The Cost of Cold Air - Environmental Problems of Home Appliance Recycling Plants and Freon 2002-2025

The Cost of Cold Air - Environmental Problems of Home Appliance Recycling Plants and Freon 2002-2025

Situation in 2002
The Home Appliance Recycling Law, enacted in 2001, mandates the proper disposal of CFCs contained in air conditioners and refrigerators. However, it was discovered in early 2002 that one of the home appliance recycling plants in the Kansai region was illegally releasing CFCs into the atmosphere.

The facility did not properly recover CFCs from collected home appliances and conducted destruction treatment with inadequately maintained facilities. As a result, large quantities of CFCs were released into the atmosphere, raising concerns about their impact on global warming and ozone layer depletion. Originally, recovery to high-pressure sealed tanks and the use of destruction equipment were mandatory, but it was pointed out that inappropriate treatment may have been carried out to avoid capital investment.

The Ministry of the Environment conducted an on-site inspection in response to this issue. As a result of the investigation, it was confirmed that there were instances of leakage of CFC recovery and failure to use appropriate treatment equipment. The recycler was found to be in violation of the law and was ordered to improve its operations. In addition, the Ministry called for tighter monitoring of the entire home appliance recycling industry, and the thorough recovery of CFCs and updating of equipment emerged as an issue for the industry.

This incident led to consideration of revisions to the CFC Recovery and Destruction Law in 2003, and stricter management standards for home appliance recycling plants were promoted. Thus, the problem of illegal release of CFCs was an important turning point that led to a review of the legal system and the strengthening of environmental regulations.

Current Status in 2025

Strengthening of Legal Regulations
The Fluorocarbons Emission Control Law prohibits "reckless release" of fluorocarbons, and anyone who intentionally releases fluorocarbons is subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 500,000 yen. In addition, the Home Appliance Recycling Law requires the proper collection of CFCs, and handing over waste home appliances to illegal waste collectors may result in the risk of release or leakage of hazardous substances and illegal dumping.

Current Status and Challenges of Home Appliance Recycling Plants
In recent years (FY2023), approximately 2,493 tons of refrigerant CFCs from air conditioners and 111 tons of refrigerant CFCs from electric refrigerators and freezers were collected and properly processed. However, there are cases of improper storage and disposal of waste home appliances by illegal waste collectors, and there are still concerns about the dispersal of hazardous substances and the release of CFC gas.

Osaka Prefecture and other authorities are alerting citizens to the improper disposal of waste home appliances by illegal collectors and encouraging them to use legitimate recycling routes. This has promoted proper disposal of CFCs and reduction of environmental burdens, but has not completely solved the problem.

SUMMARY
The illegal release of CFCs at home appliance recycling plants in 2002 triggered the strengthening of environmental regulations in Japan. Since then, the CFC Emission Control Law and the Home Appliance Recycling Law have been tightened, and proper treatment is now required. Actions are required to be taken.

This issue is an example of the evolution of environmental policy toward a sustainable society, and highlights the future challenge of proper disposal through cooperation between companies and citizens.

Related Information

Laws and Regulations Concerning the Proper Treatment of Fluorocarbons and Status of Recycling
- Ministry of the Environment "Q&A on the Law for CFC Emission Control
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry "Home Appliance Recycling Guidebook 2021 Edition
- FY2023 actual recycling of home appliances (2,493 tons of refrigerant CFCs for air conditioners and 111 tons of refrigerant CFCs for refrigerators and freezers)
- Osaka Prefecture "Alert to Illegal Waste Collection Agencies" (Japanese only)

Utilizing this information, we are expected to promote proper disposal of CFCs and reduction of environmental burdens.