RECOVERY & RECYCLING

SYSTEMS

GUIDELINES

Phasing out ODS in Developing Countries

REFRIGERATION SECTOR

Multilateral Fund for the Implementation

of the Montreal Protocol

United Nation Environment Programme

Division of Industry, Technology & Economics
OzonAction Programme
UNEP OzonAction Programme
 Phasing out ODS In Developing Countries

RECOVERY & RECYCLING

SYSTEMS

GUIDELINES

REFRIGERATION SECTOR

1999

United Nations Environment Programme

Division of Technology, Industry & Economics
OzonAction Programme
Tour Mirabeau
UNEP 39-43 Quai André Citroën
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France

Multilateral Fund for the Implementation

of the Montreal Protocol
1800 McGill College Avenue, 27th Floor
Montreal, Quebec H3A 3JC
Canada
 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

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UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION

ISBN 92-807-1691-3

Disclaimer
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the author and the reviewers of this
document and their employees do not endorse the performance, worker safety, or environmental
acceptability of any of the technical or policy options described in this document.

While the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, it is of necessity presented

in a summary and general fashion. The decision to implement one of the options presented in
this document requires careful consideration of a wide range of situation-specific parameters,
many of which may not be addressed by this document. Responsibility for this decision and all
its resulting impacts rests exclusively with the individual or entity choosing to implement the
option.

UNEP, the author, the reviewers and their employees do not make any warranty or representation,
either expressed or implied, with respect to its accuracy, completeness or utility; nor do they
assume any liability for events resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, any information,
material or procedure described herein, including but not limited to any claims regarding health,
safety, environmental effects, efficacy, performance, or cost made by the source of information.

The reviewers listed in this guide have reviewed one or more interim drafts of this guide, but
have not reviewed this final version. These reviewers are not responsible for any errors, which
may be present in this document, or for any effects, which may result from such errors.

2 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements
This project was managed by:

Ms. Jacqueline Aloisi de Larderel, Director

UNEP DTIE, France

Mr. Rajendra Shende, Chief

UNEP DTIE's Energy & OzonAction Unit, France

Mr. Halvart Köppen, Training Officer

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme, France

The document was researched and written by:

Mr. Niels Juul Busch, Consultant

RAMBOLL Environment, Denmark

The quality review was undertaken by:

Dr. L.R. Berkeley-Schultz

Industrial and Environmental Consultant, Spain

Dr. Denis Clodic

Centre d’Énergétique, École des Mines de Paris, France
Member of the UNEP TOC for Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pumps

Mr. Ronald Verch

Instructor for UNEP Training Programmes on Good Practices in Refrigeration
and Recovery & Recycling, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Canada

The preparation of this document has involved extensive consultations with and assistance from
a wide range of government organisations and individuals from developing and developed
countries. It could not have been prepared without their input. UNEP DTIE wishes to thank all
contributors, especially the focal points of Ghana, Guatemala and Malaysia for helping to make
this document possible.

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 3

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

4 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Foreword

Foreword
Most CFCs in developing countries are used in refrigeration, and the majority Use of CFCs
of the consumption within the refrigeration sector is for maintenance and
servicing of CFC-containing equipment. Poor servicing procedures and the
absence of refrigerant recovery and recycling often lead to the emission
of a significant proportion of the refrigerants directly into the atmosphere.

The ozone layer, high in the Earth’s stratosphere, is vital to life on the planet’s Ozone layer
surface. It acts as a shield and prevents the harmful UV-radiation from protection
reaching the Earth. In the 1970s scientists discovered that the released
CFCs damage the ozone layer. In September 1987, nations around the
world concerned about the depletion of the ozone layer signed the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, a landmark agreement
that identified the major ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and established
a timetable for the reduction and eventual elimination of their use world-
wide.

The consumption of CFCs has been phased out in developed countries by Phase-out schedule
the beginning of 1996, except the about 10,000 tons required for essential
uses. Developing countries are given a grace period, and from July 1999
their first control measure - the freeze on the production and consumption
of Annex A CFCs at 1995-97 levels - has been effective. Total phase-out of
CFCs in these countries is to be achieved by 2010.

The phase-out of CFCs in the refrigeration sector in developing countries Phase-out strategy
is best achieved through an integrated national strategy that addresses
the key technical and policy issues – a ‘Refrigerant Management Plan’. Such
a plan includes – and prioritises – activities such as public awareness
campaigns, training and certification of service technicians, conversion
projects, establishment of refrigerant recovery and recycling (R&R) systems
and suitable policy and regulatory support frameworks, improvement of
data collection systems and control and monitoring of CFC consumption.

The supply of R&R equipment and the establishment of R&R systems alone
do not ensure the successful operation of such systems. They must be
supported by regulatory structures involving command and control tools
as well as incentives for the end-users.

The objective of these Guidelines is to help developing country governments Objective

and industry design and establish such R&R systems, and to operate them
efficiently. The establishment of such R&R systems represents a cost-effective
step in reducing the consumption of virgin CFC refrigerants without major
capital investment, and in allowing existing CFC-based equipment to run
until the end of its economic life.

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 5

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Further publications These Guidelines are part of a series of self-help guides produced by UNEP's
OzonAction Programme under the Multilateral Fund, in order to assist
developing countries to implement the Montreal Protocol. They should be
read and followed in conjunction with other similar publications prepared
by the OzonAction Programme, specifically:

• ODS Import/Export Licensing Systems

Policy Design and Setting Up of Legislation [12]
• Guidebook on Implementation of Codes of Good Practices -
Refrigeration Sector [13]
• Training Manual on Good Practices in Refrigeration [3]
• Training Manual on Chillers and Refrigerant Management [4].

More information can be found on the World Wide Web at:

http://www.unepie.org/ozonAction.html.

Mr. Rajendra Shende, Chief

UNEP DTIE, Energy & OzonAction Unit

6 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Keep in mind

Keep in mind…
Much of the Montreal Protocol’s success can be attributed to its ability to
evolve over time to reflect the latest environmental information and
technological and scientific developments. Through this dynamic process,
significant progress has been achieved globally in protecting the ozone
layer.

As a key agency involved in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol,

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme promotes knowledge management
in ozone layer protection through collective learning. There is much that
we can learn from one another in adopting the guidelines for recovery &
recycling of ozone depleting substances.

The guidelines for recovery & recycling systems are neither comprehensive
nor exhaustive. They are prepared based on limited experience in developed
and developing countries. As more experience is gained, by the world
community, the guidelines will become more and more extensive and
effective.

We encourage you to share your experiences with the OzonAction

Programme so that we can inform others involved in this issue about the
lessons you learned. Send us an e-mail, fax or letter about your experiences
and successes in recycling. We will consider it as an important part of
collective learning.

Based on the feedback and information received, UNEP will update these
guidelines on a periodic basis to reflect the latest developments. We will
also disseminate your experiences through a variety of channels, including
the OzonAction Newsletter and the OzonAction Programme’s website
(www.uneptie.org/ozonaction.html). If we use the information you provide,
we will send you a free copy of one of our videos, publications, posters or
CD-ROMs as thanks for your cooperation.

So take a pen and write to us. Let us learn collectively to protect the ozone
layer.

Energy & OzonAction Unit

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 7

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Contents
1. Introduction to the Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Target groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2. Setting the Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Refrigerant Management Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

3. Planning, Establishing and Operating R&R Systems . . . 19

Planning R&R systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Establishing R&R systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Operating R&R systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Monitoring and reviewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4. Collecting Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Analysis of existing refrigeration sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Analysis of the network for distributing refrigerants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Analysis of trends and future demands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Estimation of the potential for refrigerant recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

5. Designing R&R Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Decentralised R&R systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Centralised R&R systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Technical components of R&R systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Local assembly of R&R equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

6. Evaluating the Feasibility of R&R Systems . . . . . . . . . 41

Economic feasibility and performance criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Domestic refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Large commercial and industrial refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Mobile air-conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

7. Providing Regulatory Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Legislative framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Regulatory options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

8 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Contents

Annexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Annex 1: Experience from Ghana: CFC refrigerant recycling for domestic,
commercial and mobile refrigeration and air-conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Annex 2: Experience from Guatemala: CFC refrigerant recycling
for domestic,commercial and industrial refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Annex 3: Experience from Malaysia: CFC recycling for MAC sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Annex 4: Experience from Denmark: CFC recycling in all sectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Annex 5: List of approved R&R projects for refrigerants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Annex 6: Glossary & definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Annex 7: Further references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Annex 8: About the OzonAction Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
About the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics . . . . . . 86
Annex 9: Useful contact addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 9

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Common abbreviations

A/C Air-conditioning
CFC Chlorofluorocarbon
GWP Global Warming Potential
HCFC Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
HFC Hydrofluorocarbon
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development
LVC countries Low-volume-ODS-consuming countries
MAC Mobile air-conditioning
MFS Multilateral Fund Secretariat
NOU National Ozone Unit
ODP Ozone-depleting potential
ODS Ozone-depleting substance
OZAP OzonAction Programme
RMP Refrigerant Management Plan
R&R Recovery & Recycling
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
UNEP DTIE UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and
Economics
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation

10 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Introduction to these Guidelines

1. Introduction to these
Guidelines …

Objectives
The objective of these Guidelines is to help developing country governments Design and
and industry design and establish Recovery & Recycling systems (together establishment of R&R
with related legislation), and to operate them efficiently. The establishment systems
of such R&R systems represents a key step in reducing the consumption of
virgin CFC refrigerants without major capital investment, and in allowing
existing CFC-based equipment to run until the end of its economic life.

Successful R&R systems will make recovered or recycled refrigerant available Reuse of CFCs
for reuse, which will reduce the need for virgin CFC refrigerants and allow
existing CFC-based equipment to operate until the end of its economic life.
This is particularly important as virgin CFC refrigerants become increasingly
scarce and expensive – which they will do once the phase-out schedules
required by the Montreal Protocol come into force, and imports of CFCs
are controlled through licensing systems.

The long-term objective of these Guidelines is to eliminate CFC emissions Elimination of CFCs
to the atmosphere completely, and to contribute to a smooth transition to
non-CFC technology within the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.

Target groups
These Guidelines are aimed at:

• National Ozone Units (NOUs) and other relevant government

institutions.
• Industry and trade associations.
• Managers and technicians from refrigeration service companies.
• Suppliers and wholesalers of refrigerants who are involved in the
implementation and promotion of CFC recycling.
• Technical training institutes.

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 11

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Scope
The Guidelines describe the design, establishment and operation of
"Recovery and Recycling Systems" for CFC refrigerants, where:

Recovery • "Recovery" means the removal of refrigerant in any condition (vapour,

liquid, or mixed with other substances) from a system and its storage
in an external container.

Recycling • "Recycling" means the reduction of contaminants contained in used

refrigerants by separating oil, removing condensables and using
devices such as filter dryers to reduce moisture, acidity and particulates.

Reclamation or In the case of contaminated refrigerants or mixtures, "reclamation" or

disposal "disposal" may be necessary. However, the reclamation and disposal of CFC
refrigerants under current conditions is neither economically nor technically
feasible at national level, and therefore not included in these Guidelines.

Refrigerant types The Guidelines focus on the three most common CFC refrigerants: CFC-
11, CFC-12 and CFC-115 (as a component of the R-502 mixture). These are
defined by the Montreal Protocol as ‘Annex A Group 1’ substances, and
have their own phase-out schedule. Non-CFC refrigerants such as HCFCs,
HFCs, hydrocarbons and other ‘natural refrigerants’ (e.g. carbon dioxide
or ammonia) are not dealt with here.

Structure
Chapter 2 Chapter 2 describes how R&R systems can be put in place through
Refrigerant Management Plans.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3 sets out in detail the steps necessary to plan, establish and operate
R&R systems, and including monitoring and review.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4 deals with data collection, and contains forms for collecting data
on existing equipment and consumption of refrigerants, and tools for
calculating recycling potential.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5 describes the technical components of the different types of R&R
systems for CFC refrigerants.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6 explains the factors, which need to be taken in to account when
determining the feasibility and performance of R&R systems.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7 discusses the regulatory framework and the various legislative

12 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Introduction to these Guidelines

options necessary to support the establishment of CFC recycling systems.

Annexes 1-4 include case studies of R&R systems in Ghana, Guatemala, Annexes 1-4
Malaysia and Denmark. The information included was collected in 1997,
and some figures, especially costs, have changed since. Further technical
recommendations can be found in "Case Studies: Refrigerant Recovery and
Recycling", UNEP, 1994 [1].

Annex 5 contains a glossary with explanations and definitions of technical Annex 5

terms used in the Guidelines.

Annex 6 lists further documents, which may be useful in establishing R&R Annex 6
systems – these are sometimes cross-referenced in the text.

Annex 7 gives an introduction to UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme. Annex 7

Figure 1, on the following page, summarises how to use these Guidelines.

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 13

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

STEP ACTIVITY PAGE

1 Planning the R&R system 19

2 Collecting data 29
– Analysis of existing refrigeration sector 29
– Analysis of the network for distribution of refrigerants 31
– Study on the trends and future demands 32
– Estimates of the potential for CFC recycling 33

3 Designing R&R systems 35

– Decentralised R&R systems 35
– Centralised R&R systems 36
– Technical components of R&R systems and prices 38
– Local assembly of R&R equipment 40

4 Evaluating the feasibility of R&R systems 41

– Economic feasibility and performance criteria 41
– Domestic refrigeration 42
– Commercial and industrial refrigeration 44
– Mobile air-conditioning 49

5 Providing regulatory support for CFC recycling 51

– Legislative framework 51
– Regulatory options 53

6 Establishing R&R systems 21

7 Operating R&R systems 26

8 Monitoring and review 27

Figure 1: How to use the Guidelines.

14 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Setting the Framework

2. Setting the Framework

In the past, the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Support measures for
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol has approved numerous stand- R&R systems
alone R&R projects. However, the success of such projects depends on
whether appropriate support measures accompany the project
implementation in order to ensure their political, technical and economic
viability and self-sufficiency. These accompanying measures may include
the implementation of:

• Institutional Strengthening activities and a National Ozone Unit

• Import/export licensing system [12]
• Ban of import of equipment containing CFC
• Economic incentives and disincentive
• System for monitoring of ODS consumption and data reporting
• Codes of good practices in refrigeration [13]
• Ban of venting of or flushing with CFCs
• Industry association in the refrigeration sector
• Certification scheme for refrigeration technicians
• Disposal/destruction strategy
• Training of refrigeration technicians
• Training of customs officers
• Conversion of manufacturing facilities
• Public awareness campaigns
• Other country specific related activities.

The Refrigerant Management Plan

An appropriate mixture of these support measures and their co-ordinated Specific country
implementation in the framework of a Refrigerant Management Plan (RMP) conditions
may ensure the successful phase-out of CFCs in the refrigeration sector.
The selection of the most appropriate support measures must be based on
a thorough analysis of the specific conditions in the country in question:
the structure of the refrigeration sector, the existing regulatory framework
and economic, technical and educational standards.

The aim of a RMP is to design and implement an integrated and overall Strategy for CFC
strategy for cost-effective phase-out of CFC in the refrigeration sector, phase-out

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 15

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

including the most relevant technical and policy options. Projects previously
implemented in isolation from one another can thus be brought together
in an overall approach, and supported by the wider policy framework.

Support measures For example, some recently completed R&R projects have had only modest
results, with recovery and recycling rates far behind the projected quantities,
because the abundant availability of cheap CFC refrigerants and the
continuous import of CFC-using equipment has undermined the market
for recovery and recycling. A successful RMP will ensure that other policy
measures – for example, equipment import bans, and economic incentives
– help to ensure that recycled and alternative refrigerants can compete
successfully with virgin CFCs.

Country Programme These Guidelines assume that the country has already formulated its Country
Programme - the national programme for the phase-out of ODS. The Country
Programme establishes a baseline survey on the use of controlled substances
and describes the past, present and anticipated future consumption of
controlled substances by sector (refrigeration, aerosols, foams, solvents,
methyl bromide etc.). It includes appropriate policies and phase-out
strategies, and provides a work plan, including a prioritised list of projects.
The development of the national ODS phase-out programme is described
in "Elements for Establishing Policies, Strategies and Institutional Framework
for Ozone Layer Protection", UNEP, 1995 [6].

Refrigeration sector For low-volume-consuming (LVC) countries, the refrigeration sector accounts
for the bulk of their ODS consumption, so this sector warrants particular
attention within the Country Programme. The relationship between the
RMP, the R&R system and the Country Programme is illustrated in
Figure 2.

UNEP’s "Guidelines for the Preparation of Refrigerant Management Plan",

UNEP, 1997 [10] contain additional details on the elements of a RMP.

Recent decisions Recent decisions of the Executive Committee and the Meeting of the Parties
have stressed the need for R&R systems to be designed and implemented
in line other measures to reduce the consumption CFC refrigerants:

Decisions 22/33 • In order to ensure the successful implementation of R&R programmes,

the Executive Committee at its 22nd meeting decided that future
R&R projects "... should be prepared within the context of the
Refrigerant Management Plan / Strategy of the country concerned"
and urged the Implementing Agencies "... to ensure that the
prerequisites for success were put in place before R&R projects were
implemented" (Decision 22/33, para 41).

• As a consequence, the Executive Committee requests the

Implementing Agencies of recently approved of R&R programmes

16 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Setting the Framework

"... not to proceed with the disbursement of funds approved for the
R&R programme until the regulatory and legislative requirements and
fiscal steps proposed by the Government ... are put into place".

• One important milestone to fulfil the necessary regulatory and Decisions 9/8
legislative requirement is the establishment of an import/export
licensing system for ODS which was made mandatory for all parties
to the Montreal Protocol at their 9th meeting (Decision 9/8).

• It is in this context that the Executive Committee at its 27th meeting Decisions 27/19
decided "... that no funds should be expended on customs training
projects until either the relevant legislation was already in place or
until substantial progress had been made towards promulgating such
legislation" (Decision 27/19, para 44).

