Cool cashback for old fridges

MICK ROBERTS

Sydney residents are being paid up to $35 for their old, energy guzzling fridges.
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Verity Firth said the NSW Government Fridge Buyback program was hoping to take 19,000 of the city’s old and wasteful fridges out of circulation over the next three years.
‘Almost a third of Sydney households have a second fridge,’ Ms Firth said. ‘Second fridges are usually older and use up to three times more energy than today’s more efficient models.
‘In fact, the average household can save as much as $190 a year from their electricity bills by getting rid of the second fridge. They can also save eight tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
Under Fridge Buyback:
‘ The fridge must be at least 10 years old and 250 litres in size.
‘ A $35 rebate will be paid and the fridge collected for free where removal involves six or less stairs;
‘ Fridges will be collected for free from homes that have between six and 20 steps;
‘ A nominal collection fee will be charged where more than 20 steps are involved, but all other disposal costs will be met.
‘The collection of 19,000 second fridges will reduce NSW’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 152,000 tonnes per year ‘ the equivalent of taking more than 30,000 cars off the roads,’ Ms Firth said.
The $2.8 million program will be run under the NSW Government’s $340 million Climate Change Fund ‘ designed to help households, schools, community organisations and businesses use energy and water more efficiently.
Fridge Buyback will initially be rolled out in partnership with Sydney councils. To book a collection, visit the Fridge Buyback website at www.fridgebuyback.com.au or call 1800 708 401.