Supporting the Introduction of a Refrigerator Recycling Programme, including a demonstration facility, in Brazil

Almost every tenth refrigerator in Brazil is older than 16 years. The problem is that the old appliances operate with climate-damaging fluorinated gases (F-gases), which not only escape during use, they also enter the atmosphere during conventional disposal. The project was setting up an exemplary recycling system for old refrigerators in Brazil. The most important part of this system is a pilot plant that recycles several thousand refrigerators a year. It recovers the greenhouse gases contained in the cooling circuits and in the insulating foam. Training and qualification measures were carried out for the operation and maintenance of the plant. The project also replaced old appliances with new F-gas-free refrigerators. Subject to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), emission certificates can be obtained through the recycling and the replacement of the old appliances. In addition, the project advised the responsible authorities on the introduction and updating of relevant national standards and norms.

Project data

Countries: Brazil
IKI funding: 7,391,751.00 €
Duration: 11/2008 till 05/2024
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Brazilian Association of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) - Brazil
Implementing Partner: Electricity Company of Minas Gerais - Brazil

Revert Brasil

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
Recycling plant with an annual capacity for 350,000 refrigerators has been installed, accepted and commissioned.
Dissemination of standards and norms: Standard ABNT NBR 15833 "Reverse manufacturing - Refrigeration apparatus".
Training of the operating company's staff on the environmentally sound and safe operation of the recycling facility has been conducted.
After more than nine years of negotiation, the sector agreement for waste electronic and electrical equipment was signed at the end of October 2021, laying the foundation for the implementation of the new Solid Waste Management Policy in Brazil. In 2021, the establishment of collection points for waste electrical and electronic equipment has begun.
The cooperation with energy suppliers ensures the recycling of around 30,000 refrigerators annually.
218,065 recycled refrigerators, recovery of 30,904 kg of ozone-depleting and climate-damaging substances, destruction of 2.6t in a national plant, avoidance of direct emissions of 155,663 t CO2 eq.

Latest Update:
12/2024