• In the context of the above decisions, some R&R programmes Decisions 28/10
experienced significant implementation delays. At its 28th meeting,
the Executive Committee requested the Implementing Agencies to
report "... on the steps taken at the national level to expedite the
provision of the necessary regulatory and legislative measures required
for successful recovery and recycling projects" (Decision 28/10, para
24).

Future decisions of the Meeting of the Parties and the Multilateral Fund Future decisions
will be compiled by the Ozone Secretariat in "Policies, Procedures, Guidelines
and Criteria" which can also be consulted at the Secretariat's homepage:
http://www.unep.org/unep/secretar/ozone.htm.

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 17

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

18 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Planning, Establishing and Operating R&R Systems

3. Planning, Establishing and

Operating R&R Systems

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) should be closely involved in the Proposal and approval
preparation of the RMP and Country Programme proposals, as well as the
feasibility study for the R&R programme. The RMP and its individual projects
are then approved separately by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral
Fund.

Once approved, the planning and establishment of the R&R programme Planning and
should be co-ordinated by the NOU, in consultation with the relevant establishment
stakeholders and with the support of local and international consultants
and the relevant Implementing Agency. This chapter assumes that the NOU
is the co-ordinating body for the establishment of the R&R system.

R&R systems proceed through three key phases, which are described in Operation and
the rest of this chapter: planning, establishment and operation. When they monitoring
are up and running, monitoring and review should be carried out to ensure
satisfactory progress.

Planning R&R systems

During the planning phase, the NOU should focus on the following
activities:

1. Collect the necessary data

2. Evaluate the need for the R&R system
3. Identify and involve the relevant stakeholders
4. Design the R&R system
5. Define equipment specifications and quantities
6. Evaluate the feasibility and economic viability of the system
7. Define the time schedule
8. Prepare project proposals and financing.

These eight steps are explained in more detail below.

The first step in establishing the R&R system is to conduct a baseline survey Collect the necessary
of the existing refrigeration sector in order to assess the potential and data
economic feasibility of CFC recovery and recycling. Chapter 4 deals in more
details with data collection, and provides templates of data sheets to be

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 19

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

used for the data collection and presentation.

Evaluate the need The NOU should evaluate the need for the R&R system under the national
ODS phase-out programme. The NOU’s recommendations may be discussed
internally in the National Environmental Protection Agency or the
appropriate institutions within the Ministry of the Environment.

The need for the R&R system depends on factors such as:

• The commitment to protect the ozone layer

• The dependency on CFC-using refrigeration equipment in important
industry sectors
• The lifetime of existing CFC-using refrigeration equipment, and its
need for servicing
• The expected availability of new CFCs in the open market
• The need to save resources.

Identify and involve The ultimate success of an R&R system depends on its acceptance by the
the relevant various stakeholders – refrigeration service companies and their associations,
stakeholders government bodies, wholesalers and importers and exporters of CFC
refrigerants. It is therefore essential to involve these organisations in the
development of the R&R system, and to ensure their commitment, at an
early stage.

Design the R&R There are two types of R&R systems: decentralised and centralised. In certain
system cases, a combination of both types of system is appropriate. These different
types of R&R systems are described in Chapter 5.

Different refrigerants such as R-11, R-12 or R-502 require different R&R

equipment because of their thermodynamic properties. An overview of
the necessary R&R equipment is provided in Chapter 5, and additional
details are included in Annex 5.

Define equipment Once the data is available, and the R&R system designed, the equipment
specifications and specifications can be defined, and the required quantities of equipment
quantities (including vehicles) determined. This has implications for the cost and
feasibility of the system. Items, which need to be specified, include:

• The required R&R capacity

• The quality requirements of the recycled CFCs
• The number and type of equipment
• The number of cylinders
• The number of filters and spare parts
• The number of vehicles.

Evaluate the feasibility The feasibility of R&R systems needs to be investigated for each sub-sector,
and economic viability as well as for the refrigeration sector as a whole, since the conditions and
of the system performance criteria in each sub-sector may be different.

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Planning, Establishing and Operating R&R Systems

Appropriate R&R systems should be selected based on performance criteria

such as environmental impact, cost-effectiveness and profitability. Chapter
6 examines the feasibility criteria in more detail.

The time schedule for the establishment of the R&R system and the training Define the time
of the recipients depends of course on the time required for the project schedule
preparation and approval as well as the logistics for the purchase and
distribution of the equipment.

However, it is more important that the necessary legislative framework and

other support measures as mentioned in the Chapters 2 and 7 are
implemented to ensure the successful operation of the system.

Once the feasibility of the R&R system has been demonstrated, the NOU Prepare project
should discuss with the national/international consultant in charge of proposals and
preparing the RMP proposal how the different elements of the R&R system financing
can be implemented.

The R&R system may be economically viable in itself. In this case, the NOU
should – in consultation with relevant stakeholders – discuss the direct
implementation of the system and ensure the commitment of the
stakeholders.

Otherwise, government financing, or support by the Multilateral Fund of

the Montreal Protocol, should be investigated. Project proposals need to
include detailed time schedules and budgets. All financial considerations
should take into account the cost implications of the necessary support
measures, as described in Chapter 7. The procedures for requesting financial
support are described in reference documents [6] and [10].

Establishing R&R systems

Once the R&R system has been planned, the NOU should establish a work
plan including the following steps:

1. Identify and approach service workshops and wholesalers

2. Purchase and distribute the R&R equipment
3. Train and supervise personnel
4. Establish transport logistics
5. Inform the public
6. Adopt quality procedures for recycled refrigerants
7. Adopt a strategy for the disposal of non-recyclable refrigerants
8. Manage financial and administrative issues.

Each of these steps is briefly described in the following sections.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Identify and approach The first step in establishing the R&R system is to identify the workshops,
service workshops which use CFC refrigerants. Wholesalers, importers and refrigeration
and wholesalers associations should be approached in order to establish a register of service
workshops. Workshops in the informal sector may be difficult to identify,
as they are usually small and not registered to any organisation. However,
wholesalers, importers or the larger workshops will often be able to provide
information on the potential number of service workshops in the country.

When all the workshops have been identified, they should be informed of
the planned R&R system – their full commitment to participation is important.

Purchase and The purchase of R&R equipment will usually be co-ordinated by the
distribute the R&R Implementing Agency. The NOU needs to define the distribution criteria
equipment for the equipment, and organise the actual hand-over to the major servicing
workshops.

The equipment purchase process includes the following:

• Specifying the required equipment

• Conducting a bidding procedure
• Ensuring guarantee and servicing in the country
• Selecting the appropriate suppliers
• Contracting.

The distribution of the equipment includes the following activities:

• Define the criteria, and establish the procedures, for selecting service
workshops
• Plan the logistics of the equipment distribution
• Give a price to the equipment to ensure commitment and ownership
• Provide relevant information about the conditions to the service
workshops
• Establish contractual agreement with the participating service
workshops
• Distribute and hand over the equipment.

It is advisable to involve independent experts in the selection, purchase

and distribution of the equipment.

Train and supervise The local refrigeration service companies scheduled to participate in the
personnel R&R system and receive R&R equipment should be closely involved in project
preparation. Their service technicians should receive one-day introductory
training on the specific features of the R&R equipment.

If the number of service workshops due to receive R&R equipment is limited

(e.g. less than 30 companies), this introductory training can be provided
directly. Where the numbers of service workshops and technicians are
larger, the train-the-trainers approach should be considered.

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Planning, Establishing and Operating R&R Systems

This introductory training should be co-ordinated or combined with other

training programmes, e.g. those on good practices in refrigeration, which
are usually implemented at an early stage of the RMP and using the train-
the-trainers approach. These good practice courses provide training and
practical hands-on sessions on the following subjects:

• Phase-out schedules for ODS under the Montreal Protocol

• The national Refrigerant Management Plan
• The effects of ozone layer destruction
• Basic principles of refrigeration
• Good servicing practices, including recovery and recycling
• Use of R&R devices
• Preventive maintenance programmes and record keeping
• Retrofitting to alternative refrigerants
• General trade safety
• The RMP concept at the company level
• Refrigeration associations and certification schemes.

The trained trainers receive a participation certificate issued by the

Government and the are supposed to train the remaining service technicians
in the country on good practices in refrigeration.

All R&R systems require logistical arrangements for the transport of R&R Establish transport
equipment, as well as for the refrigerant cylinders. These can be tied into logistics
existing distribution systems, e.g. for virgin refrigerants or spare parts.
Chapter 4 describes data collection on existing distribution systems.

In general, it is important to minimise the need for transport as much as

possible, and to carefully plan the routes. Centralised R&R systems require
more transport than decentralised systems. Decentralised systems, on the
other hand, require a greater number of recycling machines. The costs of
each option have to be taken into account.

Keeping track of the logistics of the refrigerant movements requires an well-

organised reporting system as an integral part of the logistics system. This
reporting system should include appropriate labelling of cylinders,
declaration of recovered refrigerant and the completion of forms.

R&R systems will function more effectively if the general public, the owners Inform the public
and managers of refrigeration and air-conditioning units, and technicians
of refrigeration service companies, understand why they are important.
This includes a recognition that servicing of CFC-based equipment should
only be done by fully equipped and trained service personnel.

A range of information and public awareness tools are available: leaflets,

posters, articles in newsletters, radio interviews, TV announcements,
interventions at public schools and training institutes, and so on. These
campaigns should be well co-ordinated with other awareness programmes

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 23

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

within the Country Programme and the RMP.

Adopt quality The proper operation of refrigeration equipment depends, amongst other
procedures for factors, on the purity of the refrigerant. When charging recycled CFCs into
recycled refrigerants a refrigeration system it is therefore important to ensure that the refrigerant
meets the prescribed quality requirements of the equipment manufacturer
and supplier. This is important not only to ensure the proper operation and
long lifetime of the equipment but also to fulfil the manufacturer’s guarantee
conditions. The owners of the refrigeration equipment should be informed
that they are receiving recycled refrigerants.

A full chemical analysis of recycled refrigerant requires sophisticated

laboratory equipment such as a gas chromatograph, and will in general
not be available for routine quality control. There are, however, other reliable
and cost-efficient means for quality control, including:

• Using only certified R&R equipment

• Following the manufacturer’s instructions on changing oil and filters
• Employing only skilled personnel and providing appropriate training
• Testing acidity with paper strips
• Performing random chemical analysis checks as appropriate
• Performing preventive and visual inspections of the oil and the
lubricant through the sight glasses
• Applying good practices and proper procedures
• Avoiding mixing refrigerants
• Using refrigerant identifiers to identify the type of the refrigerant or
refrigerant mixtures
• Never using refrigerants after compressor burn-out (acidity)
• Using evaporation processes during recycling.

Procedures to ensure the quality of the recycled refrigerants is an important

issue in the planning of the R&R system, and should feature strongly in
training courses for users of recycling machines.

Adopt a strategy Experience shows that about 10-20% of recovered refrigerants cannot be
for the disposal recycled. This includes:
of non-recyclable
refrigerants • Refrigerant recovered after compressor burn-out
• Mixtures of different types of refrigerant
• Residues from R&R processes.

In some countries, non-recyclable refrigerant can be returned through the

chain of wholesalers to the refrigerant manufacturers responsible for disposal.

In other cases, this is not possible, but venting of contaminated or mixed

refrigerant is bad practice and must be avoided – countries may ban the
intentional venting. An economically feasible strategy for dealing with non-
recyclable refrigerant should therefore be adopted as part of the R&R system.

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Planning, Establishing and Operating R&R Systems

There are two main options:

Destruction strategies
Destruction technologies, such as rotary kiln incinerators, liquid injection
incinerators, cement kilns, reactor cracking or gaseous/fume oxidation
are currently limited to a few developed countries and are very cost-
intensive. They are, in general, not yet available to LVC countries.

Containment strategies
Until appropriate destruction capacity is available to LVC countries, an
intermediate containment strategy could be adopted – such as long-
term storage until final destruction or shipping to established plants.

The immediate storage cost will be less than the destruction cost. The
long-term cost for storage and destruction, however, may be higher if
no alternative and cheaper technologies can be established, such as
chemical neutralisation of the refrigerant.

Careful monitoring and control of the use of the R&R equipment, and the Manage financial and
budget for the R&R system, is essential. administrative issues

To help ensure that service companies feel responsible for using the R&R
equipment in a proper way, the equipment could be sold, or rented at a
subsidised price. Prices should be balanced against the company’s benefit
from using the equipment.

It is important that service companies follow instructions on reporting, so

that the amount of recycled CFC can be monitored and experience on
recycling activities evaluated and disseminated to other users, as well as
to the Ozone Secretariat and the Executive Committee of the Multilateral
Fund.

Further cost implications centralised R&R systems are discussed in

Chapter 5.

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 25

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Operating R&R systems

Operating R&R systems requires the proper management of the recovery
stations, recycling centers and transport logistics. Data on the performance
of the R&R system needs to be collected to perform the necessary reporting
and monitoring functions. The next section deals with monitoring and
review.

All relevant individuals and stakeholders should be made aware of how

the different aspects of the R&R system are managed and what their specific
responsibilities are - e.g. concerning the collection of data and reporting.
This is especially important in centralised systems, where many companies
have to co-operate.

Centralised and Lessons learned for recent R&R programmes show that some difficulties
decentralised R&R may occur during the operation of both centralised and decentralised R&R
system systems (see Chapter 5). Corrective measures should be taken as soon as
possible where the following conditions apply:

Price levels of • The price levels of CFC refrigerants are low compared to those of
refrigerants alternative refrigerants. Therefore it may be more profitable to use
the R&R machines for alternative refrigerants rather than for CFC
refrigerants.

Cost-benefit analyses • Owners or managers of service workshops are not aware that R&R
of refrigerants is profitable. Appropriate information and training may
help to conduct proper cost-benefit analyses.

User-friendliness • The R&R equipment is not accepted by service technicians because

it is not designed in a user-friendly manner. It should be portable or
equipped with wheels, should not require heavy physical work (hand
pumps), should run with the right voltage and should not require
adapters or transformers, etc.

Selection of • The use of the R&R equipment is not profitable for some of the
companies participating service companies because the amount of refrigerant,
which they can potentially recover/recycle, is too small. This situation
may occur when companies applying for R&R equipment provide
unreliable consumption data, knowing that only larger CFC consumers
would receive R&R equipment. Especially companies servicing mainly
domestic appliances may have difficulties to recover sufficient
quantities of refrigerant.

Life time of R&R • As technology develops towards alternative solutions, the share of
sytems CFC equipment and thus the recovery potential decreases over time.
This may influence the viability of an R&R scheme for CFC refrigerants.

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Planning, Establishing and Operating R&R Systems

In centralised systems, where the service workshops are equipped with Centralised systems
recovery machines only, some additional difficulties may occur during the
operational phase:

• The economics for the individual service workshop can make it more Profitability for service
profitable to recharge the recovered refrigerant directly back to the workshops
same equipment than transport it to the recycling center and pay a
fee for recycling. That depends on the recycling fee and the price
levels for virgin and recycled CFC refrigerants.

• Some individual service workshops do not transport the recovered Collecting recovered
refrigerant to the recycling center because of the additional efforts refrigerants
and time required. A periodic collection of the recovered refrigerants
and collective transport to the recycling center may improve the
situation. However, the costs for operating such collection system
need to be covered e.g. through the recycling fees at the recycling
center.

• In some cases, workshop owners or managers do not agree to the Exchanging recovered
rules and prices for exchanging recovered and recycled CFCs between and recycled
the service workshops and the recycling center and therefore refuse refrigerants
to provide recovered refrigerant to the center. For some companies
it even proved to be cost-efficient to purchase their own recycling
machine. The involvement and commitment of all relevant
stakeholders at an early design stage is important and appropriate
training may support such commitment. The above mentioned rules
depend on whether the recycling center is run as a profit center,
whether it is run as a refrigerant bank, whether it is responsible for
the collection of recovered refrigerants, whether it also functions as
a disposal center for contaminated refrigerant and whether it is run
by a private company.

• The recycling center may control the prices as well as the distribution Price control
of the recycled refrigerant and gain a monopolistic position especially
in small countries with few recycling centers. Running the recycling
center as a refrigerant bank where the provider of recovered
refrigerant has the right to purchase the similar quantity of recycled
refrigerant at reduced prices may help. The price policy of the recycling
center should be controlled e.g. through the government.

Monitoring and reviewing

In order to ensure the efficient functioning of the R&R system, the main Performance
performance indicators should be monitored and reviewed on a regular indicators
basis and corrective measures taken if necessary. These indicators are
identical with the criteria used for the feasibility studies in Chapter 6:

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 27

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

• Environmental impact
• Cost-effectiveness
• Profitability.

Data collection A local consultant should perform this task, in consultation with the NOU
and in close co-operation with participating service workshops and recycling
centers. Clear procedures need be established for the transfer of data
between all involved stakeholders and the following data necessary for
efficient monitoring of the R&R system should be provided to the NOU:

• Register of service workshops providing recovered refrigerant to the

recycling centers or performing R&R themselves
• Register of the of R&R equipment in operation at the service workshops
or the recycling centers
• The amount of refrigerant recovered, the number of operations and
the reason for servicing
• The amount of refrigerant recycled by the service workshops or the
recycling centers
• The amount of refrigerant recovered which is directly reused in the
same appliance without recycling
• The amount of recycled refrigerant recharged to refrigeration
appliances
• The estimation of the required resources (cost, time, labour) for R&R
of refrigerant from different appliances and for individual workshops
• The potential for recovery and recycling of refrigerants
• The price levels of virgin, recovered and recycled refrigerants
• The quantity of imported of refrigerants.

Data reliability The collection of reliable data represents a major problem in most R&R
programmes. In centralised systems, the amounts of refrigerant received
and recycled at the recycling center is usually available. It is already more
difficult to keep track of the refrigerants, which are recovered and reused
in the same appliance, without passing through the recycling center. This
is also the case for decentralises R&R systems, where individual service
workshops perform both, recovery and recycling.

Indirect data Indirect data may become available once the import of virgin CFC refrigerants
is restricted, through the rate of retrofitting. The establishment of trade
registers at importer/wholesaler level may also provide indicators of whether
service companies are applying R&R practices.

28 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Collecting Data

4. Collecting Data

The first step in establishing an R&R system is to conduct a baseline survey Base line survey
of the existing refrigeration sector in order to evaluate the potential for CFC
recovery and recycling and its economic feasibility.

The baseline survey should include the following activities, which are
described in this chapter:

1. Analysis of the existing refrigeration sector

2. Analysis of the network for distributing refrigerants
3. Study of the trends, and future demands for refrigeration technology
and CFC consumption
4. Estimates of the potential for recycling CFCs.

Analysis of the existing refrigeration sector

The following data needs to be collected to acquire an overview of the Data to be collected
refrigeration and air-conditioning sector in the country:

• Numbers of refrigeration and air-conditioning units within each sub-

sector (domestic, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air-
conditioning, chillers, mobile air-conditioning, etc.)
• Geographical distribution of these units
• Approximate age of the equipment
• CFC consumption within each sub-sector, indicating refrigerant types
• Inventory of service workshops, including their number, size,
specialisation, number of employees and their skills levels, and
companies maintaining their own refrigeration equipment
• Inventory of importers and wholesalers of refrigerants and equipment
• Inventory of R&R equipment already available in the country
• Projected lifetime of the R&R programme for CFC refrigerants – this
will be limited by the phase-out schedules for CFCs under the Montreal
Protocol. However, R&R may become increasingly important for other
refrigerants, e.g. HCFCs and HFCs, which contribute to global
warming.

The starting points for the collection of data should be the Country Data sources
Programme and the RMP. Further data could be gathered from importers
of refrigerants and equipment, and their customers – wholesalers and
service workshops.

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 29

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Form sheets The following form sheets (Tables 1–3) should be used as templates for the
collection of the basic data, and provide guidance on how to organise the
data in a user-friendly manner. RMPs may contain similar form sheets.

Existing systems and Table 1 should be used to collect information on the number of refrigeration
their charge and air- conditioning units using CFC refrigerants. It also includes columns
for data on the average and total refrigerant charge of the units. If exact
data are not available, the procedures explained in Chapter 6 should be
used to investigate the feasibility for CFC recovery and recycling.

Refrigeration & A/C Number of Min - max Average Total

sub-sectors units/plants charge charge charge
Units No. kg/unit kg/unit kg
Formula A B1 - B2 C = (B1+B2)/2 AxC

Domestic refrigerators
Small commercial units
Large commercial/
industrial units
Mobile air-conditioning

Total
Table 1: Overview of the number of existing refrigeration and air-conditioning units
and their refrigerant charge.

Refrigerant use for Table 2 should be used to collect information on the current consumption
servicing of CFC refrigerants for maintenance. The precise annual CFC loss in each
sub-sector depends on the quality of the maintenance procedures. Within
each sub-sector, the different types of CFCs should be specified.

Refrigeration & A/C Total CFC charge Total CFC used Specific annual
sub-sectors per sub-sector annually loss per total
for maintenance charge
Units kg kg / year 1 / year
Formula A B B/A

Domestic refrigerators
Small commercial units
Large commercial/
industrial units
Mobile air-conditioning

Total
Table 2: CFC consumption within the different refrigerant sub-sectors

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Collecting Data

Table 3 should be used to collect sector specific-data such as the size and Structure of
type of the refrigeration workshops. Some service workshops may work in refrigeration
more than one sub-sector – this has to be taken into account when sub-sectors
estimating the total number of companies.

Sub-sectors serviced Number of Number of Number of

larger workshops smaller workshops per sub-sector
with > 5 employees with > 5 employees
Units kg kg / year 1 / year
Formula A B B/A

Domestic refrigerators
Small commercial units
Large commercial/
industrial units
Mobile air-conditioning

Total
Table 3: Overview of number of refrigeration service workshops

Analysis of the network for distributing

refrigerants
In many cases, the existing distribution network for virgin refrigerants can Data to be collected
also be used for the R&R system – e.g. to transport recovered refrigerant
to the recycling centers. This is particularly important for centralised R&R
systems, which rely heavily on transport services. For this reason, the
structure of the existing distribution system should be investigated, including:

• Number of importers
• Intermediate dealers
• Amount of CFC refrigerants sold through the different wholesalers
• Distribution channels for CFC refrigerants
• Modes of distribution for CFC refrigerants, e.g. the packaging (type and
size of cylinders, refillable or non-refillable), means of transport, etc.
• Availability of cylinders for re-distribution of recycled refrigerants.

This data is also needed to establish a mass balance for the total flow of
refrigerants, and to identify the individual consumers of CFC refrigerants,
in the country.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Analysis of trends and future demands

Data to be collected Future demand for CFC refrigerants in the country can be estimated once
the following data is known:

• Current trends in consumption, and stock (charge) of CFC refrigerants,

in the various types of refrigeration equipment
• Ages of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and expected
rates of replacement
• Plans for retrofitting of equipment and possible schedules for banning
imports of refrigeration equipment
• Trends in the development of new refrigeration technology world-
wide
• Current levels of recovery and recycling of CFC refrigerants, amounts
of CFC refrigerants being recovered and recycled and number of
existing recycling machines.

Potential for R&R Recovery and recycling of CFC refrigerants may be applied during:

• Servicing and repair of CFC units

• Retrofitting of CFC units for alternative refrigerants
• Decommissioning of CFC units.

Demand for Demand for CFC refrigerants arise sin the following cases:
refrigerants
• The initial charge of newly installed CFC units, including refrigerants
for testing purposes (to be avoided in future)
• Recharging during servicing and repair of existing CFC units.

Table 4 should be used to estimate the future demand for virgin CFC
refrigerants.

Refrigeration & A/C Total CFC Replacement Total CFC Total CFC Virgin CFC
sub-sector used for or retrofitting used for recovered used for
maintenance rate per year maintenance and recycled maintenance
in year X in year X + 1 per year in year X + 1
Unit kg / year % kg / year kg / year kg / year
Formula A B A x (1-B) C A x (1-B) - C

Domestic refrigerators
Small commercial units
Large commercial / industrial units
Mobile air-conditioning

Total
Table 4: Future demand for CFC refrigerants

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Collecting Data

Estimation of the potential for refrigerant recycling

Table 5 can be used to estimate the potential amount of CFC refrigerant
available for recovery and recycling. The average refrigerant charge for
each sub-sector or equipment category has to be estimated.

Refrigeration Number of units Average Service Potential

& A/C sub-sector (from Table 1) refrigerant & scrapping for recovery
charge rate
Units No. kg/unit No. units/year kg/year
Formula A B C AxBxC

Domestic refrigerators 0.10…0.25

Small commercial units 5…10…100
Large commercial / industrial units 100…1000
Mobile air-conditioning 0.65…1.50

Total
Table 5: Potential amount of CFC refrigerant available for R&R

The type and amount of CFCs used in domestic refrigerators differs from Domestic refrigerators
model to model, depending on the size and capacity of the refrigeration
system. Refrigerators usually contain 0.1–0.25 kg of refrigerant.

Experience from France shows that more than 90% of the initial charge
of yet unopened refrigerators can be recovered. However, Danish
experience in the recovery of CFC refrigerant from old refrigerators brought
to central recycling centers shows that they tend to contain only about
30% of the initial charge – the remainder is lost mainly through leaks caused
during transport to the center.

When end-of-life refrigerators are disposed of in LVC countries, most of Commercial units
the refrigerant tends to be lost through leakage, or is effectively non-
recyclable because of compressor burnout. LVC countries experience higher
rates of compressor burnout because of their hot climates and unstable
electrical supplies.

Several kinds of refrigeration equipment are used in the commercial sector,

including hermetically sealed compressor units for individual display cases,
and semi-hermetic and open compressors for centralised refrigeration of
a series of display cases and cold rooms.

Hermetically sealed compressor cabinets contain a few kilograms of CFC-

12 refrigerant, whereas centralised systems contain between 5–15 kg of
refrigerant, depending on the size and number of cabinets connected to
the system.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Larger systems, with several cabinets and/or storage rooms, contain as

much as several hundred kilograms of CFC-12, HCFC-22 or R-502 (a blend
of CFC-115 and HCFC-22) refrigerants.

Recommended charge ratios of refrigerant for commercial refrigeration are

approximately 1.5 kg/kWref for evaporation temperatures between –15
and 0 oC, and 4 kg/kWref for temperatures between –40 and –35 oC.

When a system is opened for servicing its refrigerant content may range
from zero to a full charge. Usually, the actual charge will be less than the
initial charge because of system leakage – which is the most common cause
for the servicing. Refrigerant loss noticeably reduces the cooling performance
of the equipment, and the owners usually react quickly to service the
appliance. Most of the remaining refrigerant can therefore be recovered.

Large commercial and This sub-sector is very diversified, including refrigeration and air-conditioning
industrial units units as well as chillers. The refrigerant type and charge varies accordingly.

Some units use CFC-12, HCFC-22 or R-502, while others, such as chillers,
use CFC-11. The refrigerant content varies from several hundred kilograms
to over 1 tonne, with an average of about 400 kg.

For chillers, the recommended charge ratio is between 0.25–0.4 kg/kWref,

while that for special refrigeration plants may be as high as 8 kg/kWref.

This sub-sector includes air-conditioning systems both for cars, buses, trucks
and trains.

Mobile air- Until recently, CFC-12 was used in cars and some other vehicles. The initial
conditioning (MAC) refrigerant charge in cars was 0.65–1.5 kg of CFC-12. North American cars
contained more than 1 kg of CFC-12, though European and Japanese cars
contained less. Although almost all car manufacturers have now switched
to HFC-134a as the refrigerant, many older cars still require servicing with
CFC-12, which makes recycling relevant.

The average initial charge for buses and trains is several kilograms of
refrigerant.

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Designing R&R Systems

5. Designing R&R Systems

This chapter describes the technical components of the different types of Basic designs of R&R
R&R systems for CFC refrigerants. There are two basic designs, decentralised systems
and centralised systems. In certain cases, a combination of both types – a
semi-centralised system – may be appropriate, depending on the structure
of the existing refrigeration systems.

Decentralised R&R systems

In decentralised R&R systems, the participating service workshops are Design and logistics
equipped with both, recovery and recycling units. R&R is either performed
locally at the customer's premises, using mobile R&R equipment, or at the
service workshop. The recycled refrigerant is usually used to recharge the
same refrigeration unit from which it was recovered. The recycling process
is controlled by the local workshop (Figure 2).

The operation of decentralised R&R systems has significant advantages Conditions for
compared with centralised systems because the recycled refrigerant can successful operation
directly be reused by the service workshop. Thus the transport logistics are
reduced and no co-ordination with other service workshops is needed as
long as the workshop is able to use all recycled refrigerant itself. However,
the successful operation of a decentralised system requires that:

• the individual service workshops have sufficiently skilled technicians

and administrative personnel
• the recycling potential is sufficiently high, which is usually the case for
mobile air-conditioning units and larger commercial or industrial plants.
• either the individual workshops have sufficient financial resources to
purchase the recycling equipment or it is funded or subsidised through
the Government or the Multilateral Fund.
• the individual service workshops must have access to analytical tools,
which are necessary to identify recovered refrigerant before the
recycling takes place. The workshop has to ensure the quality of the
recycled refrigerant and is liable for damage resulting from refrigerant
contamination.
• the individual service workshops have access to vehicles for
transportation of the recovered refrigerant to the service workshop
for recycling or for transportation of the recycling machine to the
customer's premises.
• R&R must be profitable for the individual workshop.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Centralised R&R systems

Design and logistics In centralised R&R systems, the participating service workshops are equipped
with recovery machines only, and the recovered refrigerant is recycled in
a recycling center. In some cases, the recycling center can also be equipped
with a reclaim station. The recycling center controls the recycling process
(Figure 2).

The recycling center can return the recycled refrigerant to the workshop,
which provided it and charge a recycling fee, where the workshop is able
to reuse the recycled refrigerant. Alternatively, the recycling center can
function as a refrigerant bank, buying recovered and selling recycled CFC
refrigerants. If the recycled refrigerant is to be used for other refrigeration
systems, its quality must of course be strictly controlled.

Conditions for However, experience shows that the successful operation of centralised
successful operation R&R systems is more difficult because of the increased logistics between
the service workshops and the recycling center, because of the smaller R&R
potential in the domestic sector and because of the increased need for co-
ordination between workshops and recycling centers. The successful
operation of centralised R&R systems requires that:

• the individual service workshops have sufficiently skilled technicians

and administrative personnel
• the potential for refrigerant recovery is sufficient for the individual
service workshop, which is more difficult for companies servicing
domestic and small commercial appliances
• the number of small service companies is sufficient to ensure a
minimum R&R potential for the recycling center
• Short distances between the service companies and the recycling
center in order to limit the necessary logistics
• Collective or individual transport available to transport the recovered
refrigerant to the recycling center and to return it once recycled
• each recycling center must be equipped with a refrigerant analyser
since it can not rely on the type of refrigerant contained in a recovery
cylinder. The center is liable for the quality of the recycled refrigerant
and has therefore to control the incoming refrigerants.
• recovery must be profitable for the individual service workshop and
the recycling must be profitable for the recycling center.

Lessons learned : Lessons learned from recent R&R programmes show that the operation of
close monitoring centralised R&R system may fail if some of the above aspects are not properly
taken into account. Therefore it is important to closely monitor the
operational phase of the system and to introduce corrective measures if
necessary. Further aspects, which should be taken into account, were
already discussed in Chapter 3.

36 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Designing R&R Systems

Centralised R&R System

Recovery station Recovery station

Recycling center

Recovery station Recovery station

Decentralised R&R System

Recycling and
Recycling and recovery station
recovery station

Recycling and
recovery station

Semi-centralised R&R System

Recovery
Recovery
station
station

Recycling Recycling
center center

Recovery Recovery
station station

Fig. 2 : Three different ways to organize a CFC Refrigerant R&R System

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 37

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Technical components of R&R systems

The type and quantity of R&R equipment necessary to operate R&R systems
depends on the design and size of the system and the type of refrigeration
equipment to be serviced.

Typically, R&R systems require the following types of equipment:

Recovery machines Recovery machines are used to recover refrigerant from refrigeration or air-
conditioning systems to be serviced or decommissioned. The recovered
refrigerant is pumped into a cylinder for storage.

Recovery does not necessarily include filtering. However, liquid refrigerant

is often recovered through a buffer cylinder, which is placed before the
recovery machine. This cylinder functions as an oil separator that traps
particles and acid.

Some recovery machines are, or can be, equipped with a filter to protect
the compressor, as well as additional filter modules for moisture, particles,
etc., in order to fulfil the basic recycling function. Such upgraded recovery
machines may improve the quality of the recovered refrigerant before
recharging to the same refrigeration system. However, they are not certified,
and the refrigerant quality cannot be guaranteed.

Recovery machines are usually portable, their weight is approximately 20

kg and their price may range from US$ 500–1500, depending on the type
and the number of machines purchased.

Recycling machines Recycling machines clean the recovered refrigerant to a given standard –
they are usually certified. The recycled refrigerant is pumped into a refillable
cylinder. Some recycling machines are also equipped to recharge the recycled
refrigerant back into the serviced refrigeration system.

The cleaning system usually involves an evaporation process, and the

refrigerant is passed through a separation chamber, filters and dryers.

Recycling machines weigh about 100 kg and are normally equipped with
wheels. Prices range from US$ 2000–5000. Purchasing a recycling machine
will avoid costs e.g. for separate recovery machines, cylinders and charging
equipment.

The use of refrigerant handling equipment has increased during the last
decade, accompanied by the intensive development of new and more cost-
efficient models. The characteristics and prices of such equipment should
be carefully compared.

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Designing R&R Systems

Reclaim stations are stationary plants, normally used to upgrade Reclaim stations
contaminated or mixed refrigerant to international quality standards for
virgin refrigerants (ARI 700-93). These standards require strict quality control
and access to advanced chemical analysis devices such as a gas
chromatograph. However, recycling machines may also be able to clean
refrigerant, which is not heavily contaminated to similar quality standards.

The price of a reclaim station ranges from US$ 25,000–50,000. More

complex reclaim stations may cost as much as US$ 150,000. A gas
chromatograph may cost up to US$100,000. Because of the high cost,
reclaim stations are not cost-efficient for LVC countries.

Cylinders are necessary in all types of R&R systems for the recovery, storage,
transport and redistribution of refrigerant. Only refillable cylinders should
be used, given that disposable cylinders – often used for distribution of
virgin refrigerants – are not strong enough to withstand the filling process.

Cylinders are available in different sizes, 30lb, 50lb, 100lb, 200lb and
1000lb. Smaller workshops with portable recovery machines normally use
30lb or 50lb cylinders. For recycling centers, 100lb or 200lb cylinders are
usually adequate. Recovery cylinders should have separate valves for vapour
and liquid refrigerant, and be equipped with an over-fill protection (OFP)
device. The price for 30lb and 50lb cylinders is approximately US$ 100 and
for 100lb cylinders US$ 250.

The mixing of different refrigerants should be avoided, as it is not possible

to separate mixtures of refrigerants using the equipment described above.
This means that the workshops have to be equipped with separate cylinders
for the different kinds of recycled refrigerants (CFC-11, CFC-12 and R-502)
and rejected refrigerants.

As part of the interim disposal strategy for contaminated and mixed

refrigerants, recent R&R programmes provided 1000lb cylinders, allowing
storage of the refrigerant until final destruction.

When servicing small refrigeration units such as refrigerators, a specially

designed plastic bag can be used to recover and to store the refrigerant
during transport from the site to the locations of the recycling machine.
The price for a refrigerant bag is approximately US$ 20.

Electronic leak detectors indicate the presence of specific molecules Leak detectors
containing chlorine or fluorine atoms. This should happen before the
recovery of the refrigerant and the repair of the system. Leak detectors cost
between US$ 50–300.

This equipment identifies the type of recovered refrigerant to be recycled Test kit (refrigerant
and indicates if refrigerants have been mixed together. Recycling centers, identifier)

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 39

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

which receive recovered refrigerants from a variety of workshops, require

the device.

