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Refrigerant incentive program begins

RRA (July 1, 2013): From July 1, 2013 refrigeration contractors will receive $4.50 per kilogram for waste refrigerant gases collected for destruction.

The increase, which is paid via the Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) recovery program, is part of the Federal Government’s Destruction Incentives Program for waste synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) and ozone depleting (ODS) refrigerants.

It was introduced to encourage contractors to recover and return waste refrigerant for destruction in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Destruction Incentive Payment is part of the Federal Government’s Clean Energy Future Plan and is designed to meet Australia’s commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.

Refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians and contractors are on the front line of industry’s efforts to reduce emissions.

While there are regulations, conditions and codes that make it illegal to emit SGG and ODS refrigerants, it is the technicians and contractors who directly influence the amount of refrigerant that is recovered.

In addition to the increased payment, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities said it will focus on increasing compliance and the enforcement of regulations and licence conditions.

Anyone working without a licence or not complying with the law will be at greater risk of
prosecution.

The Department is also undertaking a study into the potential for recycling end-of-life products such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

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