Green Daily

While I can appreciate that there are situations when it makes ecological sense to stop using a product and replacing it with a new one, I really miss a description of those particular conditions.

Re-using is great, it is more important though to tell people WHEN it makes sense to do this. It is not a simple decision by any means. It takes energy and resources to make a new refrigerator and a fridge may not be bad enough yet to justify the expenses in energy required for a new one. You need to tell your readers that a fridge that uses more than (fill in the blank) watt hours can be replaced by a new fridge which will begin using less energy overall in (fill in the blank) years. The energy use at your home is just a part of the equation.

I do not know those numbers either. I came to read this hoping you would. I like to do the right thing knowing the conditions under which it makes sense to do it - not because I heard I should do it. It is the same with many products (e.g. cars).

By the way, an old refrigerator is (by weight) mostly made from steel. The steel can be recycled just fine. Depending on the age of the fridge there may not be much plastic. Maybe some glass shelves. The glass can be recycled well too. Just bring it to the recycling center or whatever place takes refrigerators in your area. You have to bring it there anyways to get rid of the cooling liquids properly.

Don't cut the tubing in the back or any other tubing! You will release the cooling liquid/gas which is VERY DAMAGING to the ozone layer if it really is an old fridge.

Karsten
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http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice To Pollute Less

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Well, there are some general ideas. But no WHYs or data.

And comments following the article you linked are good. They talk about repairing the items.

I am still not convinced. I need data that may not be available. Who really knows how much energy it takes to make anything from conception to resource recycling?

Karsten

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In Vermont, landlords can get a $150 rebate off a new Energy-Star refrigerator with proof of junking the old one.

Prior to junking my old one, I have:
1) removed the electrical cord: a good 3-prong cord for future projects.
2) taken out the shelves. These are great plastic-coated adjustable shelves! Since mine are in good condition, I am going to mount them in my tenant's laundry area.
3) saved the ice cube trays.
4) reused the clear plastic drawer as a mini-greenhouse for seedlings. Put it upside down over a seedling tray and drill a few holes for ventilation.

Additionally, the doors could be reused as magnetic boards in a home-office setting.

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