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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I know if my fridge/freezer is over 200 litres?

The average family-size fridge is about 400 litres, including the fridge and freezer sections. Narrow and single-door fridges can be under 200 litres and need to be carefully checked to confirm eligibility. Bar fridges are much smaller than 200 litres and are not eligible for the program. You might be able to verify the fridge or freezer size by looking at the name of the fridge/freezer on the door (eg the numbers in the name: Frigidaire 360, Kelvinator 280 or General Electric 10 refer to the size in litres or cubic feet. 7.06 cubic feet is equivalent to 200L) or the manufacturer's label which is often found just inside the door (look for the phrase "Gross Volume" or “Total Capacity”) or by comparing it to your main fridge if you know its size.

If there are no labels, you can work out the volume using a measuring tape. Simply open up the fridge/freezer door and measure the INTERNAL height (fridge compartment + freezer compartment if separate), then width and finally depth (from the door to the back) in centimetres. Multiply these numbers together, and then divide by 1000 to give you the capacity in litres.

How do I know if my fridge/freezer is built before 1996?

Many second fridges are built before 1996. If you can't recall or are unsure, it may be possible to get the year of manufacture by calling the manufacturer and giving them the fridge's model number.

I have more than one spare fridge/freezer for collection?

Yes, up to three spare appliances per household that meet the eligibility criteria can be collected and you will be paid a $35 rebate per eligible appliance. A separate Terms Form must be completed for each additional appliance.

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

Collection is free for removals involving 7 to 20 interior and exterior steps but no $35 rebate is paid. If the removalists have to transport your fridge/freezer up or down more than 20 interior and exterior steps, collection can be arranged for a fee. If you are willing to pay to have an eligible fridge/freezer 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 appliance 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/freezers from homes with many steps.

Note that in all circumstances 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 able to collect upright or vertical freezers as part of the program but not able to collect chest freezers (eg top opening). Chest freezers have their door on the top and generally are more energy efficient.

Who will collect my fridge/freezer?

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. They will be wearing identification tags that show they are collecting fridges and freezers on behalf of Fridge Buyback.

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

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

1. On the day before collection, empty all remaining food from the appliance, unplug and defrost the appliance.
2. You do not need to remove the draws or shelving from the appliance, we will happily take all parts of the appliance.
3. Drain any water from inside the appliance and in any drip trays below the appliance. Ensuring that the appliance and the drip trays below are dry is vital to protect your carpets and floors.
4. Remove any obstacles from around the appliance or in the house that might make it difficult to get the appliance out of the house. Note that our removalists have the right to refuse to collect your appliance 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 well 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 or in instances of day of collection cancellations we will not be able to pay the $35 rebate on a subsequent re-booking.

What areas does Fridge Buyback collect from?

Fridge Buyback currently collects from most urban parts of Metropolitan Sydney, The Illawarra, The Shoalhaven, The Central Coast, The Blue Mountains and The Hunter. All the Councils participating in Fridge Buyback can be found on the links page. Fridge Buyback does not currently operate in some rural areas of Sutherland, Penrith, Ryde, Pittwater, Ku-ring-gai, Warringah, The Hills Shire, Wollongong, Shellharbour, The Central Coast, The Blue Mountains, Hornsby and The Hunter.

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

The NSW Government requires proper refrigerant degassing and recycling of fridges collected by Fridge Buyback, and Fridge Buyback is regularly audited.

Fridge Buyback has contracted KK Technical Services to provide both the collection and degassing of the fridges and freezers.

The refrigerant gasses (CFCs and HCFCs) are extracted from the appliances 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 and freezers are taken by OneSteel and SIMS for metals recycling. Copper and steel are recovered and reprocessed into new metals products.

How and when will I receive my $35 rebate cheque?

At the time of fridge or freezer 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 rebate (eg collection involved 6 or less stairs) we will process your cheque and send it to you by post. This normally takes around up to three weeks. If you do not receive your cheque within this period, please contact us.

Can I leave my fridge or freezer 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 or freezer 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 freezer if visible from the roadway. The fridge or freezer needs to be left on your property (eg not on the footpath or pavement) and should be kept out of sight due to the high risk of theft. The completed and signed Terms Form must also be put inside the appliance. Failure to do so would mean that we cannot remove the fridge or freezer nor pay the $35 rebate

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

Almost a third of Sydney households have a second fridge or additional freezer. These old appliances are big energy users, consuming up to three times the energy of new ones. While a second fridge may seem handy, the electricity costs averaging $265 a year are often hard to justify. Old second fridges and freezers 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.

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

What is the NSW Government's Energy Savings Scheme?

Fridge Buyback operates under the NSW Government's Energy Savings Scheme. The Energy Savings Scheme's main objective is to assist households and businesses reduce their electricity use and their electricity costs. The financial incentive for energy efficiency helps push down electricity use and rewards energy saving activities.

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 Office of Environment and Heritage to coordinate the Fridge Buyback Program. FThe Fridge Buyback program operates under the NSW Government’s Energy Savings Scheme. Fridge Buyback is a trading name of Next Energy.