Hand tools Different types of hand tools and accessories are needed for recovery and
recycling operations, including hoses, valves, gauge manifolds, micron
gauges, hollow punches, etc.

Other pieces of equipment used for refrigerant recovery and recycling are
weighing scales and filters for the recycling machines.

Local assembly of R&R equipment

Some refrigeration service workshops are already equipped with basic tools
for handling refrigerants, such as vacuum pumps, refrigerant cylinders,
weighing scales and hand tools. The cost for of R&R machines may be
significantly reduced through local assembly. Such locally assembled
equipment may upgrade the quality of the recovered refrigerant.

In larger countries such as India, the relevant stakeholders and the

Government met and decided to develop indigenous charging kits and
recovery machines since most service technicians in India cannot afford
imported equipment. In the long term, India also plans to develop R&R
units, but some research needs to be done concerning the absorption of
acid and moisture and the life of the cartridge.

However, unless the R&R equipment is tested and certified, there is no

guarantee that the recycled refrigerant complies with established quality
standards. Therefore, the recycled refrigerant should only be used to
recharge the same appliance from which it was recovered.

40 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Evaluating the Feasibility of R&R Systems

6. Evaluating the Feasibility

of R&R Systems

This chapter defines the criteria, which should be used in assessing the
feasibility and performance of R&R systems. In some cases it may be
appropriate to use different types of R&R systems in the various sub-sectors,
depending on their specific conditions.

Economic feasibility and performance criteria

The following performance criteria for R&R systems should be used:

• Environmental impact: the amount of recovered and recycled Environmental impact

refrigerant in relation to the total potential for recovery and recycling
should be maximised
• Cost effectiveness: environmental impact in relation to the total cost Cost effectiveness
of the R&R project should be maximised
• Profitability: the companies involved in the R&R business should make Profitability
a sustainable profit.

The following more specific criteria should be considered in order to optimise

the above performance criteria:

• Minimise costs for R&R equipment

• Minimise time for R&R procedures
• Optimise usage of R&R equipment
• Maximise profits from R&R
• Minimise pay-back time for R&R equipment
• Maximise coverage in the country and in each sub-sector
• Minimise but provide the necessary transport and logistics
• Provide reliable data.

The remaining sections of this chapter examine specific conditions in the

different refrigeration sub-sectors: domestic refrigeration, large commercial
and industrial refrigeration and mobile air-conditioning.

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 41

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Domestic refrigeration
Recovery and recycling in the domestic refrigeration sector can be applied
in the following situations:

• Repair of domestic refrigerators (recovery and recharge).

• Collection and scrapping of old refrigerators (recovery).
• Testing and repair of new refrigerators at the factory (recovery and
recharge).

The first activity is usually the most relevant for LVC countries. The second
may be relevant if the prices of CFC refrigerants increase drastically. The
third activity only applies to the few LVC countries that have manufacturing
facilities.

In general, R&R in the domestic refrigeration sub-sector is less efficient and

profitable than in the commercial or mobile refrigeration sub-sectors, due
to the small amounts of CFCs which can be recovered from domestic
appliances.

Repair of domestic Domestic refrigerators do not require regular servicing, and repairs are only
refrigerators needed when a system breaks down. If the reason for repair is leakage in
the refrigeration coil, there may not be any refrigerant left. In the case of
a compressor burnout, the remaining refrigerant can be recovered but it
is contaminated and not recyclable.

Domestic systems are often repaired by technicians from the informal sector
who lack formal training. Leakage may not be properly detected and leaking
systems may be simply topped up.

In cases where the weight of portable R&R units makes transport to the
client difficult, especially where technicians lack appropriate means of
transport, recovery bags in combination with a hand pump, can be used
instead. This also applies if several service technicians share one R&R unit.

The average recycling potential for refrigerators is 60 grams of CFC-12. This

corresponds to a saving of US$ 0.1, given that new refrigerant costs US$
2 per kg. The cost of the recycling operation must therefore be very low
to make the operation profitable for the service companies. However, if
the R&R equipment is subsidised, locally assembled or is available anyway
for the servicing of bigger appliances, the total cost may well balance the
savings – particularly if labour costs are low. Once CFC refrigerants become
more expensive, the profitability of R&R will increase.

Any feasibility study for R&R in the domestic refrigeration sector should
take into account the following factors:

42 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Evaluating the Feasibility of R&R Systems

• Potential numbers of refrigerators requiring repair of the refrigeration

coil.
• Possible amounts of refrigerant remaining in the refrigerator.
• The number of service companies repairing domestic refrigerators.

When a refrigerator reached the end of its life, after 10–15 years of Collection of old
operation, it may still contain a CFC refrigerant charge. Whether the refrigerators
refrigerator is dumped in a landfill or scrapped in a shredder, its refrigerant
charge will finally be emitted to the atmosphere, thus contributing to the
depletion of the ozone layer.

Although the amount of refrigerant emitted from each individual refrigerator

is small, the high number of refrigerators dumped every year contributes
significantly to global CFC emissions. Countries like Canada, Denmark,
Germany, Sweden and some states in the USA have established schemes
for the collection of old refrigerators in order to recover the remaining CFC
refrigerant.

Experience from the Danish scheme for the collection of old refrigerators
(Annex 6) shows that an average of 60g of CFC can be recovered from
each refrigerator. About 80% of the recovered refrigerant can be recycled
or reclaimed, and the remaining 20% are incinerated.

In the Danish R&R scheme, the cost of R&R is higher than the actual market
price of the recovered CFC. Hence, the R&R scheme needs to be subsidised
through a surcharge on new refrigerators, which also covers the cost of
scrapping the refrigerators at the end of their economic life. Municipal tax
revenues cover the remaining costs. This does not take into account the
avoided disposal cost of the refrigerant, since venting is always bad practice
and in some cases illegal. R&R may be a cost-effective alternative to expensive
incineration or long-term storage.

R&R will be less expensive in LVC countries, which have, in general, lower
labour costs. However, the profitability of R&R schemes will strongly depend
on price levels and the availability of virgin and recovered refrigerant –
which therefore need to be managed by appropriate economic and policy
measures.

This section is applicable to those LVC countries, which have manufacturing Manufacture of
facilities for domestic refrigerators. Many manufacturers have already refrigerators
converted to alternative refrigerants to avoid the production of new CFC
refrigerators. However, R&R as an environmentally sound practice should
also be applied to substitute refrigerants, such as HFCs and HCFCs.

Quality control procedures during the manufacturing process usually identify

1–2% of defective refrigerators, which then require emptying and

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 43

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

recharging. Appropriate R&R equipment should be available at the factory

in order to recover the refrigerant and to prevent venting.

The economic feasibility of R&R depends on the number of defective

refrigerators and the possibility of integrating this process into the repair
lines without creating disruptions. Logistics are reduced since many
refrigerators require R&R at the same manufacturing site.

Large commercial and industrial refrigeration

Situations for R&R For large commercial and industrial refrigeration, R&R of refrigerants is
relevant in the following situations:

• Installation (cleaning and initial charging).

• Repair and servicing (recovery and recharging).
• Retrofitting of equipment (recovery).
• Decommissioning and scrapping (recovery).

In all cases, the recoverable amount of refrigerant will be approximately

equivalent to the initial charge as long as there is no leakage in the
refrigeration coil.

Time required for R&R The R&R procedure consists of recovery, recycling and recharging, and
requires between 15–30 minutes per kilogram of refrigerant charge:

• Recovery of the remaining refrigerant: 5–15 minutes per kg.

• Recycling of the recovered refrigerant (filtering): 10–15 minutes per kg.
• Recharging of the refrigerant: 2–5 minutes per kg.

Process for R&R Most machines perform the R&R process automatically once the hoses are
properly connected; the operator has simply to start the process. Since
over-filling of cylinders may be dangerous, either the filling needs to be
monitored by the operator or the cylinders must be equipped with overfill
protection devices. The use of these devices allows the operator to perform
other tasks during the R&R process, reducing time requirements and labour
cost and therefore increasing profitability. Depending on labour costs and
the price levels of virgin refrigerants, R&R from commercial systems may
well be profitable.

Table 6 can be used to evaluate the economic feasability of R&R in

commercial and industrial refrigeration for individual service workshops
involved in an R&R programme.

44 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Evaluating the Feasibility of R&R Systems

Economic feasibility of refrigerant recycling

Non-recurring cost A R&R machines

Other equipment
Initial training

Annual operating cost B Labour

Maintenance of R&R equipment including
spare parts, filters, oil etc.
Rent, electricity, etc.
Bank interest
Administration, monitoring and reporting
costs

Annual savings C* Refrigerant recycled

Average life time of R&R

E.g. 5 years
equipment D

Amount of annually recycled

E.g. 1000 kg
refrigerant E

Cost for R&R per kg of

Cost = (A/D+B)/E
recycled refrigerant
Non-recurring cost divided by the lifetime
of the R&R equipment plus the annual
operating cost, both divided by the annual
amount of recycled refrigerant in kg

Cost for R&R per kg of Savings = Market price per kg of virgin

recycled refrigerant refrigerant replaced by recycled refrigerant

Cost for R&R per kg of

Total savings = Savings – Cost
recycled refrigerant

Table 6: Calculation of economic feasibility of refrigerant recycling

* The annual savings may also include the avoided cost for storage and
disposal of refrigerants if applicable.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Decentralised R&R For service workshops participating in a decentralised R&R system and
systems performing both, recovery and recycling, the non-recurring costs include
the costs of the R&R equipment and the initial training. The necessary R&R
equipment consists of:

• R&R machine
• Refillable cylinders for recovered refrigerant
• Leak detector
• Testing equipment
• Other hand tools.

The service workshop must also invest in the initial training of a selected
number of employees, to enable them to use the equipment correctly. As
a rule, a couple of days are required to train a skilled technician on good
practices in refrigeration, including R&R. The training costs include the
labour cost of the people to be trained and, if necessary, their travel and
accommodation expenses, as well as the cost to the organisation of the
training and trainers.

In order to compare the non-recurring cost with the operating cost, the
non-recurring costs must first be annualised, which requires an estimate
of the lifetime of the individual investments. The equipment normally has
a working life of about 5–10 years, depending on how much it is used and
how carefully it is treated and maintained. Training has a long life span in
theory, but in practice the turnover of personnel, and promotions within
the workshops, might make it necessary to periodically (e.g. every three
years) provide refresher courses for new staff.

The operating costs are primarily the labour required to carry out the various
processes. These vary according to the kind of equipment being used. The
following procedure applies to a semi-automatic recycling machine:

• Transport the R&R machine to the refrigeration system to be serviced

• Connect the R&R machine to the refrigeration system
• Monitor the recovery process if cylinders are not equipped with overfill
protection devices
• Disconnect the R&R machine
• Start the recycling process.

The recharging of the refrigeration device is part of the traditional servicing

procedure and should not be accounted for. In addition, no time is allowed
for venting of the refrigerant, which also requires equipment to evacuate
the circuit.

Most recycling machines are equipped with filters that must be changed
after every 50 hours of operation. Some cheaper types of filters require
changing after 10 hours – the savings in purchase must be set against the
higher numbers that will be needed.

46 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Evaluating the Feasibility of R&R Systems

Costs for electricity and lubrication oil are insignificant compared to other
overheads. The oil must be replaced more frequently in recovery than in
recycling machines.

The frequency and quality of the servicing of R&R equipment will affect its
useful lifetime, which may range from 5 to 10 years. The useful lifetime will
also be limited because the number of CFC appliances requiring servicing
will fall in the future.

Reusing recycled refrigerants creates savings, since no virgin refrigerant

needs to be purchased and no contaminated refrigerant needs to be
disposed of.

The recovery and recycling of refrigerants is economically feasible if there

are total savings, the balance between the annualised non-recurring cost
and the operating cost. Practical examples of non-recurring and operating
costs and the savings made due to R&R operations are presented in the
Annexes 1-4.

For servicing workshops participating in a centralised R&R system and only Centralised R&R
performing recovery, the calculation is similar to that for decentralised systems
systems. However, the cost of the recovery units is less than for the R&R
units, and no recycling filters need to be purchased. Additional costs arise
from the logistics and the transport of the refrigerant to and from the
recycling centers, and the fees to be paid to the recycling center for their
services (the price difference between recovered and recycled refrigerant).

Recycling centers participating in a centralised system have lower costs for

recovery units, and the labour and logistics of recovery. Additional costs
arise from the recovered refrigerant, which needs to be purchased from
the service workshops. The profits made by the recycling centers are based
on the added value of the recycled refrigerants compared with the recovered
ones.

Similar calculations apply to recycling and reclaim stations, but the cost for
the chemical refrigerant analysis also need to be considered.

UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999 47

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Example from Ghana

Annual non-recurring cost US$/year

• Equipment is borrowed from technical institute, 0
so no investment costs for the workshops
in this respect
• Training of two technicians 40

Sub-total 40

Annual operating cost

• Labour, 100 operations of 1 hour each 100
• Filters, 3 filters of about US$ 40.- (paid by centers) 0
• Other operating costs, estimated 200

Sub-total 300

Annual costs 340

Annual savings
• 5 kg per operation (100 operations), US$2 per kg 1 000

Total annual savings

Obviously, it is profitable for the workshop
to perform the recycling operation,
even with a relatively conservative calculation. 660

Table 7: Recycling of CFC from commercial refrigeration plants - one year’s

operation of a typical service company in Ghana in 1997

48 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Evaluating the Feasibility of R&R Systems

Mobile air-conditioning
Recycling of refrigerants from mobile air-conditioning units can be performed
through either centralised or decentralised systems, although decentralised
systems are the most commonly used.

The feasibility of refrigerant recycling from MACs can be evaluated using

the same format applied to commercial and industrial refrigeration, as
described above.

Typically, refrigerant recycling from MACs is more economically feasible

than from domestic refrigeration, but less feasible than the recycling of
refrigerants from larger commercial and industrial refrigeration facilities.

However, the feasibility of MAC recycling projects depends on a number

of factors which vary from one country to the other, such as:

• The average charge of the MACs

• The average state of maintenance and thereby the total potential
recyclable CFCs
• Labour costs.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Example from Malaysia

Annual non-recurring cost: US$/year

• The purchase of equipment is subsidised 200
• Training of two technicians:
approx. four days a year at a labour cost of US$30
per day 120

Sub-total 320

Annual operating costs

• Labour, 200 operations of 30 minutes each 375
• Filters, 3 filters of about 40 US$ each 120
• Other operating costs, estimated 200

Sub-total 695

Annual costs 1 015

Annual savings
• Savings: 0.5 kg per operation (200 operations),
US$2 per kg 200
• Service charge: US$ 8 per operation 1 600

Sub-total 1 800

Total annual savings

Obviously, it is profitable for the workshop to perform

the recycling operation, even with a relatively conservative
calculation. 785

Table 8: Recycling of CFC from mobile air-conditioning at a typical car service

station in Malaysia in 1997

50 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Providing Regulatory Support

7. Providing Regulatory
Support

As Chapter 3 stresses, R&R systems will only operate effectively if they take
place within the appropriate regulatory and fiscal framework.

Economic incentives and voluntary initiatives provide important support

for R&R systems. However, often the appropriate regulatory framework is
needed to make such systems economically viable in the first place, and
also to enforce potentially unpopular measures. Only the mix of economic,
voluntary, policy and legislative measures appropriate to the country
conditions will ensure the successful implementation of R&R systems.

Even in cases where recycling of CFC refrigerants is profitable, it may not

occur because of a lack of knowledge, skills and equipment, people’s
attitudes or simply resistance to change. In such cases, a mix of awareness
raising, training and legislation will help.

This chapter describes the possible components of an appropriate regulatory

framework.

Legislative framework
The formulation of the legislative framework should consider the following
aspects:

1. Existing legislation for refrigerant use and ODS phase-out

2. Expected demand for refrigerants
3. Apropriate price levels for virgin and recycled CFC refrigerants
4. The economic and institutional situation of the country.

Some aspects of the use of CFC refrigerants are already covered by legislation Existing legislation for
in many countries, through standards for activities such as the setting up refrigerant use and
of refrigeration facilities and for the handling, transport and labelling of ODS phase-out
refrigerants.

Quality standards for refrigerants are particularly important where recycling

is concerned, since refrigeration plants require high-quality recycled
refrigerants which can only be provided by specific recycling machines and
reclaim stations.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

From the economic point of view, most countries levy duties on imported
goods, and these often include refrigerants. This means that domestically
recycled refrigerants have a competitive advantage compared with imported
refrigerants.

Countries which design a national ODS phase-out programme and

implement legislation in line with the Montreal Protocol will be more likely
to succeed with CFC recycling and the related legislation. As a rule, any
restriction on the use of virgin CFC in the refrigeration sector will support
R&R. For example, a strict phase-out schedule for CFC refrigerants and the
introduction of import quotas or taxes will increase the price of CFC
refrigerants and consequently make R&R more attractive.

Expected demand for The need for R&R also depends on general market trends. Already the
refrigerants expectation that traditional CFC systems will be replaced by new non-CFC
technologies within a few years, and that virgin CFC refrigerants will become
scarce and expensive, is reducing the demand for CFC refrigerants and
equipment.

However, where existing CFC systems have long remaining lifetimes, and
new or second-hand CFC-using equipment is imported (which should not
be permitted), there may be a sustained need for CFC refrigerants.

Countries whose key economic sectors depend on refrigeration and air-

conditioning should be particularly careful to plan and manage their
inventory of refrigeration equipment, and the use of refrigerants, well in
advance.

Appropriate price Given the low price levels and the abundant availability of virgin CFC
levels for virgin and refrigerants in many Article 5 countries – at a cost of about US$2 per kg in
recycled refrigerants 1997 – appropriate support measures such as subsidies, duty-free imports
of recycling equipment, taxes and import restrictions for CFC refrigerants
will be necessary in order to make CFC recycling competitive.

R&R of CFC refrigerants in the commercial and industrial sectors will be

more attractive than in the domestic sector because of the higher quantities
of refrigerant involved. The economic feasibility of R&R in the different
sectors will also depend on the design of the R&R system. A well-designed
system will be simple and require little transport, thus being more cost-
efficient.

Economic and The establishment and operation of an R&R system for CFC refrigerants
institutional situation requires financial and human resources and major administrative efforts.
of the country A decentralised system with several recycling machines requires particularly
high investment costs, but is likely to reduce the transport costs.

In order to establish an R&R system, the stakeholders involved need to

provide administrative support, especially the NOUs, which are normally

52 UNEP DTIE’s OzonAction Programme 1999

Providing Regulatory Support

responsible for establishing and monitoring the system. Some of the initial
administrative and monitoring work can be supported through the
Institutional Strengthening projects under the Multilateral Fund.

Regulatory options
Several regulatory options are available for supporting the establishment
of R&R systems:

1. Ban on emissions
2. Ban or quotas for imports
3. Ban or quotas for imports of refrigeration devices
4. Taxes and price regulation (economic disincentives)
5. Subsidies and tax exemptions (economic incentives)
6. Training and certification of service technicians and operators
7. Public information.

Each of these options is discussed below. An overview of legislation for the

control and monitoring of ODS in 36 selected countries – Article 5 and non-
Article 5 countries – can be found in "Regulations to Control Ozone-
Depleting Substances", UNEP, SEI [7].

If emissions are prohibited, larger installations, which are more likely to be

inspected, will be encouraged to apply good servicing practices to avoid
intentional releases of CFC gases to the atmosphere – and to adopt company
policy statements containing these aims. They may also consider retrofitting
and replacing equipment to avoid being penalised or because it makes
business sense. Recovery from large installations will provide a stock of
recycled CFC refrigerants for companies using smaller equipment.

Given that LVC countries do not produce their own CFC refrigerants, the Ban on emissions
availability and use of CFC refrigerants can be directly reduced by setting
a timetable for a strict ban on CFC imports, or the enforcement of an import
quota system.

A tight schedule for the restriction of imports of CFC refrigerants will create
a shortage of refrigerants and push up market prices. This will make the
use of alternative substances, and recycling CFC refrigerants, more attractive.
This assumes that CFC refrigerants were not stockpiled in previous years.

Sharp increases in CFC prices may also, however, encourage illegal imports Ban or quotas for
of these substances. A tight ODS phase-out schedule, therefore, must be imports
combined with effective import controls.

One way to reduce the imports of CFC refrigerants is to establish or

strengthen existing import/export licensing systems. Such a system would
require importers of CFCs to obtain an import license, granted, for example,

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

on the basis of the importer’s historic import levels and gradually reduced
alongside the overall phase-out schedule for CFCs. In addition, large
amounts of low-quality CFC refrigerants are sold on international markets,
and therefore importers should be required to obtain certificates of quality.

Import/export licensing systems for ODS have become mandatory under

the Montreal Protocol. More details can be found in "Policy Design and
Setting up of Legislation: Import/Export Licensing Systems", UNEP 1997
[12].

A quota system of this type requires efficient administration and control

through the country’s government agencies, such as the environmental
protection agency or the customs department. Customs officers will need
to be trained on the import/export licensing system and the identification
of CFC refrigerants.

A number of LVC countries have already implemented similar regulations,

including Guatemala (Annex 4). Ghana previously suffered from illegal CFC
imports with low prices, which made it less attractive to substitute and
recycle CFC refrigerants. Ghana’s case study in Annex 1 describes how illegal
imports can be curbed and market prices stabilised.

Ban or quotas Most of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment used in LVC
for imports of countries is imported and therefore these countries depend on the
refrigeration devices equipment available on the world market.

Since developed countries are phasing out CFC refrigerants faster than
Article 5 countries, they are generating a surplus of second-hand CFC-using
equipment. Some owners and equipment dealers are exporting this
equipment to Article 5 countries without informing the recipients of the
negative consequences of CFC use.

In recent times, for example, large air-conditioning plants have been sold
to hotels, old CFC refrigerators have been shipped to African countries and
used cars with CFC-12 air-conditioning systems have been exported to
Central America and the Caribbean. These ‘dumping’ practices will make
Article 5 countries more dependent on CFC, and once the market prices
of CFC increase, the equipment will become expensive to maintain.

There are several ways of reducing imports of CFC-using refrigeration and

air-conditioning equipment:

• An outright ban, or quotas, on imports of CFC-using refrigeration

and A/C equipment
• Increased duties on CFC-using equipment
• Reduced duties on alternative refrigeration equipment
• Subsidised local development and manufacture of alternative
refrigeration equipment.

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The most effective and sustainable solution is to bring about a smooth

transition to non-CFC using equipment – avoiding, as far as possible, the
costs of premature decommissioning of CFC-using equipment, and ensuring
that supplies of CFC refrigerants are adequate to run existing equipment
until the end of its economic life. The country should therefore, undertake
detailed planning of its future needs for refrigeration equipment and CFC
refrigerants.

The country should also avoid becoming dependent on the intermediate

HCFC refrigerants, given that this type of refrigerant is to be phased out at
a later stage. In the long term, the use of HFC refrigerants will also be
controlled under the Kyoto Protocol.

In order to ban imports of CFC-using equipment effectively, customs officers

must be able to distinguish between CFC-using and alternative refrigeration
equipment. This requires adequate training and information for customs
officers.

Publication and promotion of the phase-out schedule for CFCs will

discourage potential purchasers of new CFC refrigeration and air-
conditioning equipment.

A number of developed countries have levied taxes on imports and sales Taxes and price
of CFCs in order to reduce their consumption. Tax levels vary widely from regulation (economic
one country to another. Some countries introduced taxes at a relatively low disincentives)
level and then increased them to several times the original market prices
of the substances.

The purpose of these taxes is to raise the price of CFC refrigerants,

encouraging end-users to switch to alternative refrigerants, and to foster
better practices and recycling of the refrigerants whenever possible.
Furthermore, the tax revenue can be specifically used for the promotion
of CFC recycling.

The following factors should be taken into account when levying taxes on
CFC refrigerants:

• Taxable substances and tax level

• Availability of substitutes
• Information for end-users
• Risk of illegal imports
• Government enforcement capacity.

In most countries, taxes have been levied only for CFCs, including aerosol, Taxable substances
foam and refrigeration applications. The tax level is designed to make the and tax level
refrigerant several times more expensive than its pre-tax price.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

However, it is difficult to evaluate the real effect of taxes when they are
accompanied by a general phase-out plan or ban on CFC use. The taxes
have a relatively large effect on the retail price of products such as foams,
aerosols and large refrigeration and air-conditioning facilities. They have
less impact on the price of CFC-using mobile A/C or domestic refrigerators
because of the relatively high prices of the refrigeration equipment and
the small quantities of CFCs involved.

Several countries have also levied taxes on HCFCs in order to reduce their
value as a substitute for CFC refrigerants.

The appropriate tax level should be balanced between several factors:

• The tax level should be high enough to make the switch to alternative
non-CFC refrigerants attractive to consumers.
• The tax level should be high enough to make the recycling of CFC
refrigerants attractive.
• The tax level should not be too high, since this makes illegal imports
attractive. If this occurs, strict controls must be applied.

As these points counteract each other, individual assessments are needed

for each country.

Availability of Taxes aimed at substituting CFC refrigerants will not be successful unless
substitutes reasonably priced alternative refrigerants and equipment is available. When
drop-in substitution is possible, only the alternative refrigerant is needed,
but otherwise reasonably priced alternative refrigeration equipment must
be available as well.

If cost-efficient alternatives are not available, the users of refrigeration

appliances will tend to run them until the end of their economic life and
increasingly apply good practices and recycling. However, the way in which
owners react to the tax also depends on the availability of appropriate
information from refrigeration service companies, e.g. on the economic
implications of the different options.

It is advisable to encourage refrigeration associations to distribute information

on alternative refrigerants available on the international markets. This will,
in turn, encourage the distributors to import them.

Information Refrigeration service companies are usually not directly affected by the tax,
for end-users because they simply pass it on to the end users. However, they should be
interested in promoting alternative refrigerants and equipment in order to
sustain their business in the long term. They should therefore familiarise
themselves with the new technologies and pass their knowledge on to
their customers.

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Once end users are informed about alternative refrigerants and technology,
they will purchase non-CFC solutions from their suppliers.

Higher prices of CFC refrigerants may foster illegal imports, which have Risk of illegal imports
been observed in several countries which have levied CFC taxes.

Illegal imports may undermine the move towards alternative refrigerants

and refrigerant recycling, resulting in continued emission of CFC refrigerants
to the atmosphere and encouraging users to ignore the phase-out plan
for CFCs.

When a country imposes taxes on CFC refrigerants, administrative resources Government

must be provided for the monitoring and control of the import and sale of enforcement capacity
the taxed substances. When the CFC refrigerants are imported by a limited
number of dealers, this is relatively easy, but when numerous distributors
are involved, the administrative work requires much more effort.

The use of alternative refrigerants and equipment can be promoted through Subsidies and tax
subsidies, tax reductions and duty-free imports. Subsidies may support the exemptions
development of new refrigeration technologies or the installation of available
non-CFC technologies.

Subsidies for the development of new technologies may enable the country
and its industrial sectors to reduce dependency on foreign technology.
However, the countries may have difficulties in raising the necessary funds.
Some countries, such as Denmark, have subsidised the development of
alternative technology with the revenue from the import tax on CFC
refrigerants (see Annex 4).

Another way of eliminating the use of CFC refrigerants is to lift import taxes Training and
on alternative refrigerants and refrigeration appliances, including R&R certification
equipment. This gives non-CFC technology a competitive edge over CFC-
dependent technology. Tax exemptions for R&R equipment also make
recycling more attractive. Such support measures may be financed through
tax revenues from CFC refrigerants and technology.

Another way to reduce CFC emissions is to ensure that technicians are

appropriately trained and that only certified technicians and companies
are allowed to purchase and to handle CFC refrigerants. This can be
achieved through a certification scheme involving training of specialised
personnel in good practices and recycling, as well as control of the purchase
of the necessary R&R equipment.

Such a certification scheme may influence the existing structure of the

refrigeration servicing sector, especially if there is a large informal sector.

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In Denmark (Annex 4), a certification system has been implemented under

which only authorised companies and persons are allowed to recycle and
purchase CFC refrigerants for refilling refrigeration appliances.

Public information The success of an R&R system depends on its acceptance by both the
operators and the end users, and this means that they must be properly
informed.

Operators should be made aware that CFC refrigerants can be recovered

and recycled, and should receive appropriate training.

End users and the owners of refrigeration and air-conditioning facilities

should be made aware of the advantages of recycling refrigerants. This
target group can be informed both through the operators and by means
of public information. It is important that the end users are aware of the
environmental and economic benefits of recycling, as well as of the quality
of the recycled refrigerant.

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Annexes

Annex 1 Experience from Ghana:

CFC refrigerant recycling for domestic,commercial
and mobile refrigeration and air-conditioning

Annex 2 Experience from Guatemala:

CFC refrigerant recycling for domestic,commercial
and industrial refrigeration

Annex 3 Experience from Malaysia:

CFC recycling for MAC sector

Annex 4 Experience from Denmark:

CFC recycling in all sectors

Annex 5: List of approved R&R projects for refrigerants

Annex 6: Glossary & definitions

Annex 7: Further references

Annex 8: About the UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme

Annex 9: Useful contact addresses

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Annex 1: Experience from Ghana:

CFC refrigerant recycling for domestic,
commercial and mobile refrigeration and
air-conditioning

1. Introduction and summary

Ghana is one of the first LVC countries to have successfully implemented a National CFC
Refrigerant Management Programme, primarily consisting of:

• A refrigeration maintenance training programme

• Monitoring of current CFC refrigerant consumption
• Establishment of a R&R system.

The purpose of the National Programme, financed by the Multilateral Fund under the
Montreal Protocol, is to promote good practices for CFC refrigerant management, including
R&R among refrigeration and car service companies.

Training activities in good practices were initiated in 1993. The project for refrigerant
recycling in domestic, commercial and mobile refrigeration and air conditioning got under
way in 1995.

The programme is managed by the NOU within the national Environmental Protection
Agency. The R&R system consists of 12 recycling centers located at 12 regional technical
institutes and universities.

For the R&R project, a total of 14 recycling machines, together with cylinders, leak detectors
etc., were distributed to the 12 centers. From these centers the refrigeration service
companies can borrow the R&R equipment free-of-charge.

A total of 1750 managers, instructors and technicians from refrigeration service companies
and institutes have been trained in good refrigerant management and recycling, resulting in
a remarkable reduction in the use of CFC refrigerants, from about 32 tonnes in 1995 to
about 15 tonnes in 1996. Most of the reduction in the use of CFCs is due to better refrigerant
management, and only to a lesser extent to recycling.

Although some CFC refrigerant has been recycled, especially from major refrigeration plants,
the general impression is that service companies are reluctant to recover and recycle the
refrigerants because the economic incentives (lower costs for new CFCs) are limited and the
companies have to borrow the recycling equipment from the centers each time they need
it. Easier access to the recycling equipment could increase the amounts of CFC recovery and
recycling.

The Government of Ghana has so far (1997) not adopted any legislation supporting the
recovery and recycling of CFC refrigerants. However, draft legislation aimed at tightening the
CFC phase-out (by controlling the imports of CFCs and other ODS) has been considered by
the Government.

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2. Organisation
The RMP and R&R projects are implemented by the National Ozone Unit, within the national
EPA, and with technical assistance primarily given by the Accra Technical Training Center
(ATTC) and two local consultants.

Within ATTC a National Refrigeration Demonstration Center (NRDC) has been established in
order to organise and conduct training in good refrigerant management, to develop a facility
for refrigerant R&R and to act as an information center within the field.

The National CFC Refrigerant Management Programme receives assistance from UNEP and
UNDP.

3. Project design
The programme consists of the following steps:

• Establishment of project organisation, including establishment of refrigerant management

training centers
• Establishment of CFC refrigerant recycling centers in the regional capitals (12 centers)
• Establishment of a national co-ordination center (NRDC) for the R&R system
• Appointment of consultants and suppliers of equipment
• Distribution of recycling equipment among the regional technical institutes (1 recycling
machine for each of the 12 regional centers and one extra for two of the centers located
in large cities)
• Training of 30 trainers from technical institutes
• Training of personnel from workshops (a total of 1750 managers and technicians), all
members of the National Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Workshop Owners Association
(NARWOA)
• Public awareness campaigns
• Follow-up information to workshops etc.
• Monitoring of the use of recycling machines, current imports and consumption of CFCs.
• Drafting legislation
• Monitoring of refrigeration workshops to ensure compliance with techniques acquired
during the training courses.

The establishment of a national Refrigeration Institute has been initiated in order to stimulate
co-operation within the commercial and industrial refrigeration sectors and to improve the
exchange of information among centers around the world.

4. Technical set-up
The technical set-up of the R&R system is mostly a decentralised one, given that the recycling
machines are distributed throughout the country and that CFC refrigerant recycling takes
place on site.

The recycling machines are stationed at the centers, where the refrigeration service
companies borrow them free of charge. The transport from and back to the centers is
provided by the centers, but must be paid for by the service companies.

The recycling machines chosen for the project are automatic recycling machines, which

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recover and recycle the refrigerant in two consecutive steps. This means that the recovered
and recycled refrigerant will be recharged into the same refrigeration facility from which it
was recovered.
The recovery procedure takes about 10 minutes per kg of refrigerant recycled, which
accounts for most of the additional labour time required by the recycling operation. In most
cases, the refrigerant left in the serviced refrigeration facilities can be recycled and purified to
a satisfactory quality. In a few cases, such as compressor burnout, the refrigerant cannot be
recycled. The non-recyclable CFC is vented to the air as there exist no facilities for disposal.

The recycling machines indicate automatically when the refrigerant has been purified to
SAE/ULC quality standards.

5. Achievements and experience gained

By 1997, about 2 tonnes of CFC refrigerants had been recycled in connection with the
national R&R programme – 1.2 tonnes in 1995 and 0.8 tonnes in 1996. In 1996 the amount
was divided among the following types of refrigeration facilities:

• 90 kg of CFC-12 from commercial refrigeration and A/C (an average of 10 kg per operation)
• 600 kg of CFC-11 from chillers (an average of 50 kg per operation)
• 100 kg of CFC-12 from MAC (an average of about 0.5 kg per operation)
• 10 kg of CFC-12 from domestic refrigerators (an average of less than 0.1 kg per operation).

A few refrigeration service companies have bought refrigerant recycling equipment

themselves. It is not known how much CFC these companies have recycled.

Based on import statistics, there has been a reduction in CFC refrigerant imports from about
32 tonnes in 1995 to about 15 tonnes in 1996. This reduction is primarily due to better
management of the CFC refrigerants, and to a lesser extent to recycling of CFCs.

One reason for the reduced use of CFC refrigerants is the avoidance of several forms of
malpractice, such as:

• Cleaning of the refrigeration system with CFC

• Leak testing with CFC
• Over-charging of the system with CFC refrigerants.

Avoidance of these practices has resulted in a two-fold, and in some instances three-fold
reduction of the amount of refrigerants consumed. Given that the volume of illegal CFC
imports in the same period has declined, these official figures seem to be reliable.

6. Economics of refrigerant R&R

Investments:
In the R&R project the refrigeration service companies borrow the R&R equipment from the
centers. Hence, the companies do not need to invest in the equipment (which costs
approximately US$ 4,500 per recycling machine, including refillable cylinders and
accessories).

The only investment made by the refrigeration service companies is the time spent on
training, usually two or three days for the workshop manager or one technician. With labour

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costs at between US$5-10 per day, the investment for each workshop is between US$15-30.

Operating Costs:
The operating costs of the companies for a recycling operation only include the labour costs:
time for organising transport of the recycling machine, recovery of refrigerant and the cost
of transport of the equipment. Maintenance and change of filters are the responsibility of the
recycling centers and are covered in the project budget.

