Refrigerators, freezers and air-conditioning units contain refrigerants that damage the environment.
Synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) are now widely used as refrigerants in fridges and air-conditioning units. Under the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA) 2002 it is illegal to release SGGs into the atmosphere. (This came into effect on 1 January 2013.)
Refrigerants that are ozone-depleting substances are being phased out under the Ozone Layer Protection Act (OLPA) 1996. It is illegal to release these refrigerants into the atmosphere.
The Environmental Protection Authority has enforcement powers under the CCRA and OLPA. If you release SGGs or ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere, there are serious penalties.
It's important that you know what refrigerants the appliances you work with contain, and that you don't release these into the atmosphere.
Read more about which SGG and ozone-depleting substances cannot be released:
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