Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program

"Major appliances" are those labor saving devices we all use every day, both at home and at work. When an appliance reaches the end of its useful life, certain potentially harmful chemicals need to be removed before the appliance can safely be recycled or disposed of. Placing a refrigerator in a scrap metal shredder without first removing the refrigerant, for instance, will allow ozone-depleting chemicals to escape, threatening the environment and ultimately, peoples’ health.

In 2006, DTSC established a certification program for individuals and businesses that process major appliances for scrap. Before they crush or bale an appliance, these individuals and businesses are required remove certain potentially harmful materials. Effective January 1, 2006, only a Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) may remove these materials, known as Materials that Require Special Handling (MRSH). DTSC’s program incorporates requirements established by the California Legislature in Assembly Bill 2277 (2004). The objective of this certification program is to make sure that those who recycle appliances do so in a consistent way that protects workers and the public and prevents harmful substances from being released.

In 2007, the California Legislature (Assembly Bill 1447) made changes to the Certified Appliance Recycling (CAR) program to  promote proper recycling of abandoned appliances and to clarify the criteria for recyclers to demonstrate their ability to  properly remove and manage potentially harmful chemicals from discarded major appliances.

As of January 1, 2008 the following changes apply:

• Refrigerant service technicians who are certified under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act may remove refrigerants from discarded major appliances without becoming certified by DTSC to recycle appliances.
  
• Scrap recycling facilities that accept appliances that have already been processed are no longer required to report on the number and type of processed appliances they received on DTSC Form 1430.
  
• A CAR may recycle an abandoned “orphan” appliance that lacks documentation for removal of materials that require special handling, provided certain conditions are met, including the submission of a completed DTSC Form 1459.
  
•   Scrap recycling facilities that accept “orphan appliances” for recycling must submit a monthly report.

The information that an applicant for certification must submit to demonstrate his or her ability to properly remove and manage all MRSH is clarified.

As an appliance recycler, you probably take large appliances to scrap metal facilities.  They are no longer allowed to take discarded large appliances unless it comes with the DTSC Form 1430,signed by a Certified Appliance Recycler or a DTSC Form 1459 designating the appliances as “Orphan Waste.” This way, the “end user” scrap recycling facilities regulate the appliance recycling process, rather than establishing everything that goes into government oversight.  Without the certification, you won’t be able to discard appliances at a scrap metal shop.

Let’s start with the good news – there’s no cost to you for this three-year certification.  What you do is fill out a simple, two-page form (DTSC Form 1428) and submit it to DTSC.  Part of the form asks you about how you operate or intend to operate; that allows our scientists to confirm that your practices are safe and environmentally-protective.  Similarly, you will have to describe the training you give employees so that we can be confident that everyone in the business knows how to handle highly-toxic substances.  DTSC prepared a sample of an Approved Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Application so you could see what kind of information we’re looking for.

DTSC will maintain its Listing of Certified Appliance Recyclers on its Web site.

• washing machine
• clothes dryer
• hot water heater
• dehumidifier
• conventional oven or microwave oven
• stove
• refrigerator or freezer
• air-conditioner
• trash compactor
• residential furnace

The law, Section 42167 of the Public Resources Code, establishes which materials contained in appliances you must handle differently to protect yourself and the environment. They are:

•  Encapsulated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
• Di (2-Ethylhexylphthalate) (DEHP), and metal encased capacitors, in major appliances.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and other non-CFC replacement refrigerants.
• Used oil.
• Mercury found in switches and temperature control devices in major appliances.
• Any other material that, when removed from a major appliance, is regulated as a hazardous waste.

Some of these materials are regulated as hazardous waste (PCBs, used oil, and other materials), one is regulated as universal waste (mercury switches), while others are neither (the refrigerants). Nevertheless, each poses a threat to public health or the environment if you do not remove and properly manage it before processing a discarded appliance for scrap.

DTSC prepared a fact sheet that explains the requirements of the Certified Appliance Recycler Program in more detail: AB 1447-Changes to the Appliance Program.

Additionally, you may find some of these related documents useful:

• DTSC's Universal Waste Webpage: You can find information and guidance on the management of UW, which includes mercury switches on this page.
• DTSC's Used Oil Fact Sheet:You can find information and guidance on how to manage used oil removed from discarded major appliances on this page.
• DTSC's Mercury Waste Webpage: You can find guidance on locating and removing mercury switches from discarded major appliances on this page.
• Appliance Recycling Guide: This is an older document, but it contains useful information on how to locate and remove MRSH.  Please disregard all information on waste management because the information provided may be outdated.