Pepco Appliance Recycling Program reduces energy costs for empty nesters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As parents across Maryland ease into life as empty nesters, they can also ease up on household energy costs by having an extra refrigerator or freezer picked up for recycling.

Older refrigerators and freezers often end up in garages or basements after being replaced by newer models in the kitchen. Older appliances waste far more energy than most people realize. Refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1990 can use three times more electricity than newer models.

For those with children that left for college, the reduced need for extra cold storage often leaves an unnecessary second refrigerator or freezer. That's where Pepco's Appliance Recycling Program comes in.

Pepco's Appliance Recycling Program allows their Maryland customers to schedule a recycling pickup at their own convenience, and at no additional cost. Customers will also receive $50 for each appliance they recycle, and can potentially save as much as $150 annually through lower household energy costs. Customers can further boost those savings by having an old room air conditioner picked up at the same time, for which they will receive an extra $25 reward.

Pepco's Maryland residential customers can schedule a pickup time by calling 877.395.5540, or by visiting pepco.com/ApplianceRecycling. Information is also available at many appliance retailers. No purchase is necessary to participate in the Appliance Recycling Program.

Customers can recycle two refrigerators or freezers and two room air conditioning units per household. Refrigerators and freezers being picked up must be plugged-in and working when the collection crew arrives and must have an inside dimension of 10 to 30 cubic feet. Most standard size refrigerators and freezers meet this size requirement.

"Whether you're a parent of a college student, or just somebody looking to reduce energy costs, this program gives customers a way to move an unnecessary appliance out of their home and off their electric bill," said Thomas H. Graham, president Pepco Region.

Pepco works with JACO Environmental, which takes the appliance apart and recycles the pieces through a process that turns 95 percent of each unit into repurposed raw materials for new products. The appliance recycling process also safely extracts toxic substances such as mercury, oils and foam insulation to ensure they don't become environmental hazards. This prevents the release of ozone-depleting substances and of powerful greenhouse gases contained in the cooling circuits and foam insulation.

The appliance recycling program is part of Pepco's portfolio of energy efficiency programs that are designed to support Governor Martin O'Malley's EmPOWER Maryland initiative to reduce energy consumption in the state by 15 percent by the year 2015. Information on other programs that support this initiative can be found at pepco.com/SaveEnergy.

For more information about Pepco and updates, visit www.pepco.com, www.facebook.com/PepcoConnect, and follow Pepco at www.twitter.com/PepcoConnect.

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Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 788,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.