The market price of CFC-12 and -11 is about US$4 per kg (1997 figures). With labour costs
of between US$0.5 - 1.2 per hour, this would seem to make recycling profitable.

Transport of the recycling machine normally costs between US$2-5. This means that at least
several kgs of CFCs must be recycled in order to make the operation profitable.

However, a number of factors make recycling less attractive:

• Recycling is not relevant in all workshop jobs.

• Whenever the service companies want to recycle refrigerants, they must collect the
equipment from a center.
• Only a small amount of CFC can be recovered from small plants.
• In some cases, the owner of the refrigeration facility may claim the ownership of the
recycled refrigerant.

If the refrigeration companies had to pay for renting the equipment, recycling would be even
less attractive for them. Most of the companies cannot afford to invest in R&R equipment
themselves, and, with interest rates for private loans as high as 45%, credit would be far too
expensive.

7. Legislation
As mentioned above, the Government of Ghana had not – at the time of initiation of the R&R
programme – adopted any legislation directly or indirectly supporting CFC refrigerant
recycling. The EPA has drafted an Act of Parliament for strengthening the control of chemical
imports, including ODS.

8. Attitude towards CFC recycling

Experience with the project shows that the attitude to better management of CFC
refrigerants is positive, resulting in reduced consumption and emission of CFC to the
atmosphere. The attitude towards recycling of CFC refrigerants is positive as well. However,
the added administrative and economic load for the service companies discourages them
from using R&R equipment.

9. Outstanding questions
It would be possible to recycle greater volumes of CFC refrigerant if more equipment were
available and accessible to the workshops, and if the equipment could be bought at a much
lower, subsidised price.

The problem of the disposal of non-recyclable CFCs still remains to be solved.

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Annex 2: Experience from Guatemala:

CFC refrigerant recycling for domestic,
commercial and industrial refrigeration

1. Introduction and summary

Guatemala has successfully implemented a National CFC Refrigerant R&R Programme,
primarily consisting of two recycling projects, one for the domestic, commercial and industrial
refrigeration sectors and one for the mobile air-conditioning sector.

The purpose of the projects, financed by the Multilateral Fund, is to promote R&R among
refrigeration and car service companies.

The project for refrigerant recycling in domestic, commercial and industrial refrigeration was
launched in April 1997. In this project a number of training courses have been organised,
and several R&R machines have been distributed to selected users. The project for MAC,
financed as a bilateral project by US EPA, was about to start in mid 1997.

A total of 104 recovery and 4 recycling machines will be distributed for the domestic,
commercial and industrial refrigeration project, and 24 recycling machines for the MAC
project.

The Government of Guatemala had not – by 1997 - approved or implemented any legislation
supporting the R&R of CFC refrigerants. The NOU within the Comisión Nacional de Medio
Ambiente (CONAMA) has made extensive efforts to register all companies and institutions
involved in the import, transport and use of CFC refrigerants. Legislation to regulate the use
of ODS was recently prepared by CONAMA and submitted to the government, requiring
importers to be registered and to submit annual reports on imports to the CONAMA.

2. Organisation
The R&R project has been implemented by the NOU with technical assistance from a local
company, EXEA, and funded by the Multilateral Fund through UNDP.

The MAC project, which is supported by US EPA, will be implemented with assistance from
the American consulting company ICF.

3. Project design
The project for domestic, commercial and industrial refrigeration consists of:

• Establishment of project organisation, including establishment of a Refrigeration Engineering

Association, and a network for CFC recycling among local technical institutes
• Appointment of a consultant and suppliers of equipment
• Selection of participating refrigeration service workshops (104 out of about 350)
• Public awareness campaigns
• Training of trainers at technical institutes
• Training of technicians (1-2 technicians from each participating service company, trained
in groups of 8-10 companies)
• Distribution of recycling equipment among the selected workshops (1 recovery machine

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for small and medium-sized workshops and recycling machines for 4 large service
companies)
• Organisation of the network: allocating the small workshops to the four recycling centers
and establishing the logistics (transport, reporting and quality control)
• Follow-up information to workshops etc.
• Monitoring of the use of recycling machines and current imports and consumption
• Commissioning of machines to the workshops after two years of operation.

The design of the MAC project still lacks some details and is pending completion.

4. Technical set-up
The technical set-up for the R&R project within domestic, commercial and industrial
refrigeration is a "semi-centralised" system in the sense that activities are divided into four
regions, each with one recycling machine operating as a center for a number of recovery
machines.

Two of the recycling machines are situated in the capital, Guatemala City, while a third one
is placed in the northern harbour town of Puerto Barrios, and the forth one in the major
southern harbour town of Puerto Quetzal. This system will require transport of the recovered
refrigerant to the recycling centers.

A total of 104 recovery and 4 recycling machines, each with two refillable cylinders and other
accessories, will be distributed to a similar number of refrigeration workshops. The recovery
machine has a vapour rate of 0.4 kg/min and a liquid rate of 1.8 kg/min (the average 60
kg/hour will depend on the amount recovered; large amounts could be faster and small
amounts slower). The recycling machine chosen for the project can recycle up to 40 kg (8
hours operation) without the operator’s supervision.

The recovery procedure takes 2–10 minutes per operation, which accounts for most of the
additional working time necessary for the recycling operation. The cleaning of the recovered
CFC takes about 6 hours for a full cylinder (5 kg per hour), but this can be done automatically
outside working hours. The recycled CFC meets the SAE J1991 or ARI 700 quality standards.

5. Achievements and experience gained

It cannot yet be stated exactly how much CFC has been recycled as a result of the project
because very few machines have been distributed.

However, one workshop repairing domestic refrigerators, and a workshop repairing

commercial and industrial refrigeration facilities, have gained some experience.
The domestic refrigerator workshop, which is an in-house workshop for the major soft drink
distributors, maintains some 35,000 refrigerators of its own. The workshop is equipped with
a recovery machine, cylinders and other accessories. When servicing the refrigerators, the
CFC is recovered and stored in refillable cylinders. The CFC is re-charged into the repaired
refrigerators without further purification. In case of compressor burnout the CFC is stored in
separate cylinders and is not reused. The CFC from worn-out refrigerators is recovered and
reused whenever possible.

The commercial and industrial workshop, which services a number of large commercial and
industrial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, has been equipped with a recovery

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machine and filter units as well as cylinders and other accessories. The company frequently
services refrigeration facilities with 50-100 kg of CFC. Depending on the nature of the
service, the refrigerant is refilled after the service or stored in refillable cylinders for
subsequent purification or destruction. Once the recycling system is fully established, the
recovered CFC will be sent to one of the recycling centers for purification.

6. Economics of recycling
The economic results of the CFC recycling project are considered to be positive for the
participating companies, although the profit has not yet been estimated. The recovery
procedures are not considered to be time-consuming because the machines are almost
entirely automatic.

Investments:
The only investment by the companies is the time spent on a training course, lasting less
than three days.

Operating Costs:
For domestic refrigerators the recovery procedure takes only a few minutes and is therefore
not considered to add working time for the repair. For the large commercial and industrial
refrigeration facilities, the time for the recovery of refrigerants depends on the amount of
refrigerants. However, here also, the recovery procedure does not add appreciably to the
time the procedure takes without recovery, since during recovery a number of other activities
can be performed.

The cost of filters, repair and maintenance of the equipment etc. is also considered to be low.

In spite of the fact that new refrigerants are currently inexpensive (1997 prices: CFC-11:
US$4/kg, CFC-12: US$5/kg, HCFC-22: US$5.5/kg, HFC-134a: US$19/kg), recovery is
attractive to the service workshops due to its very low costs.

The labour cost is approximately 15 Q (US$ 2.6) per hour, or 0.5–2.5 Q (US$ 0.1-0.4) per
operation, which makes the operation profitable for the workshops.

7. Legislation
Guatemala had by 1997 no legislation directly supporting R&R activities, but the ODS phase-
out scheme for Article 5 countries has been adopted as national legislation. In addition to
this, the NOU has established a registry for all refrigeration workshops in the country,
according to the various categories. Furthermore, by 1997 all importers of ODS must be
registered with CONAMA, and apply for an import permit for these substances. They also
must prepare annual reports on the amounts imported and sold.

8. Attitude towards CFC recycling

The experience from the project shows that the attitude towards R&R varies widely from one
workshop to the other. Some workshops consider the participation in the project a good
opportunity to "do something for the environment", combined with the possibility of
improving the service and making a small but real profit, while others show limited interest
in the activity.

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The larger, better-organised workshops that participated in the training courses are relatively
positive, and seem to consider the activity attractive both from an economic and business
point of view. However, it is not clear what their attitude would be if they had to pay the full
price, or even a reduced price, for the equipment. The main obstacle to R&R seems to be the
high cost of the equipment.

None of the workshops has any doubts about the quality of the recycled CFC. The workshops
involved in the programme are convinced of the high quality of recycled CFC, and their only
concern is for the refrigerants recovered after compressor burnout. In these cases the
refrigerant is not recycled, but stored in separate cylinders.

9. Outstanding questions
It is still uncertain how much refrigerant can actually be recycled.

Experience shows that it is difficult to involve all refrigeration workshops in the refrigerant
recycling activities, probably due to the lack of information, and the fear that the recycling
operation creates additional costs.

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Annex 3: Experience from Malaysia:

CFC recycling for MAC sector

1. Introduction and summary

Malaysia has successfully implemented an R&R project in the mobile air-conditioning sector.
The purpose of the project, financed by the Multilateral Fund, is to encourage car service
companies to recycle CFC refrigerants . In total, 200 R&R machines have been distributed to
t he service workshops.

2. Organisation
The Department of Environment, within the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Environment, implemented the project with technical assistance from a local consulting
company. IBRD acted as the international implementing agency.

3. Project design
The project consists of:

• Project organisation
• Appointment of consultant and supplier of equipment
• Selection of participating workshops (200 out of 700-800)
• Training of technicians (1–2 from each selected workshop)
• Public awareness
• Distribution of recycling equipment among the selected workshops (1 set per workshop)
• Follow-up information to workshops etc.
• Monitoring of the use of recycling machines:
- Quarterly report from workshops to DOE
- Maintenance visits by consultant to workshops
- Unscheduled visits by DOE to workshops
- Final survey for the purpose of handing over the equipment
- Retraining of technicians
- Commissioning of machines to the workshops.

4. Technical set-up
The R&R system was designed as a "decentralised" system in the sense that the available R&R
machines were distributed among selected workshops all over the country. The workshops
recover and recycle the CFC refrigerants themselves. This means that it is not necessary to
transport recovered CFC between the various workshops.

A total of 200 R&R machines, each with two refillable cylinders and accessories, were
distributed to a similar number of workshops. The R&R machines chosen for the project are
"semi-automatic" machines which operate in three steps:

• First, the refrigerant is recovered by vacuum from the air-conditioning system and stored
in a refillable cylinder attached to the R&R machine.
• Then the air-conditioning system is charged with either new or recycled CFC from a
separate cylinder.

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• Once the first cylinder is full, the recovered refrigerant is purified through a filter and
made ready for reuse.

The recovery procedure takes 2–10 minutes, which accounts for most of the additional
labour time needed for the recycling operation. The cleaning of the recovered refrigerant
takes about 6 hours for a full 50 lb cylinder, but this can be done automatically outside
working hours.

The recycled CFC meets the SAE J1991 or ARI 700 quality standards, and in general the car
owners have been satisfied with the recycling scheme, although some required the service
companies to recharge with virgin CFC.

Automatic R&R machines that recover, clean and recharge the refrigerant in a single
operation were rejected for this project, because of the poor quality of the recycled CFC they
produce.

5. Achievements and experience gained

80% of the 200 R&R machines that were distributed are currently in use. The remainders are
not being used for reasons such as mechanical defects, lack of skilled operators and lack of
interest from the workshop owners.

It is not known exactly how much CFC has been recycled as a result of the project because
no measurements have been made. The recycling machines are equipped with a clock,
which measures the operation time, but it does not give exact information on how much CFC
is recovered or recycled.

However, comparative estimates based on the purchase of new refrigerant before and after
distribution of the recycling machines by the participating workshops show that the purchase
of new refrigerant has dropped by approximately 20%. This would suggest that, as a result
of the project, at least 20% of the 1997 consumption in the mobile air-conditioning sector
has been recycled.

6. Economics of recycling
The average workshop charges its customers a total of 50 RM (US$20) for servicing, which
includes:

• 15 RM (US$ 6) for the vacuum of the MAC system

• 15 RM (US$ 6) for refilling the system with approximately 0.6 kg of CFC (0.5 kg virgin
CFC); and
• 20 RM (US$ 8) for servicing.

The average workshop costs are:

Investments:
• 500 RM (US$ 200) as a fee for participating in the project, including delivery of a recycling
machine which will become the property of the workshop after two years of proper

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

operation. The market price of the machine is around 10,000 RM (US$ 4,000).
• Costs for attendance of a one or two-day training course.

Operating Costs:
• Labour costs for each recycling operation (2-10 minutes with an average of 5 minutes)
• Costs for changing of filters (costing 170 RM) every 30 hours of operation
• Repair and maintenance costs of the recycling machine (estimated at less than 400 RM –
US$160 – per year).
• Cost of electricity and lubrication oil (negligible).

Labour costs are approximately 3-6 RM (US$ 1.5–3) per operation, which comes to
1,000–2,000 RM (US$400–800) per month, which makes the activity profitable for the
workshops.

7. Legislation
The control of service and installation of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment using
CFC refrigerants is primarily governed by the DOE Guidelines on Control Measures for the
Protection of the Ozone Layer. CFC refrigerants from A/C and refrigeration units must be
recovered and recycled, securely stored or returned to the distributor in connection with the
service, maintenance and decommissioning. Codes of Good Practice should be followed for
design and service. Suppliers and dealers of ODS must be registered, but there are no
requirements for service workshops to be allowed to service or install refrigeration and A/C
equipment, e.g. training or the use of certified of R&R equipment. By the end of 1997, an
Environmental Quality Order was to be enforced, covering requirements for R&R of
refrigerants.

In addition to this, an import tax on CFCs of 8% has been introduced, and the use of ODS
alternatives has been promoted by means of import duty exemption.

Public awareness campaigns have been launched providing information on the

environmental benefits of using recycled instead of virgin CFC refrigerants.

8. Attitude towards CFC recycling

The experience from the project shows that the attitude towards CFC recycling varies widely
from one workshop to the other. Some workshop owners feel that the project gives them an
opportunity to ‘do something for the environment’ while improving their service and making
a profit, while others show only moderate interest in the activity.

Several workshops that were not selected for the project have bought CFC recycling
machines on their own accord, while some of the participating workshops have bought a
second machine. This indicates that at least some workshops are interested in providing
refrigerant recycling service even when the equipment must be bought without subsidies.

9. Outstanding questions
It is still uncertain how much CFC refrigerant can effectively be recovered and recycled in the
mobile air-conditioning sector. The refrigerant charge of MAC systems in need of servicing
varies widely. On average it is less than half of the initial charge, which in Malaysia is

70 UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999

Annexes

approximately 0.6 kg of CFC-12.

Experience shows that it is difficult to persuade some service workshops to

participate in an R&R scheme, even though it may be profitable. And most
workshops are unwilling to report on their activities which creates difficulties for the
monitoring and evaluation of the project.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Annex 4: Experience from Denmark:

CFC recycling in all sectors

1. Introduction and summary

Recycling of CFC refrigerants was introduced in Denmark soon after the first R&R
machine was developed in the late 1970s. Refrigerant recycling has today become
a standard procedure in the refrigeration sector, primarily due to the high cost of
CFC refrigerants, a direct result of the strict Danish legislation aimed at ODS phase-
out.

In 1994 the Danish Government introduced the first special tax on CFCs and halons
and a phase-out schedule for banning ODS for specific applications. This phase-out
plan was later intensified, with the banning of all imports and sales of virgin CFCs
from 1 January 1995.

Refrigerant recycling activities are performed on commercial and industrial

refrigeration systems as well as domestic refrigerators. This also includes mobile air-
conditioning, although this sector is relatively insignificant in Denmark.

2. Organisation
The overall regulatory instruments and strategies for ODS phase-out in Denmark are
formulated by the Danish EPA. In spite of the fact that Denmark, as a member of the
European Union, is bound by EU legislation on ozone layer protection, it has added
its own, more rigorous standards.

CFC recycling in Denmark falls into two types of activity:

• R&R from refrigeration and air-conditioning systems

• Collection and R&R from end-of-life refrigerators.

R&R from refrigeration and air-conditioning systems is administered by an

independent organisation belonging to the Association of Refrigeration Service
Companies, the KMO scheme, voluntarily established in agreement with the Danish
EPA.

The collection of old refrigerators and R&R of the refrigerant is administered by

municipalities, in compliance with a statutory order of the national Government.

3. The KMO Scheme

The KMO scheme was established in 1992 to support a smooth transition to non-
CFC refrigerants, with special emphasis on refrigerant management.

Refrigeration service companies cannot buy CFC refrigerants unless at least one
employee has received training in good practices in the handling of refrigerants and
recycling. Before 1 January 1995 it was still legal to buy virgin CFC refrigerants for
refrigeration equipment, but since that date only recycled CFC has been allowed on
the market.

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According to the agreement with the Environmental Agency, all refrigeration service jobs
using CFCs must be reported to the KMO, which provides an overview of the use of both
new and recycled CFC refrigerants.

Refrigeration service companies are free to recycle refrigerant without restrictions, but they
must report on their activity to the KMO register. They must recover CFC refrigerant whenever
possible, and the CFC which they do not reuse themselves must be delivered to wholesale
companies in cylinders.

The service companies are paid US$ 1.5 per kg of recyclable CFC delivered to the wholesale
companies and US$ 0.7 per kg of non-recyclable CFC. The service companies must pay an
administrative fee of US$ 2 per kg to the KMO for each kg of halogenated refrigerant
(recycled CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs) they buy.

The wholesale companies are responsible for recycling or reclaiming the recovered
refrigerant to an acceptable quality (ARI standard) and for delivering the non-recyclable
refrigerant to a central incineration plant for the destruction of hazardous waste.

