Program gives cash to recycle refrigerators, freezers - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

There's a new way to recycle your old refrigerator and put a little cash in your pocket.

The free recycling program with JACO Environmental is working with IPL and Duke Energy customers to recycle old refrigerators and freezers. It can earn you $30 for your old appliance.

"We go out, pick these units up at customers' homes, bring them here and separate over 95 percent of the materials that went into making the product," said Michael Dunham, JACO Environmental.

Workers harvest the materials, including steel, copper, plastic and glass.

"That's the 4-5 pounds of aluminum found in a refrigerator," Dunham said next to some of the recycled materials.

Even the foam insulation in the walls is recycled.

The old refrigerators were probably costing you money at home, accounting for up to 20 percent of your electricity bill.

"The old refrigerators that we pick up are what we refer to as 'energy hogs'," said Dunham. "An average kilowatt consumption is about 1,500 a year. Compared to the ones you can buy today, which is about 400."

The recycler says the program not only keeps old appliances from ending up in landfills, but it's also providing a boost to the community.

"Not only in the jobs, but we rented space here, our trucks fill up at the local filling stations to go out to all parts of Indiana, and so we're stimulating the economy," Dunham said.

JACO Environmental website