Wingecarribee Fridge Buyback trial ending soon
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s trial of the energy saving Fridge Buybackprogram is to end on 19 August.
The trial, the first of its kind in rural NSW, is looking at the feasibility of bringing the Fridge Buyback program to more parts of rural and regional NSW.
Under the Fridge Buyback program, eligible residents are entitled to a $35 rebate when they turn off and turn in their old regularly used second fridges at Wingecarribee Council’s Resource Recovery Centre in Moss Vale.
Older second fridges use up to three times the energy of today’s models, costing households an average of $225 a year on their power bills.
“So far more than 40 families have given up their second fridges and many more have indicated they intend to. I encourage as many residents as possible to turn in their second fridges before the trial ends on 19 August,” said Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Halstead.
“We want to ensure that the trial is as successful as possible to ensure that the program can continue both in Wingecarribee and other rural areas of NSW in the future.”
There are still an estimated 6,000 old second fridges guzzling energy in garages and sheds across the Shire, each one resulting in about a tonne of carbon pollution a year.
“If every one of these fridges were taken out of circulation, it would save more than $1.3 million on residents’ power bills and 6,000 tonnes of carbon pollution a year,” Councillor Halstead said.
Every fridge is professionally degassed and the metals recycled.
Fridge Buyback began in Sydney in 2006 and has since expanded to Illawarra, the Shoalhaven, Central Coast and the Blue Mountains.
To be eligible for Fridge Buyback, second fridges must be in regular use, at least 10 years old and at least 250 litres in size.
To participate visit www.fridgebuyback.com.au or call 1800 708 401to confirm your eligibility and make a booking to drop off your second fridge.
Council’s Resource Recovery Centre is located on Berrima Road, Moss Vale and is open 7.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 4.00pm weekends.