Recycle Your Appliances

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Appliance Recycling Initiative?

The Appliance Recycling Initiative is an energy efficiency program designed to reduce energy usage by removing less efficient refrigerators and freezers from residences across participating communities. The initiative will include scheduling and free appliance pick-up at the customer's home, transportation of the collected units to a recycling facility, and recovery and recycling of appliance materials along with an incentive for each unit recycled.

Is Efficiency Smart™ offering an incentive as part of this program?

Customers will receive free removal and recycling of their appliance, as well as an incentive of $50 per appliance for participation, with a limit of two units recycled per calendar year.

Who can participate?

participating communities are eligible to participate in this initiative. Customer's must own the appliance and may only recycle two units per account, per calendar year.

What Appliances qualify?

Secondary refrigerators and freezers. Appliances must be between 10-30 cubic feet, readily accessible for removal, plugged-in, demonstrated to be working and empty at the time of collection. The appliance(s) must be located at the customer's property at the time of pickup.

How do I know if my refrigerator or freezer is between 10 and 30 cubic feet?

Use this online tool to calculate your unit's size.

Will other appliances be accepted?

Currently only working secondary refrigerators and freezers are accepted through the initiative.

What happens to the refrigerator and/or freezer once collected?

The units are sent to a local qualified recycling facility where 95 percent of the material is recycled, and hazardous waste is disposed of in an environmentally safe manner; in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program.

How am I able to schedule my Appliance for pickup?

Customers are able to schedule collection of their unit online or by calling 855-695-5296.

How long will it take to receive my incentive?

Approximately four-to-six weeks.

Can I drop off my appliance at the recycling center?

No, the recycling facility is not open to customers.

Do I have to be present at the time of pick-up?

Customers are responsible for having an authorized adult, age 18 or older, present at the time of the scheduled pick-up. The customer, or customer's representative, must sign a form to release liability and ownership of the appliances for removal and recycling. The customer will receive a signed receipt from the removal team.

How will I know if my appliance qualifies for the program?

Appliances must be between 10-30 cubic feet, readily accessible for removal, plugged-in, demonstrated to be working and empty at the time of collection. The appliance(s) must be located at the customer's property at the time of pick-up. Customers scheduling either online or by phone will need to answer a series of questions about the appliance(s) to determine whether or not their appliance(s) qualify for the program before the scheduling process is finalized.

Who is JACO Environmental?

JACO Environmental is Efficiency Smart's partner for this program. JACO is one of the nation's largest recyclers of major household appliances for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities, and currently provides services for more than 300 utility programs in the U.S. and Canada. JACO representatives will be scheduling pick-ups and recycling units for this program.

How are collection dates and times established?

When calling or scheduling online, customers will be able to choose from several pickup dates specific to their location. 48 hours prior to the scheduled collection date, a representative will contact the customer to provide a four hour window for a collection time. On the customer's scheduled collection date, collectors will contact customers while in route to confirm appointment times.

What should I do to prepare for my pickup appointment?

Make sure your appliance is empty, plugged in and cooling. Any water lines need to be disconnected. Also, make sure the pickup crew has clear access to enter the home to remove the appliance. This may mean moving any furniture or valuables to allow plenty of room for the crew to maneuver the appliance. Also, if any doors need to be removed from their hinges for the appliance to fit through the doorway, we ask that customers have these areas cleared prior to the crew's arrival. Our customer service center can answer specific questions regarding accessibility.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

If you have any additional questions, please call 855-695-5296.