Because of a lack of data and the relatively recent introduction of legislation requiring the collection of CFCs there are currently no specific standards set by the Environment Agency for the capturing of fridge gases. Standards do exist, however, for the measuring of CFCs captured within fridge recovery plants.
Now, the Agency has said that it aims to complete an audit of plants and gases within fridges by the end of March 2004. After the results have been assessed standards will be considered but any earlier setting of standards per fridge is seen as unlikely and would have the potential to cause confusion.
” The conditions enshrined within the standard licence ensure that site performance is set against emissions to atmosphere. “
– Environment Agency
A technical explanation of the current standards for recovery at the plants has been given by the Agency. It told letsrecycle.com: “The Ozone Depleting Substances Regulations require that Member States must prevent the release of existing ODS and ensure its recovery. The conditions enshrined within the standard licence ensure that site performance is set against fugitive and final mass emissions to atmosphere. These regulate and control the release of ODS whilst fulfilling the requirements of Waste Management Paper 4, and set an enforceable standard.”
Controversy
The amount of CFCs captured by the plants has caused some controversy within recent weeks. Much of this has stemmed from claims by RAL, an organisation which would like to see its German-based standard for CFC recovery adopted in the UK.
RAL has made strong allegations about the amount of gases recovered by UK fridge plant operators and has also levelled a number of allegations about UK plants.
The comments by RAL have prompted some concerns within industry and government that the current situation might be misinterpreted. Some experts consider that a substantial investment has been made within the UK and good progress is being made – so the Agency audit is the way forward. It is understood that the UK is not in breach of any EU requirements and that the recovery of gases is being closely monitored. One potential area of concern is the handling of fridges before they arrive at the plants – if they arrive damaged this could be releasing CFCs.
Within the recycling sector, fridges are now effectively becoming a commodity and prices for handling the fridges have fallen to as low as 10 a unit. Accordingly, less are said to be being exported as UK plants look to ensure they have sufficient throughput.
A factor in this is the number of plants. There are now 12 licensed plants and another five under consideration by the Agency. This number is seen as providing more than enough capacity to deal with fridges discarded each year.
Differences
Analysis within the sector by one fridge plant firm has thrown up differences in recovery levels with figures suggesting recovery ranges from 250g of CFCs per unit to about 60g or lower.
There is recognition among the plant operators of this variability. One said: ” This technically is not the fault of the fridge recycling plants as they are trying to compete in a market which is cost based, i.e. who wants to pay more than is necessary to get rid of waste. Thus the prices keep tumbling and the tenders go to the lowest price.”
Attention has also been drawn to the fridge issue in recent months due to problems, such as fires, at fridge storage plants. There are 40 licensed storage sites (30 of which are pending) and the Agency said that it has taken enforcement action where standards were not being met.
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