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Did you know that approximately 300,000 appliances are left by the side of the road each year in Quebec?
These appliances are not recycled responsibly, and each one generates an average of 1 tonne of GHGs in the environment, equivalent to more than 100,000 extra cars on Quebec roads every year.
“Leaving an old fridge or air conditioner by the side of the road is something from another era, like refusing to wear a seatbelt or smoking in a restaurant [. . .]”
What are the best ways of ensuring responsible appliance disposal? Here are three practical tips for getting rid of your old fridge in an eco-friendly way.
Before getting rid of your old fridge, ask yourself this: can it be repaired? By extending the useful life of your fridge, you avoid using the raw materials needed to manufacture a new appliance. You have two possible repair options:
There are a number of fridge repair services in Quebec that can help you decide whether your refrigerator can be repaired, and how much it will cost.
To find professional help for your refrigerator repair, we recommend checking out the appliance repairers’ list, which identifies 720 tested appliance repairers.
You can also:
If you want to repair your refrigerator yourself, you can order several appliance parts in store or online.
This is a preferred approach for simple repairs, such as changing a seal, a broken shelf or a burnt lightbulb.
In any case, it’s important that DIY repairs avoid contact with the ducts or cooling system of the refrigerator because the ducts contain halocarbons. If your fridge no longer cools, you need the help of a refrigeration repair professional. We recommend following the manufacturer’s user guide.
A list of locations where you can do your own repairs and have access to tools and expertise is also available on the Protégez-Vous interactive map of appliance repairers.
You’ve finally decided to change your old fridge. How do you go about getting rid of your old refrigerator responsibly? You’ve got two options:
Several online classified ad sites exist to sell your old fridge. It’s a good way to ensure your appliance pickup free of charge by an individual, and to make a bit of money. Several users search for “used ridge for sale” on classified ad sites, hoping to find a rare gem.
The most popular classified ad sites in Quebec are:
A good way of getting rid of your old fridge that still works is to pass it on. You’ll make someone else happy and you’ll get rid of your fridge quickly, while being environmentally friendly.
You have two options:
Has your fridge reached the point where nobody wants it? Giving it to GoRecycle so that it can be properly recycled is one of the best ways of fighting climate change. There are two ways to do the right thing:
Over 300 drop-off points (including ecocentres, recycling centres and sorting centres) exist in Quebec to ensure that your refrigerator is recycled responsibly.
The refrigerator recycling service is free. Simply check out GoRecycle’s drop-off point locator to find the location nearest you, and bring in your old fridge. Make sure that to check that:
Decided to buy a new refrigerator? Over 100 retailers offer free removal and recycling of your old refrigerator with the purchase of a new one.
Check out the list of retailers that partner with GoRecycle to offer free pickup service with purchase before you shop for your next appliance. This ensures that your old appliance will be responsibly recycled.
Has your fridge reached the point where nobody wants it? Giving it to GoRecycle so that it can be properly recycled is one of the best ways of fighting climate change.
GoRecycle is the only organization recognized by RECYC-QUÉBEC that ensures the responsible recycling of cooling appliances in Quebec. We recycle refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, wine coolers, dehumidifiers and water coolers through over 300 drop-off points in Quebec, and over 100 banner pickup partners with the purchase of a new fridge. GoRecycle is a non-profit organization (NPO).