The price of CFC refrigerants has risen sharply due to phase-out, and currently stands at
about US$50 per kg – this makes it attractive for the service companies to recycle as much
as possible, rather than delivering it to the wholesalers. Likewise, the wholesalers have an
incentive to recycle, because they can sell the recycled CFC at a price close to the market
rate.

4. Recovery of CFC from old refrigerators

All municipalities, in compliance with a Statutory Order of 1995, must take charge of the
collection of old refrigerators and the recovery of the refrigerants. In practice, most of the
municipalities, except for the large cities, have joined together in mutual schemes.

In most townships the waste management department collects old refrigerators upon
request, transporting them to central recycling centers where the refrigerant is recovered and
stored in cylinders. The recovered refrigerant is delivered to a reclaim center, which either
cleans up the refrigerant or ensures its destruction. The costs of these schemes are covered
by municipal income tax.

Parallel to this municipal scheme, household appliance stores, when selling a new
refrigerator, collect the old one free of charge. A surcharge of approximately US$40 is added
to the price of new refrigerators to cover the dealers’ costs of transporting the old
refrigerators to the municipal collection centers. The dealers have to pay the collection
centers approximately US$20 for the disposal of the refrigerators.

It has been estimated that the costs of recovering CFC from refrigerators are between US$
100–300 per kg of CFC. However, some municipal governments have brought this cost
down by making use of employment projects and various types of subsidised activities.

5. Achievements and experience gained

The tax on imported CFC refrigerants had no immediate effect on recycling activities, but it
did contribute to a growing awareness of the ozone issue and the fact that there would soon
be a shortage of CFC refrigerants.

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

The ban on imports of CFC refrigerants created a shortage and market prices increased
significantly. They now range between US$ 30–70 per kg.

The exact volume of CFC refrigerants recycled internally by the service companies is not
known, but in 1996 some 30 tonnes of CFC refrigerants were returned to the wholesalers
for recycling or destruction.

6. Economics of recycling
Most refrigeration service companies have invested in R&R equipment, and the high market
prices of CFC obviously make this a profitable business.

7. Attitude towards CFC recycling

There is a generally positive attitude towards CFC recycling among the refrigeration service
companies, the public and the owners of refrigeration facilities.

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Annex 5: List of approved R&R projects for refrigerants

As of July 1999, 109 technical assistance and demonstration projects related to R&R of
refrigerants had been approved by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

Out of 109 approved projects, 25 more recent projects were approved in the framework of
RMPs. In total, 50 projects (46%) are completed (COM) or closed (CLO), 50 projects (46%)
are ongoing (ONG) and 9 projects (8%) are newly approved in 1999 (NEW).

The Executive Committee approved 73 projects (67%) for the implementing agencies UNDP,
UNIDO and IBRD and 36 projects (33%) for bilateral implementation. Table 9 demonstrates
the share for each agency and the implementation status and Table 10 contains the list of
approved R&R projects as of July 1999.

The Access database "Inventory of Approved Projects" [20] contains more detailed
information and is regularly up-dated by the Multilateral Fund Secretariat.

AGENCY TOTAL NUMBER NEWLY ONGOING COMPLETED

OF PROJECTS APPROVED PROJECTS OR CLOSED
PER AGENCY PROJECTS PROJECTS
(% of agency total) (% of agency total) (% of agency total)

UNDP 44 4% 57% 39%

UNIDO 15 40% 7% 53%

IBRD 14 36% 64%

USA 19 32% 68%

Canada 5 100%

Germany 5 20% 60% 20%

France 3 100%

Australia 2 50% 50%

Denmark 1 100%

Finland 1 100%

TOTAL 109 8% 46% 46%

Table 9: Share of R&R projects for each agency and implementation status as of July 1999

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 75

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

NO COUNTRY DATA BASE CODE PROJECT TITLE AGENCY APPROVAL STATUS

1 Kenya n.a. R&R project Germany Jul-99 NEW

2 Nepal n.a. RMP implementation:
National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Jul-99 NEW
3 Sudan n.a. RMP implementation: R&R project UNIDO Jul-99 NEW
4 Romania n.a. RMP implementation: R&R project UNIDO Jul-99 NEW
5 Macedonia n.a. RMP implementation: R&R project UNIDO Jul-99 NEW
6 Jordan n.a. RMP implementation: National R&R project UNIDO Jul-99 NEW
7 Honduras n.a. RMP implementation: National R&R project UNIDO Jul-99 NEW
8 Croatia n.a. RMP implementation: National R&R project UNIDO Jul-99 NEW
9 Niger NER/REF/27/TAS/07 RMP implementation:
National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Mar-99 NEW
10 Antigua and ANT/REF/26/TAS/06 RMP implementation: Barbuda
Barbuda National R&R project Canada Nov-98 ONG
11 Botswana BOT/REF/26/TAS/06 RMP implementation: Germany Nov-98 ONG
12 Global GLO/REF/26/TAS/172 RMP implementation: 14 LVC
countries in Eastern and Southern Africa Germany Nov-98 ONG
13 Swaziland SWA/REF/26/TAS/05 RMP implementation Germany Nov-98 ONG
14 Burundi BDI/REF/26/TAS/05 RMP implementation:
National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Nov-98 ONG
15 Gabon GAB/REF/26/TAS/06 RMP implementation:
National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Nov-98 ONG
16 Nicaragua NIC/REF/25/TAS/06 RMP implementation Finland Jul-98 ONG
17 Dominican DOM/REF/25/TAS/13 RMP implementation:
Republic National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Jul-98 ONG
18 El Salvador ELS/REF/25/TAS/09 RMP implementation:
19 Moldova MOL/REF/25/TAS/02 RMP implementation:
National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Jul-98 ONG
20 Saint Kitts STK/REF/24/TAS/04 RMP implementation Canada Mar-98 ONG
and Nevis
21 Cote d'Ivoire IVC/REF/24/TAS/10 RMP implementation France Mar-98 ONG
22 Namibia NAM/REF/24/TAS/05 R&R project: R&R of CFC-12 integrated
with the introduction of
hydrocarbon technology in the service sector Germany Mar-98 COM
23 Guyana GUY/REF/23/TAS/08 RMP implementation:
National R&R programme Canada Nov-97 ONG
24 Saint Lucia STL/REF/23/TAS/04 RMP implementation Canada Nov-97 ONG
25 Lebanon LEB/REF/23/TAS/21 R&R project: Implementation
of an ODS R&R network France Nov-97 ONG
26 Morocco MOR/REF/23/TAS/17 R&R project:
Implementation of an ODS R&R network France Nov-97 ONG
27 Bahamas BHA/REF/23/TAS/05 RMP implementation: National programme
for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Nov-97 ONG

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NO COUNTRY DATA BASE CODE PROJECT TITLE AGENCY APPROVAL STATUS

28 Georgia GEO/REF/23/TAS/04 RMP implementation: R&R project: National

programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Nov-97 ONG
29 Trinidad TRI/REF/23/TAS/09 RMP implementation: R&R project:
and Tobago National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Nov-97 ONG
30 Jamaica JAM/REF/23/DEM/07 MAC R&R project:
MAC demonstration project USA Nov-97 ONG
31 Trinidad TRI/REF/23/DEM/08 MAC R&R project:
and Tobago MAC demonstration project USA Nov-97 ONG
32 Turkey TUR/REF/23/DEM/32 MAC R&R project: MAC servicing
demonstration project USA Nov-97 ONG
33 Venezuela VEN/REF/22/TAS/55 R&R project: Implementation
of a centralized reclamation plant
for recovered refrigerants
in the commercial refrigeration
and air-conditioning sector Canada May-97 ONG
34 Bahrain BAH/REF/22/TAS/04 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-97 ONG
35 Lesotho LES/REF/22/TAS/04 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-97 ONG
36 Mozambique MOZ/REF/22/TAS/06 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-97 ONG
37 Tanzania URT/REF/22/TAS/08 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-97 ONG
38 Venezuela VEN/REF/22/TAS/58 R&R project:
Recovery and reclamation of refrigerants UNDP May-97 ONG
39 Benin BEN/REF/22/TAS/04 R&R project: Refrigerant R&R scheme UNIDO May-97 COM
40 Burkina Faso BKF/REF/22/TAS/05 R&R project: Refrigerant R&R scheme UNIDO May-97 COM
41 Gambia GAM/REF/22/TAS/05 R&R project: Refrigerant R&R scheme UNIDO May-97 COM
42 Guinea GUI/REF/22/TAS/05 R&R project: Refrigerant R&R scheme UNIDO May-97 COM
43 Philippines PHI/REF/22/TAS/49 R&R project: National CFC R&R scheme UNIDO May-97 COM
44 Senegal SEN/REF/22/TAS/08 R&R project: Refrigerant R&R scheme UNIDO May-97 COM
45 Vietnam VIE/REF/20/DEM/14 R&R project: Demonstration project
CFC recycling and emissions
reduction in the commercial refrigeration sector Australia Oct-96 ONG
46 Bolivia BOL/REF/20/TAS/04 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Oct-96 ONG
47 Central African CAF/REF/20/TAS/05 R&R project:
Republic National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Oct-96 ONG
48 Congo PRC/REF/20/TAS/04 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Oct-96 ONG
49 Sri Lanka SRL/REF/20/TAS/08 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerants UNDP Oct-96 ONG

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NO COUNTRY DATA BASE CODE PROJECT TITLE AGENCY APPROVAL STATUS

50 Vietnam VIE/REF/20/DEM/13 R&R project:

Demonstration project
in CFC recycling and emissions reduction
in the commercial refrigeration sector UNDP Oct-96 ONG
51 Vietnam VIE/REF/20/DEM/15 MAC R&R project:
MAC servicing demonstration project USA Oct-96 ONG
52 Malawi MLW/REF/19/TAS/05 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-96 COM
53 Uganda UGA/REF/19/TAS/05 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-96 COM
54 Zambia ZAM/REF/19/TAS/06 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-96 COM
55 Peru PER/REF/19/TAS/17 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP May-96 ONG
56 Chile CHI/REF/19/DEM/15 MAC R&R project:
Demonstration mobile air-conditioning (MAC)
and refrigerated transport (RT) USA May-96 COM
57 China CPR/REF/19/DEM/163 MAC R&R project: Refrigeration mobile
air-conditioning (MAC) servicing USA May-96 COM
58 Guatemala GUA/REF/19/DEM/10 MAC R&R project:
Mobile air-conditioning (MAC)
and refrigerated transport (RT) USA May-96 COM
59 Costa Rica COS/REF/19/DEM/09 MAC R&R project:
Mobile air-conditioning (MAC)
and refrigerated transport (RT) USA May-96 ONG
60 Malaysia MAL/REF/18/TAS/77 R&R project:
Reduction of the consumption
of ODSs in the commercial
air-conditioning sector via training,
R&R of CFC-11 and CFC-12
in chillers at Mashrae IBRD Nov-95 ONG
61 Uruguay URU/REF/18/TAS/19 R&R project: R&R of CFC-12
in maintenance workshops
for industrial refrigeration equipment IBRD Nov-95 ONG
62 Dominican DOM/REF/18/TAS/06 R&R project: Demonstration project
Republic in commercial refrigeration
(food storage, distribution and retailing) UNDP Nov-95 COM
63 Jamaica JAM/REF/18/TAS/03 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Nov-95 COM
64 Mexico MEX/REF/18/TAS/43 R&R project:
Recovery of CFC-12 servicing
of domestic refrigeration
at Vitromatic Comercial y Servicios Integrados UNDP Nov-95 COM
65 Region: LAC LAC/REF/18/TAS/15 R&R project: Regional Latin America
demonstration project
in recovery of ODS in MACs:
Phase I (Argentina, Colombia) UNDP Nov-95 COM

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NO COUNTRY DATA BASE CODE PROJECT TITLE AGENCY APPROVAL STATUS

66 Global GLO/REF/18/TAS/90 R&R project:

Global MACs project: Phase 2 UNDP Nov-95 ONG
67 Guatemala GUA/REF/18/TAS/09 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Nov-95 ONG
68 Panama PAN/REF/18/TAS/06 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Nov-95 ONG
69 Barbados BAR/REF/18/TAS/04 R&R project: CFC-recovery,
recycling and training in refrigeration UNIDO Nov-95 COM
70 Dominican DOM/REF/18/DEM/05 R&R project:
Republic Demonstration project
in commercial refrigeration
(food storage, distribution and retailing) USA Nov-95 COM
71 Philippines PHI/REF/18/DEM/41 MAC R&R project:
MACs servicing demonstration project USA Nov-95 ONG
72 Argentina ARG/REF/17/TAS/24 R&R project: Provision of
training in leak reduction,
emission control and recycling
and management of non-CFC
refrigerants in domestic and
commercial refrigeration
and air-conditioning Australia Jul-95 COM
73 China CPR/REF/17/TAS/130 R&R project:
Establishment of a CFC recycling
centre at Zhejiang Dongyang
Chemical Factory Denmark Jul-95 COM
74 China CPR/REF/17/DEM/131 R&R project: Demonstration project
(refrigeration - large food stores) UNDP Jul-95 COM
75 Colombia COL/REF/17/TAS/19 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Jul-95 ONG
76 Mauritius MAR/REF/17/TAS/07 R&R project:
National CFC-12 R&R
programme and demonstration
of retrofit technology
in commercial refrigeration UNDP Jul-95 ONG
78 Zimbabwe ZIM/REF/17/TAS/04 R&R project:
CFC refrigerant recovery
and reclaim project UNIDO Jul-95 COM
79 Dominican DOM/REF/17/DEM/03 MAC R&R project:
Republic Demonstration project in MACs USA Jul-95 COM
80 China CPR/REF/17/DEM/135 R&R project:
Demonstration project
(refrigeration - large food stores) USA Jul-95 COM
81 Argentina ARG/REF/16/DEM/22 MAC R&R project:
MAC servicing demonstration USA Mar-95 COM
82 China CPR/REF/16/DEM/117 MAC R&R project:
MAC servicing demonstration USA Mar-95 COM

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 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

NO COUNTRY DATA BASE CODE PROJECT TITLE AGENCY APPROVAL STATUS

83 Indonesia IDS/REF/15/TAS/29 MAC R&R project:

Reduction of CFC-12 emission
during service of MAC by use
of recycling equipment IBRD Dec-94 ONG
84 Venezuela VEN/REF/15/TAS/32 MAC R&R project:
Pilot project for MAC R&R of CFC-12
in MAC (Phase II) UNDP Dec-94 COM
85 Cuba CUB/REF/15/TAS/04 R&R project:
National programmefor R&R of refrigerant UNDP Dec-94 COM
86 Colombia COL/REF/15/DEM/13 MAC R&R project:
MAC emissions reduction
demonstration programme USA Dec-94 COM
87 Venezuela VEN/REF/15/DEM/30 MAC R&R project: Demonstration project
in the refrigeration sector USA Dec-94 COM
88 Mexico MEX/REF/13/DEM/27 MAC R&R project:
Demonstration project in MAC USA Jul-94 COM
89 Venezuela VEN/REF/13/DEM/28 MAC R&R project: Demonstration project in MAC USA Jul-94 COM
90 Venezuela VEN/REF/12/DEM/26 MAC R&R project: Pilot programme in MAC
R&R of CFC-12 in MAC UNDP Mar-94 COM
91 Uruguay URU/REF/12/TAS/04 R&R project: Conservation and
demonstration programme for domestic
and commercial refrigeration
and installation of R&R equipment UNDP Mar-94 COM
92 China CPR/REF/11/TAS/55 R&R project: Survey on policy and
planning measures
to promote recycling of CFC UNDP Nov-93 COM
93 India IND/REF/10/TAS/05 R&R project: Feasibility study for the R&R
of CFC refrigerants UNIDO Jun-93 ONG
94 Venezuela VEN/REF/09/TAS/17 R&R project:
Pilot programme in R&R of CFC-12
in domestic refrigeration UNDP Mar-93 COM
95 Ghana GHA/REF/08/TAS/04 R&R project:
Improved servicing and maintenance
within the refrigeration sector UNDP Oct-92 COM
96 Costa Rica COS/REF/08/TAS/04 R&R project:
National programme for R&R of refrigerant UNDP Oct-92 ONG
97 Venezuela VEN/REF/08/DEM/06 MAC R&R project: Technical assistance
and demonstration project
in CFC recycling in MAC USA Oct-92 COM
98 Jordan JOR/REF/07/DEM/10 R&R project: R&R of CFC-12
in refrigeration equipment
and maintenance procedures
and recycling in halon systems IBRD Jun-92 CLO
99 Chile CHI/REF/07/TAS/22 R&R project: R&R programme
at Central De Servicios Tecnicos (CST) IBRD Jun-92 COM

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Annexes

NO COUNTRY DATA BASE CODE PROJECT TITLE AGENCY APPROVAL STATUS

100 Tunisia TUN/REF/07/TAS/07 R&R project:

Maintenance of domestic, commercial
and industrial refrigeration systems IBRD Jun-92 COM
101 Turkey TUR/REF/07/TAS/03 R&R project: R&R of CFC-12
at a refrigeration production plant IBRD Jun-92 COM
102 Turkey TUR/REF/07/TAS/04 R&R project: Recovery
and reclamation of CFC-12
from household refrigerators IBRD Jun-92 COM
103 Thailand THA/REF/07/TAS/07 MAC R&R project: CFC recycling in MAC IBRD Jun-92 ONG
104 Brazil BRA/REF/07/TAS/07 R&R project: CFC-12 collection,
recycling and conservation programme
for household refrigerator maintenance
and repair shops IBRD Jun-92 ONG
105 Global GLO/HAL/07/DEM/25 R&R project: Procurement of 40 halon
recycling machines for demonstration UNDP Jun-92 COM
106 Malaysia MAL/REF/06/TAS/05 MAC R&R project: Conservation,
leakage control and recycling of CFC-12
and demonstration project in MAC sector IBRD Feb-92 COM
107 China CPR/REF/06/TAS/04 MAC R&R project: Feasibility study
on the application of HFC-134
a technology in MACs and CFC recycling UNDP Feb-92 COM
108 Mexico MEX/REF/05/DEM/06 R&R project: Demonstration programme
in CFC R&R of the Instituto Mexicano
del Seguro Social (IMSS) refrigeration equipment IBRD Nov-91 COM
109 Mexico MEX/REF/05/TAS/08 R&R project: CFC R&R of refrigeration equipment
in Monterrey City (Climas Jiménez) IBRD Nov-91 COM
110 Mexico MEX/REF/05/TAS/13 R&R project: CFC R&R programme
through Quimobásicos, S.A. IBRD Nov-91 COM

Table 10: Refrigerant recovery & recycling projects approved by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral
Fund for the Implementationof the Montreal Protocol, as of July 1999.

