Who is responsible for making sure refrigerant has been recovered from a household refrigerator before its…

Recovery requirements · EPA 608 Type I. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

The small-appliance definition and the recovery levels required.

The question

Who is responsible for making sure refrigerant has been recovered from a household refrigerator before its final disposal?

• AThe company that originally designed, built and sold the refrigerator
• BThe local electric utility that ran a turn-in program
• CThe EPA Regional Office for that state
• DThe final processor, such as the scrap recycler or landfill operatorCorrect answer

Why “The final processor, such as the scrap recycler or landfill operator” is correct

Under 82.155(b), the final processor, the person who takes the final step in disposal, such as a scrap recycler or landfill operator, must either recover any remaining refrigerant or verify that it was recovered. Appliances like household refrigerators reach that point with their charge intact.

Source: 40 CFR 82.155(b); EPA: Safe Disposal Requirements

Why the other answers are wrong

• The company that originally designed, built and sold the refrigerator — The manufacturer has no duty at disposal; the rule puts it on the final person in the disposal chain.
• The local electric utility that ran a turn-in program — A utility may collect appliances but is not the party named in the rule unless it is the final processor.
• The EPA Regional Office for that state — EPA enforces the rule but does not recover refrigerant or verify individual appliances.

Practice more of this

More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.