”

To be eligible for retirement, fridges and freezers must be at least five years old, in working condition and at least 100 litres in size.

The fridge retirement pilot is part of the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy’s goal for better performing products. Older model fridges typically use two to three times more electricity than new ones – and with about 450,000 old, inefficient fridges and freezers in use throughout New Zealand, the potential for savings is huge.

To request a fridge pick up from Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Auckland residents can call the fridge pick up line on 273 6852 or email HomeDeliveries@fp.co.nz

ENDS

About Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ Recycling Plant: Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ principles are founded in recycling and a commitment to safe environmental processes. Back in 1993, the company started independently taking back old appliances, marking the start of its appliance take-back scheme. Today the company has six staff working full time in its dedicated East Tamaki recycling centre which deals with about 40,000 old washers, dryers, cookers, refrigerators and freezers every year. An estimated 1,600 tonnes of separated materials and 800 tonnes of composite materials are recovered and sold to various merchants for reprocessing and recycling every year.

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