Dive Brief:
- Utility companies in Northeastern Pennsylvania offered consumers cash incentives to replace inefficient older appliances.
- In 2008, Pennsylvania's Act 129 was signed into law, prompting increased recycling efforts in order to promote energy savings and create reduction goals for electric companies.
- The program has recycled over 200,000 refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners.
Dive Insight:
Replacing old appliances was the solution to the energy reduction goals set for the state, as outdated models use three times more energy to operate than new appliances. Companies which participated in the program include PP&L and UGI. Other creative initiatives have been offered in the past to promote getting rid of old appliances. The utility companies provide transportation of the old appliances to a Washington-based facility for processing. Up to 95 percent of the materials can be reused to produce new products.