Residents thinking of buying a new fridge or freezer are being asked to think twice about the disposal of their current models.

Last year East Cambridgeshire District Council was called to 35 fly-tips which included a fridge or freezer.

Shockingly, just one fridge containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that has not been disposed of properly causes the same contribution to the greenhouse effect as a small household’s annual electricity requirement or a car’s annual mileage. 

Solar panels on the roof of a detached house would have to generate electricity for a year to compensate for the environmental damage caused.

This is because the chemicals used in them can leak our over time. Their capacity to warm the atmosphere is thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide.

Cllr Julia Huffer, said: “Fly-tipped or abandoned fridges or freezers have the potential to have a have hugely damaging effect on our environment.

“This time of year, many people are considering buying new kitchens or taking advantage of discounts for fridges and freezers in the January sales.

“Unfortunately, while many people are keen to purchase new goods, disposing of the old ones responsibly is not so appealing.

“If you do need to dispose of your fridge please, please do so responsibly.”

You can do this by:

Ordering a bulky waste collection service from the council. We currently charge £30.25 for 3 household items. Fridges and freezers are £30.25 each as this requires additional handling costs to dispose of the gasses

Taking advantage of take-back services from retailers

Taking your fridge or freezer to a household waste recycling centre, such as the one at Witchford (not ammonia fridges often used in vehicles, caravans, and boats as these are not classed as household waste and need to be disposed of via properly licenced commercial contractors who can be found through a Google search). If residents have any further questions, please contact the waste management team wmt@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

We would like to remind households to refuse the services of any waste collector who cannot prove to you that they are a registered waste carrier and cannot satisfactorily confirm where they are taking the waste to. Do not be tempted by cheap offers, it is cheap for a reason but the fixed penalties are not.

For more information on fly-tipping visit the Environmental health pages on our website.