Tipmont REMC Offers Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program

Tipmont REMC Offers Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program

Free Pickup, No Paperwork, $35 Reward, No Purchase Necessary

A refrigerator recycling program that pays people $35 for each unit scheduled for free pickup has been expanded to the members of Tipmont REMC, offering many Indiana residents the opportunity to make money, save money, and get rid of unnecessary and inefficient refrigerators and freezers. Tipmont REMC is joining forces with our power supplier, Wabash Valley Power to offer this program.

In addition to the $35 reward, the program will also benefit members of the cooperative by allowing them to save up to $150 a year in energy costs as a result of lower electricity usage. Typically, the appliances recycled through the program are outdated units used for extra storage and kept in garages and basements. But the convenience of chilling an extra six-pack and some leftovers can come with a steep price. Refrigerators manufactured before 1990 can use three times more electricity than new appliances.

“If your spring cleaning plans include the garage or basement, getting rid of that old clunker refrigerator or freezer gives you a great head start in freeing up space, saving more money, and getting paid $35 just for letting us move it out and haul it away,” said Jim Clark, Tipmont REMC Energy Advisor.

The refrigerator recycling program is not a traditional rebate program because there is no purchase of a new appliance necessary. To receive the $35 reward, people who qualify only have to schedule a pickup time to have their old, working refrigerator removed. Appliance recycler JACO Environmental will then recycle refrigerators through a process that returns 95 percent of their material back into the manufacturing stream. It also safely extracts various toxic components that are found inside refrigerators, including contaminated oils, mercury and CFCs that both deplete the ozone layer and accelerate global warming.

“Having an older fridge picked up for recycling is an easy way to make money, reduce monthly expenses and do your part to protect the environment,” said Michael Dunham, director of energy and environmental programs for JACO.

To schedule the pickup of a refrigerator or freezer for recycling, call 1-877-395-5535 or visit www.Tipmont.org. Members will receive a check for $35 within four to six weeks after the collection of the appliance. Refrigerators and freezers to be recycled must be in working order with an inside measurement of 10-30 cubic feet.

Wabash Valley Power cooperatives participating in this program include: Carroll County REMC, Central Indiana Power, Citizens Electric Corporation, Fulton County REMC, Hendricks Power Cooperative, Jasper County REMC, Jay County REMC, Kankakee Valley REMC, Kosciusko REMC, LaGrange County REMC, Marshall County REMC, Miami-Cass REMC, MJM Electric Cooperative, Northeastern REMC, Parke County REMC, Paulding-Putnam EC, Tipmont REMC, and White County REMC.