Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) has joined the global community in celebrating World Refrigeration Day.
As the world acknowledges the vital role of refrigeration in modern society, RRA reiterates its commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible refrigerant management.
Since its establishment, RRA has been at the forefront of Australia’s efforts to manage and mitigate the environmental impact of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs).
Funded by an industry levy, RRA has developed a comprehensive system for collecting, storing, and destroying contaminated, surplus, and unwanted refrigerants.
Through the collective efforts of the refrigeration industry and RRA’s infrastructure, significant environmental milestones have been achieved.
Most recently, RRA celebrated the disposal of over 10,000,000 kilos of refrigerant preventing more than 10 million tonnes of stratospheric ozone from being destroyed and averting the emission of over 18.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
This abatement is equivalent to taking 238,000 vehicles off the road every year, according to RRA general manager, Kylie Farrelley.
“The significance of World Refrigeration Day lies in its recognition of the vital role refrigeration plays in our daily lives and the environment,” she said.
“For RRA, this day underscores the crucial importance of responsible refrigerant management and our commitment to safeguarding the planet for future generations.
“As we celebrate World Refrigeration Day, we highlight the critical role that refrigerant recovery and the industry plays in protecting our environment and ensuring a viable future- often through recovering refrigerant a kilo at a time.”
Farrelley said RRA's initiatives go beyond recovering refrigerants and play a crucial role in advancing worldwide environmental goals.
The destruction of refrigerants is carried out using advanced technology including the argon plasma-arc furnace, which ensures that harmful chemicals are broken down safely, resulting in harmless byproducts.
“This process underscores RRA’s commitment to innovation and environmental protection,” Farrelley said.
Moreover, RRA supports the industry by sharing the costs of recovering refrigerants through a rebate system. Technicians and wholesalers across Australia participate in this program, ensuring that refrigerants are collected from over 500 locations nationwide.
This collaborative effort ensures that refrigerants are managed responsibly from their recovery to their final destruction.
“World Refrigeration Day serves as a reminder of the importance of refrigeration in our daily lives and the necessity of sustainable practices in the industry,” she said.
“As the world moves towards greener and more environmentally friendly solutions, RRA remains dedicated to its mission of reducing the environmental impact of refrigerants and supporting Australia’s international environmental obligations.”
For more information on World Refrigeration Day and events happening in your area, visit: World Refrigeration Day | 26th June