Recology Eel River is a licensed appliance recycler. We remove any hazardous materials from the appliances before they are baled and shipped to market. Major appliances or “white goods” (clothes washers/dryers, refrigerators, ovens, water heaters, air conditioners, etc) become valuable sources of scrap metal when they are no longer wanted.

DROP OFF
Drop off your appliances at the following locations (fees apply):

• Fortuna Transfer Station
• Redway Transfer Station

DONATE
If it’s possible that some of your items are in working conditions and could find a new life, please consider donating to a non-profit in Humboldt County. Not only will you be helping divert items from the landfill – you will also be helping a great organization!

RECYCLING STEEL APPLIANCES

Washing Machines, Water Heaters, Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Dryers…

Recycled steel content of appliances
By weight, the typical appliance consists of about 60 percent steel. This steel is recyclable, as is all steel, and is recycled daily. The steel used in appliances is made with a minimum of 25 percent recycled steel. In addition, internal steel components may be made using either 25 percent or more than 90 percent recycled steel—depending on the grade of steel and steelmaking process. For this reason, all appliances contain recycled steel and are recyclable when they have reached the end of their current role. After being recycled the steel recovered from these appliances can be made into different steel products and their continuous life cycle runs on, as steel has no memory and can be recycled into any other steel product. This is known as open-loop recycling.

Nationwide recycling efforts
Appliances with steel content are simply too valuable to landfill, and would take up a considerable amount of our nation’s valuable landfill space. As a result, a vast infrastructure has been developed around the recycling of end-of-service steel appliances, as well as other steel materials. Recycling programs are constantly adding appliances to their accepted materials because of the value in maintaining this sustainable cycle. Local communities, counties and even statewide programs have been created to increase steel appliance recycling. Many locations offer rebates for the purchase of new, efficient ENERGY STAR appliances as well.

Environmental benefits
Recycling steel conserves energy and natural resources. In a year, the steel industry saves the equivalent energy to electrically power about 18 million households for that same amount of time. By recycling one ton of steel, 2500 pounds of iron ore, 1400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone are conserved. The Clean Air Act of 1990 mandated that prior to recycling or disposal, chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) contained in air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers be removed for recycling.

Landfill bans
All 50 states contribute to recycling appliances, with some working more aggressively than others to avoid unnecessary waste in landfills with these recyclable items. The purpose of these bans is to extend the life of the nation’s landfills and to encourage private industry and the public sector to implement recycling of these goods. The large size of these appliances may make it seem more difficult than simple steel can recycling in the home but it’s also the size of these steel products that make it so important to treat them as a valuable, reusable material rather than waste or garbage.