FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I know if my fridge is over 250 litres?

The average family fridge is about 400 litres, including the fridge and freezer sections. Compact fridges typically found in apartments are often under 250 litres and need to be checked to confirm eligibility. Bar fridges are much smaller than 250 litres and are not eligible for the program. You might be able to verify the fridge size by the manufacturer's label or by comparing it to your main fridge if you know its size.

How do I know if my fridge is 10 years old?

Most second fridges are over 10 years old. If you can't recall or are unsure, you might try checking the manufacturer's label. Often if there is no label, this can indicate the fridge is old.

I have more than one spare fridge. Can both be collected?

Yes, all spare fridges that meet the eligibility criteria listed in the Terms can be collected and you will be paid $35 per eligible fridge. A separate Terms Form must be completed for each additional fridge.

My house has a lot of steps. Will you still collect my fridge?

Collection is free for removals involving 6 to 20 interior and exterior steps but no $35 rebate is paid. If the removalists have to transport your fridge up or down more than 20 interior and exterior steps, collection can be arranged for a fee. If you wish to pay to have an eligible fridge removed we will have our removalists contact you to gather information about the collection and then they will provide you with a quote to remove it. If you accept the quote, your fridge collection can be scheduled. This quoted fee will already include a subsidy paid for by Fridge Buyback and taken off the final quoted amount.

These arrangements reflect the additional time and costs involved in safely removing fridges from homes with steps. Also, the removalists have the right to refuse to collect your fridge if they judge the removal to be unsafe or infeasible in any way.

Does Fridge Buyback also collect freezers?

At present, Fridge Buyback is unable to collect freezers as part of the program. The NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme (see below) limits collection to eligible fridges only.

Who will collect my fridge?

Your fridge will be collected by KK Technical Services (www.kkc.com.au). KK Technical Services are experienced removalists and specialists in dealing with fragile and large equipment. Their clipboards will have identification labels that show they are collecting fridges on behalf of Fridge Buyback.

What do I need to do before the fridge is collected?

It is your responsibility to make the fridge safe prior to collection by taking the following steps:

On the day before fridge collection, empty, unplug and defrost the fridge.
Drain any water from inside the fridge, freezer compartment and in any drip trays below the fridge. Ensuring that the fridge and the drip trays below are dry is vital to protect your carpets and floors.
Remove any obstacles from around the fridge or in the house that might make it difficult to get the fridge out of the house. Note that our removalists have the right to refuse to collect your fridge if they judge removal to be unsafe or infeasible in any way.

What do I do if I can't make the scheduled collection date?

Please let us know in advance and we can make an alternative collection date. If our removalists turn up and are unable to make the collection due to your absence, we will not be able to pay the $35 on a subsequent re-booking.

What areas does Fridge Buyback collect from?

Fridge Buyback currently collects from most parts of Metropolitan Sydney. All the Councils participating in Fridge Buyback can be found on the links page. Fridge Buyback does not currently operate in the Blue Mountains, Wollondilly or some semi-rural areas of Sutherland, Penrith, Ryde, Pittwater, Ku-ring-gai, Warringah, Baulkham Hills and Hornsby.

How can I be sure that my fridge will really be recycled and properly degassed?

The NSW Government requires proper refrigerant degassing and recycling of fridges collected by Fridge Buyback. Fridge Buyback has contracted KK Technical Services to provide both the collection and degassing of the fridges.

The refrigerant gasses (CFCs and HCFCs) are extracted from the fridges into cylinders and taken to Heatcraft, for the environmentally safe destruction of the gasses in a plasma furnace under the oversight of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA).

The degassed fridges are taken by OneSteel for metals recycling. Copper and steel are recovered and reprocessed into new metals products. Fridge Buyback is accredited under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme www.greenhousegas.nsw.gov.au.

How and when will I receive my $35 cheque?

At the time of fridge collection, you will be asked to hand your completed Terms Form to our removalists. When Fridge Buyback receives your form, if you are eligible for the $35 payment (eg collection involved 6 or less stairs) we will process your cheque and send it to you by post. This should not take longer than 14 business days. If you do not receive your cheque within this period, please contact us.

Can I leave my fridge outside if I don't want it collected from inside my house?

Please contact Fridge Buyback on 8966 9888 if you are unable to be present for the fridge collection and need to make alternative arrangements. Alternative arrangements will not always be possible. Note that for safety reasons, you are required to remove the doors from your fridge or tape the fridge securely closed if you arrange with Fridge Buyback for the fridge to be left outside. The fridge needs to be left on your property (eg not on the footpath or pavement) and should be kept out of sight due to the risk of theft. The completed and signed Terms Form should also be put inside the fridge. Failure to do so would mean that we cannot remove the fridge nor pay $35.

Why has the NSW Government funded a program to buyback second fridges?

Almost a third of Sydney households have a second fridge. These old fridges are big energy users, consuming up to three times the energy of new fridges. While a second fridge may seem handy, the electricity costs averaging $190 a year are often hard to justify. Old and lightly used second fridges also place an unnecessary load on NSW electricity infrastructure and cause unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The average household can save eight tones of greenhouse gas emissions by getting rid of the second fridge.

The Fridge Buyback Program aims to reduce NSW's greenhouse gas emissions by in excess of 152,000 tonnes by collecting 19,000 second fridges over the next 3 years.

Old fridges are also a source of ozone depleting refrigerant gasses - which are greenhouse gases as well. Fridge Buyback degasses all fridges and environmentally destroys the refrigerants collected. The degassed fridges are subsequently taken for metals recycling.

What is the NSW Climate Change Fund?

Fridge Buyback is supported by a three-year grant of $2.8 million from the NSW Climate Change Fund. The Climate Change Fund was established by the NSW Government to fund programs and activities that save water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions in NSW. It also provides rebates for hot water systems, rainwater tanks, ceiling insulation and water efficient washing machines. More details can be found at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/.

What is the NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme?

The NSW Government has established an emissions trading scheme that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and use of electricity. More details can be found at www.greenhousegas.nsw.gov.au

Who is Next Energy?

Next Energy (www.nextenergy.com.au) is a project manager and adviser to government, industry and environmental groups. Next Energy has been awarded funding by the Department of Environment and Climate Change to coordinate the Fridge Buyback Program. Fridge Buyback is a trading name of Next Energy.