Sustainable Mahwah Backs Refrigerator Retirement Program

To The Editor:

The Sustainable Mahwah Team wants to remind residents about the Large Appliance Early Retirement Program for refrigerators and freezers advocated by Sustainable Jersey, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program. Residents are invited to contact Sustainable Mahwah Team member Karin La Greca, who is coordinating the program for the township.   

To incent people to upgrade to energy efficient refrigerators or freezers, the program pays the owner $50 and provides for free removal and pickup of unwanted working refrigerators or freezers.    

Replacing outdated refrigerators and freezers with newer, more energy efficient models can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and household energy costs. Refrigerators and freezers consume the most energy of all household appliance and outdated models can consume three to four times more energy than newer models.

Recycling large appliances is important because refrigerators and freezers include harmful components that are not appropriate for landfill disposal. This program facilitates the proper disposal of these older units with 98% of the parts diverted from landfills.

For more information about New Jersey’s Clean Energy Programs, visit www.njcleanenergy.com. If you would like assistance participating in the program or have any questions, call Karin La Greca at (201) 669-8267.   

The mission of the Sustainable Mahwah Team is to assist, advocate, and advise the township about sustainable strategies and initiatives for environmental and fiscal responsibility. Sustainable actions can create economic advantages while fostering a higher quality of life for the community and future generations.   

The Sustainable Mahwah team encourages residents to sign up for its news and discussion group or contact Sustainable Mahwah at sustainablemahwah@mahwahtwp.org.

The above was submitted as a Letter to the Editor by Sustainable Mahwah member Karin La Greca.