Council to host trial of Fridge Buyback scheme
Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to launch the energy saving Fridge Buyback scheme in the Southern Highlands on Thursday 17 March.
Under the program, eligible residents are entitled to a $35 rebate when they turn in their old second fridges free-of-charge at Wingecarribee Council’s Resource Recovery Centre in Moss Vale.
Bernard Carlon, head of Sustainability Programs at the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW said fridges are one of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home, and consequently, getting rid of an old fridge would help save power, money and emissions.
“With the support of Wingecarribee Shire Council, we are very pleased to expand the program with this rural trial. Older second fridges often use up to three times the energy of today’s models, costing households hundreds of dollars in power bills every year,” Mr Carlon said.
Today’s launch is the first time the carbon reduction program has been trialed in rural NSW.
Wingecarribee Mayor Ken Halstead said the Fridge Buyback Scheme, operated by Next Energy and funded through the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund, complements Wingecarribee Shire Council’s existing philosophy to help residents live more sustainably.
“There are an estimated 6,000 old second fridges guzzling energy in garages and sheds across our Shire, each costing up to $225 every year in power bills. 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,” he said.
“Under the Fridge Buyback Program, you get paid for turning in your old unwanted fridge. The fridge is then professionally degassed to destroy all refrigerant gases and all the metals are recycled,” the Mayor added.
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, fridges must be in regular use as a second fridge, at least 10 years old and at least 250 litres in size.
To participate visit www.fridgebuyback.com.au or call 1800 708 401 to confirm your eligibility and make a booking to drop off your fridge.
Fridge Buyback is part of the NSW Climate Change fund rebate program.
For further details visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates.