Recycling of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment in the US

This is an overview on the disposal of construction materials from the decommissioned air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The analysis relied upon surveys and interviews conducted with equipment manufacturers, mechanical contractors and companies involved in the solid waste handling/recovery field. Equipment covered herein includes commercial chillers, unitary split and package-systems, refrigerated food cases, and ice makers. Information not previously available on the material composition of representative systems is presented. It is found that the high metallic content of these types of equipment result in a residual intrinsic value, thereby leading to a high level of material recovery.