2011 Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program

Beginning in March 2011, Jackson County REMC will offer an appliance recycling program for refrigerators and freezers. The program is being sponsored by Hoosier Energy, the REMC’s wholsesale power supplier.

REMC members will be offered a $30.00 incentive to recycle their secondary refrigerators and deep freezers with a maximum of two appliances.

Hoosier Energy has set a goal to collect 1,500 appliances for recycling from the members of its participating distribution cooperatives.

Program requirements

Refrigerators and freezers must meet the following requirements to qualify for the recycling program:

  -Equipment must be in working order and in use.

  -Equipment must be between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size (using inside measurements).

Appliance recycler JACO Environmental will be handling the program for Hoosier Energy. JACO is a leading North American recycler that is currently operating more than 30 programs in the United States, with four programs located in Indiana.

How to schedule pick-up of a refrigerator or freezer

REMC members wishing to schedule a pickup can either call the JACO call center’s statewide toll free number (1-877-395-5535) or click here for the JACO website.

During scheduling, JACO will verify the caller’s membership with the REMC. Members will be given a selection of days to schedule the pickup, usually two weeks to a month away after the initial call. JACO will contact the participant between 24 and 48 hours in advance of the selected pickup date to ensure that a household member will be present upon the recycler’s arrival.

The appliance must be operating in order for the recycler to verify functionality. Once functionality is confirmed, the recycler will cut the cord and mark the exterior of the unit to ensure that it does not go back into operation before it reaches the recycling center.

Rebate checks will be issued by JACO a few weeks after the pick-up is made.

Please note that this program is subject to withdrawal by Hoosier Energy without notice.

Why a recycling program?

According to the Energy Star website, if your current refrigerator was made before 1993, it uses twice the amount of energy used by new models.

Many homes have older refrigerators in the garage or basement for overflow storage. You can save from $300.00 to $700.00 over the next five years by eliminating the second refrigerator. This will also help prevent 5,500 to 20,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. The removal of these appliances will also benefit your REMC and Hoosier Energy by helping reduce the need to add future, and more expensive, electric generating capacity. In the long run, this helps avoid future wholesale and retail rate increases.

Want to learn more about how you can save energy in your home? Visit the Energy Star website and click on the “Products” bar, then follow the “Save Energy At Home” tabs to find an interactive program that will show how you can reduce your energy use.