Pull the plug on old, inefficient appliances

Media release
23 February 2009

Kiwis get a helping hand to pull the plug on old, inefficient appliances

Kiwis are getting a helping hand to rid their homes of inefficient appliances over the next few weeks as part of Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ annual recycling days.

On Saturday 28 February (8am to 4pm) in Wellington and Christchurch, and Saturday 7 March (8am to 4pm) in Auckland, the public can bring any brand of old kitchen or laundry appliances to identified drop off points and the items will be recycled for free. The drop off points are: Wellington – 20 Gough St, Seaview, Lower Hutt; Christchurch – Fisher & Paykel Appliances, 79 Shands Rd, Hornby; and Auckland – Fisher & Paykel Appliances, East Tamaki (entry via 14 Allens Rd)

Furthermore, a limited number of people who drop off their appliances will be rewarded with a discount voucher for a new Fisher & Paykel appliance.

With tens of thousands of appliances put into landfill nationwide each year, the days enable the public to recycle their appliances in an environmentally friendly, convenient manner at no cost. This unique initiative is part of the Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ environmental focus and commitment to make homes more energy efficient.

The company’s Recycling Manager George Gray says last year’s event was a great success and well supported by the public.

“The community really got in behind this initiative and brought in hundreds of appliances for recycling – this meant 17 tonnes of waste was saved from going into landfill,” says Mr Gray. “We’re anticipating an even better response this year with the programme extended to Wellington and Christchurch. With Kiwis around the country, we hope we can continue to make a positive difference to our environment.

“And with discount vouchers of up to $150 towards new appliances available to a limited number of people, we’re encouraging people to get in to see us as early as possible on the recycling days,” adds Mr Gray.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances recycles over 40,000 kitchen and laundry appliances each year, helping ease the strain on natural resources and avoid potential future hazards associated with dumping into landfills.

Mr Gray says: “Taking these appliances out of use can save householders on energy costs while benefiting the environment at the same time. For example, outdated fridges are much less energy efficient than new ones, and can use up to three times more electricity.

“We estimate there are thousands of old and inefficient appliances throughout New Zealand, so the potential to save energy and money is huge.”
Mike Underhill, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says: “These recycling days are a fantastic initiative. People often hang on to these appliances because it is a hassle to get rid of them. People who replace their old, inefficient appliances with more energy efficient models will save electricity and money – and there is a benefit to the environment.
“When replacing appliances, EECA recommends that people buy ENERGY STAR qualified models. The ENERGY STAR mark means that it is in the top 25% of the most energy efficient appliances – and Fisher & Paykel are one of our partners who carry ENERGY STAR appliances”.
The recycling days add to Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ range of environmental initiatives, including a recycling centre that has been operating since 1993, recycling approximately 2,400 tonnes of appliances per year over the last three years.

In 2008, the company also ran a unique fridge retirement programme with EECA, which gave Auckland residents the opportunity to call Fisher & Paykel Appliances in to remove their old, inefficient refrigerators.

In addition, the company re-uses and/or recycles all of its packaging, conducts waste audits on materials that come out of its factories and all of its garden waste is mulched on site and reused.

On Fisher & Paykel Appliances Recycling Days, the following items will be accepted:

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Washers (top and front loading)
• Dryers
• Dishwashers
• Ovens (wall and freestanding)
• Cooktops (gas and electric)
• Rangehoods
• Waste disposal units
• Microwaves

Old appliances can be dangerous, so Fisher & Paykel Appliances representatives will de-gas them as needed. The company is not in a position to accept televisions, stereos, mobile telephones, computers or furniture.

For more information visit http://www.fp.co.nz/global/about-us/the-environment/recycling.cfm or call 0800 FPCARE.

Recycling Days drop off details:

Wellington: Saturday 28 February 8am to 4pm at 20 Gough St, Seaview Lower Hutt
Christchurch: Saturday 28 February 8am to 4pm at Fisher & Paykel Appliances, 79 Shands Rd, Hornby
Auckland: Saturday 7 March 8am to 4pm at Fisher & Paykel Appliances, East Tamaki (Entry via 14 Allens Rd)

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.

ENDS

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