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Annex 6: Glossary & definitions

Article 5 country
Developing countries which are Party to the Montreal Protocol with an annual calculated
level of consumption less than 0.3 kg per capita of the controlled substances in Annex A, and
less than 0.2 kg per capita of the controlled substances in Annex B, on the date of entry into
force of the Montreal Protocol, on any time thereafter. These countries are permitted a ten
year grace period compared to the phase-out schedule in the Montreal Protocol for
developed countries.

Blend
A blend is a mixture of two or more pure fluids. A ternary blend contains three fluids. Given
the right composition, blends can achieve properties to fit almost any refrigeration purpose.
For example, a mixture of flammable and non-flammable components can result in a non-
flammable blend. Blends can be divided into three categories: azeotropic, non-azeotropic
and near-azeotropic blends.

CFC
Chlorofluorocarbons - a family of organic chemicals composed of chlorine, fluorine and
carbon atoms, usually characterised by high stability contributing to a high ODP. These fully
halogenated substances are commonly used in refrigeration, foam blowing, aerosols,
sterilants, solvent cleaning, and a variety of other applications. CFCs have the potential to
destroy ozone in the atmosphere.

Chiller
System used for air-conditioning or process cooling based on a water cooling system and
typically found in large buildings, such as hotels, office buildings, and hospitals.

Commercial refrigeration
Refrigeration equipment used at sites where food and/or beverages are warehoused, and all
sites where they are sold to the public.

Domestic refrigeration
Refrigeration equipment for domestic use, usually with a small hermetically sealed
compressor.

Drop-in replacement
The procedure when replacing CFC-refrigerants in existing refrigerating, air-conditioning and
heat pump plants without doing any plant modification. However, drop-in are normally
referred to as retrofitting because minor modifications are needed, such as change of
lubricant, replacement of expansion device and desiccant material.

GWP
The relative contribution of certain substances (greenhouse gases), e.g. carbon dioxide,
methane, CFCs, HCFCs and halons, to the global warming effect when the substances are
released to the atmosphere by combustion of oil, gas, coal (CO2), direct emission, leakage
from refrigerating plants etc. The standard measure of GWP is relative to carbon dioxide
(GWP can be given with 20, 100 or 500 years integration time horizon, but 100 years is most
commonly used.

82 UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999

Annexes

HCFC
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons - a family of chemicals related to CFCs, which contains hydrogen,
chlorine, fluorine, and carbon atoms. HCFCs are partly halogenated and have much lower
ODP than the CFCs. Examples of HCFC refrigerants HCFC-22 (CHClF2) and HCFC-123
(CHCl2F3)

HFC
Hydrofluorocarbons - a family of chemicals related to CFCs, which contains one or more
carbon atoms surrounded by fluorine and hydrogen atoms. Since no chlorine or bromine is
present, HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer. HFCs are widely used as refrigerants. Examples
of HFC refrigerants are HFC-134a (CF3CH2F) and HFC-152a (CHF2CH3).

LVC countries
Low-volume-ODS-consuming countries - defined by the Multilateral Fund's Executive Committee
as Article 5 countries whose calculated level of ODS consumption is less than 360 tonnes annually.

ODP
Ozone depletion potential - a relative index indicating to which extent a chemical product
may cause ozone depletion. The reference level of 1 is the potential of CFC-11 and CFC-12
to cause ozone depletion. If a product has an ozone depletion potential of 0.5, a given
weight of the product in the atmosphere would, in time, deplete half the ozone that the
same weight of CFC-11 would deplete. The ozone depletion potentials are calculated from
mathematical models, which take into account factors such as the stability of the product,
the rate of diffusion, the quantity of depleting atoms per molecule, and the effect of
ultraviolet light and other radiation on the molecules. The substances implicated generally
contain chlorine or bromine.

ODS
Ozone depleting substances - any substance with an ODP greater than 0 that can deplete the
stratospheric ozone layer. Most of ODS are controlled under the Montreal Protocol and its
amendments, and they include CFCs, HCFCs, halons, methyl bromide and carbon tetra chloride.

Recovery
To remove a refrigerant in any condition (vapour, liquid or mixed with other substances) from
a system and to store it in an external container (ISO 11650 definition).

Reclaim
To process used refrigerant to the product specifications of new refrigerant. Chemical analysis
of the refrigerant is required to determine that the appropriate specifications are met. The
identification of contaminants and the required analysis must be specified in national or
international standards for new product specifications (ISO 11650 definition).

Recycling
To reduce the contaminants in used refrigerants by separating oil, removing condensables
and using devices such as filter dryers to reduce moisture, acidity and particulate matter (ISO
11650 definition).

Retrofitting
Conversion of a refrigeration system to an alternative refrigerant with a minimum change to
its cooling performance. Unlike a replacement, only parts or components of the existing
system may need to be replaced.

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 83

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Annex 7: Further references

[1] Case Studies - Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling, UNEP, 1994

[2] Preliminary list of Manufacturers of Recycling, Recovery and Reclaim Equipment
for Refrigerants, UNEP, 1994
[3] Good Practices in Refrigeration - Training Manual, UNEP, 1994
[4] Chillers and Refrigerant Manual - Training Manual, UNEP, 1994
[5] Retrofitting with non-CFC substitutes, UNEP, Information Paper, 1994
[6] Elements for Establishing Policies, Strategies and Institutional Framework for
Ozone Layer Protection, UNEP, 1995
[7] Regulations to Control Ozone-Depleting Substances, UNEP/SEI, 1996
[8] Reducing CFC in Refrigeration: Strategic Options for Countries with Low
CFC Consumption, ICF for USEPA and UNIDO, 1996
[9] Report on UNEP’s continued work on addressing the needs of Low Volume
ODS Consuming Countries, UNEP, (UNEP/Ozl.Pro/ExCom/20/60), 1996
[10] Guidelines for Preparation of Refrigerant Management Plan, UNEP, 1997
[11] Standards:
• ISO 11650 Performance of Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Equipment
• ARI 740.98 Performance of Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Equipment
• ARI 700.93 Specifications for Fluorocarbon and Other Refrigerants
• ARI 700.95 Standard on Recovered Refrigerants
• SAE J1991 Standard of Purity for Use in Mobile Air Conditioning Systems
• SABS 1583:1993 Refrigerant Recycle Equipment for the Minimisation of
Environmental Pollution during the Servicing and Repair of Automotive
Air-Conditioning Equipment, South African Bureau of Standards.
[12] ODS Import/Export Licensing Systems - Policy Design and Setting up of
Legislation, UNEP/SEI, 1998
[13] Guidebook on Implementation of Codes of Good Practice - Refrigeration
Sector, UNEP, 1998
[14] Zero Leaks - Limiting Emissions of Refrigerants, Denis Clodic, ASHRAE, 1998
[15] Designing a Program to Recover CFCs from Domestic Appliances, Environment
Canada
[16] Directory of Certified Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment, ARI,
1998
[17] Handling and Reuse of Refrigerants in the United States, Industry Recycling
Guide 2, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, 1994
[18] Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Criteria, UNEP Ozone Secretariat, 1999
[19] 13th IIR Informatory Note on Refrigerants: Standards for Flammable
Refrigerants
[20] Inventory of Approved Projects, Access database, Multilateral Fund Secretariat,
1999.

84 UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999

Annexes

Annex 8: About UNEP DTIE and its OzonAction

Programme

About the OzonAction Programme

Nations around the world are taking concrete actions to reduce and eliminate emissions of
CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide and HCFCs. When
released into the atmosphere these substances damage the stratospheric ozone layer — a
shield that protects life on Earth from the dangerous effects of solar ultraviolet radiation.
Nearly every country in the world — currently 170 countries -- has committed itself under
the Montreal Protocol to phase out the use and production of ODS. Recognising that
developing countries require special technical and financial assistance in order to meet their
commitments under the Montreal Protocol, the Parties established the Multilateral Fund and
requested UNEP, along with UNDP, UNIDO and the World Bank, to provide the necessary
support. In addition, UNEP supports ozone protection activities in Countries with Economies
in Transition (CEITs) as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Since 1991, the UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme has strengthened the capacity of
governments (particularly National Ozone Units or “NOUs”) and industry in developing
countries to make informed decisions about technology choices and to develop the policies
required to implement the Montreal Protocol. By delivering the following services to
developing countries tailored to their individual needs, the Programme has helped promote
cost-effective ODS phase-out activities at the national and regional levels:

Information Exchange provides information tools and services to encourage and enable
decision makers to make informed decisions on policies and investments required to phase
out ODS. Since the 1991, the Programme has developed and disseminated to NOUs over 100
individual publications, videos, and databases that include public awareness materials, a
quarterly newsletter, a web site, sector-specific technical publications for identifying and selecting
alternative technologies and guidelines to help governments establish policies and regulations.

Training builds the capacity of policy makers, customs officials and local industry to implement
national ODS phase-out activities. The Programme promotes the involvement of local experts
from industry and academia in training workshops and brings together local stakeholders with
experts from the global ozone protection community. UNEP conducts training at the regional
level and also supports national training activities (including providing training manuals and other
materials).

Networking provides a regular forum for officers in NOUs to meet to exchange experiences,
develop skills, and share knowledge and ideas with counterparts from both developing and
developed countries. Networking helps ensure that NOUs have the information, skills and
contacts required for managing national ODS phase-out activities successfully. UNEP currently
operates 4 regional and 3 sub-regional Networks involving more than 109 developing and 8
developed countries, which have resulted in member countries taking early steps to implement
the Montreal Protocol.

Refrigerant Management Plans (RMPs) provide countries with an integrated, cost-effective

strategy for ODS phase-out in the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors. RMPs have evolved

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 85

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

to meet the specific need to assist developing countries (especially those that consume low
volumes of ODS) to overcome the numerous obstacles to phase out ODS in the critical refrigeration
sector. UNEP DTIE is currently providing specific expertise, information and guidance to support
the development of RMPs in 40 countries.

Country Programmes and Institutional Strengthening support the development and

implementation of national ODS phase-out strategies especially for low-volume ODS-consuming
countries. The Programme is currently assisting 91 countries to develop their Country Programmes
and 76 countries to implement their Institutional-Strengthening projects.

For more information about these services please contact:

Mr. Rajendra Shende, Chief, Energy and OzonAction Unit

UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
OzonAction Programme
39-43, quai André Citroën
75739 Paris Cedex 15 France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 50
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: [email protected]
http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction.html.

About the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and

Economics
The mission of the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics is to help decision-
makers in government, local authorities, and industry develop and adopt policies and
practices that:

• are cleaner and safer;

• make efficient use of natural resources;
• ensure adequate management of chemicals;
• incorporate environmental costs;
• reduce pollution and risks for humans and the environment.

The UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics located in Paris, is composed of
one centre and four units:

The International Environmental Technology Centre (Osaka) promotes the adoption and
use of environmentally sound technologies with a focus on the environmental management of
cities and freshwater basins, in developing countries and countries in transition.

The Production and Consumption Unit (Paris) fosters the development of cleaner and safer
production and consumption patterns that lead to increased efficiency in the use of natural
resources and reductions i ution.

The Chemicals Unit (Geneva) promotes sustainable development by catalysing global actions

86 UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999

Annexes

and building national capacities for the sound management of chemicals and the improvement
of chemical safety world-wide, with a priority on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Prior
Informed Consent (PIC, jointly with FAO)

The Energy and OzonAction Unit (Paris) supports the phase-out of ozone depleting substances
in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and promotes good
management practices and use of energy, with a focus on atmospheric impacts. The UNEP/RISØ
Collaborating Centre on Energy and Environment supports the work of the Unit.

The Economics and Trade Unit (Geneva) promotes the use and application of assessment and
incentive tools for environmental policy and helps improve the understanding of linkages
between trade and environment and the role of financial institutions in promoting sustainable
development.

UNEP DTIE activities focus on:

• raising awareness
• improving the transfer of information,
• building capacity,
• fostering technology co-operation,
• partnerships and transfer,
• improving understanding of environmental impacts of trade issues,
• promoting integration of environmental considerations into economic policies,
• and catalysing global chemical safety.

For more information contact:

UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
39-43, Quai André Citroën
75739 Paris Cedex 15, France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 50
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: [email protected]
http://www.uneptie.org.

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 87

 Guidelines for Recovery & Recycling Systems – Refrigeration Sector

Annex 9: Useful contact addresses

Implementing Agencies
Mr Rajendra Shende, Chief
Energy and OzonAction Unit
UNEP DTIE
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroën
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: (33) 1 44 37 14 50
Fax: (33) 1 44 37 14 74
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.unepie.org/ozonaction.html

Mr Frank Pinto, Principal Technical Adviser and Chief

Montreal Protocol Unit, EAP/SEED
UNDP
304 East 45th Street, Room FF-9116
New York, N.Y. 10017
United States
Tel: (1-212) 906 5042 or 906 5004
Fax: (1-212) 906 6947
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.undp.org/seed/eap/montreal

Ms. Yalcindag, Director

Montreal Protocol Branch
Sectoral Support and Environmental Sustainability Division
UNIDO
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 300
A-1400 Vienna
Austria
Tel: (431) 26026 3347
Fax: (431) 26026 6804
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.unido.org

Mr Steve Gorman, Team Leader

Montreal Protocol Operations Unit
Environment Department
World Bank
1818 H Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20433
United States
Tel: (1-202) 473 5865
Fax: (1-202) 522 3258
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.esd.worldbank.org/mp/home.cfm
Email: [email protected]

88 UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999

Annexes

Multilateral Fund Secretariat

Dr. Omar El Arini, Chief Officer
Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Montreal Protocol
27th Floor, Montreal Trust Building
1800 McGill College Avenue
Montreal
Quebec
H3A 6J6
Canada
Tel: (1) 514 282 1122
Fax: (1) 514 282 0068
Email: [email protected]

UNEP Ozone Secretariat

Mr. K. Madhava Sarma, Executive Secretary

UNEP Ozone Secretariat
PO Box 30552 Giriri
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: (254 2) 623 855
Fax: (254 2) 623 913
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.unep.org/unep/secretar/ozone/home.htm

Global Environment Facility

Mr. Frank Rittner, Programme Manager

Global Environment Facility Secretariat
1818 H Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20433
United States
Tel: (1-202) 458 5044
Fax: (1-202) 614 0816
Email: [email protected]

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme 1999 89

UNEP
UNITED NATION ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
DIVISION OF INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMICS
39-43, QUAI ANDRE CITROEN
75739 PARIS CEDEX 15 - FRANCE
TEL : (33) 01 44 37 14 50
FAX : (33) 01 44 37 14 74
E-MAIL : [email protected]
http://www.unepie.org/home.html
 READER FEEDBACK

GUIDELINES FOR RECOVERY & RECYCLING SYSTEMS

REFRIGERATION SECTOR

All of the information services offered by UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme under the
Multilateral Fund are designed to meet the specific needs of target readers such as yourself. In
order for us to determine if this publication adequately meet your needs, as well as to help us
to develop new publications in the future, we request your feedback about its utility, content
and format. Please take a few minutes to express your opinion about this publication,
so that we may serve you better in the future.

1. Quality - please rate the following quality aspects:

Very Good Good Adequate Poor

Objectivity ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
Subject Coverage ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
Up-to-Date ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
Readability ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
Organization ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
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2. Usefulness - how much of this document is useful for you:

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Of technical/substantive value to you? ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
Relevant to you? ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
New to you? ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒
Will be used by you? ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒

3. Effectiveness

This document is designed to assist ozone officers from national ozone units as well as
representatives from refrigeration industry and trade associations in Article 5 countries to design
and implement refrigerant recovery and recycling (R&R) systems. It aims to investigate the
economical and technical feasibility and provides examples of successfully established recycling
and recovery systems. Has this document been effective in meeting these objectives?

Please tick one box: ❒ Fully ❒ Adequately ❒ Inadequately

Please explain the reason for your rating:

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Uses

A. Please indicate in general how you have used the document (tick all that apply):

❒ Guidance on how to design R&R systems

❒ Guidance on how to evaluate the economical and technical feasibility of R&R systems
❒ Guidance on how to implement R&R systems
❒ Guidance on how to establish the legislative framework
❒ Resource document for examples of successfully established R&R systems

B. Please explain in more specifics how the document will/has assisted your ODS phaseout
programme and the implementation of refrigerant recovery and recycling systems in your
country:

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

5. Distribution

A. Will others read your copy?

❒ Yes (If ‘yes’, who?:__________________) ❒ No ❒ Unknown
B. Will you reproduce sections of the document and distribute them to others?
❒ Yes (If ‘yes’, to whom?_______________) ❒ No
C. Did you receive the document directly from UNEP?
❒ Yes ❒ No (If ‘no’, who forwarded it to you?___________________)

6. General observations

Please indicate any changes that would make the document more useful to you in the
future, or any additional comments you have on the utility or shortcomings:

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

7. The following data would be useful for statistical analysis

Please indicate the category which best describes you:

❒ Government ozone unit or other government institutions

❒ Industry and trade associations
❒ Technical training institutes
❒ Other (please specify) ___________________________________________________

Your name (optional) _________________________ Country _________________

Organization ________________________________ Date ___________________

UNEP would like to thank you for completing this questionnaire. Please airmail or fax to:

UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Programme

Tour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën,
75739 Paris Cedex 15, France
Tel: (33-1) 44 37 14 50, Fax: (33-1) 44 37 14 74