Under the agreement, Remploy will set up the first outlet in Scotland for the refurbishing of fridges and freezers. Remploy will refurbish fridges which are in a reasonable condition and will strip down those which cannot be repaired. Non-refurbishable fridges will be stored until the recycling and disposal units to remove the CFCs from the foam insulation, are set up later in the year. Remploy's unit, which is based at the organisation's new Glasgow factory, should receive its first consignment of fridges within the next two weeks.
A spokesman for Remploy explained how the organisation is looking at how it can work with the council. He said: “We will collect fridges from civic amenity sites, but we are also looking at different ways of obtaining fridges.” Although it is unlikely that Remploy will collect directly from households, the organisation could work with other companies who will collect the fridges from households. This would minimise the problems associated with civic amenity site collection which leaves fewer fridges in a condition suitable for refurbishment as a result of poor care and exposure to the weather.
Scotland's shadow deputy minister for the environment, Fiona McLeod, recognising the employment and environmental impact of the Remploy announcement, said: “Remploy must be applauded for taking the initiative in Scotland with regards to the recycling and disposal of white goods, particularly fridges and freezers. Remploy are currently working in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council to try and reduce the burgeoning 'f;ridge mountain' that will be caused by the new legislation regarding the disposal of such items introduced in the United Kingdom on January 1 this year.”
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