BGE residential customers can get $50 from the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program® for recycling their old working refrigerator or freezer

BALTIMORE (April 20, 2016) - BGE is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the “Flip Your Fridge” campaign to encourage residential electric customers to recycle their old, working refrigerators and freezers. Not only will customers get a $50 reward per appliance recycled, but they will save energy, reduce waste and help make a difference for the environment.

A spare refrigerator in a basement or garage wastes up to 1,200 kWh of energy and costs as much as $100 to run every year. Through BGE’s Appliance Recycling Program, 95 percent of each refrigerator can be recycled. This prevents usable materials from entering a landfill and decreases the demand for raw materials, such as steel, aluminum, copper, glass and plastic. Recycling and proper disposal of appliances also leads to an enormous reduction in emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases.

BGE’s Appliance Recycling Program makes it easy for customers to recycle their old appliances. Customers simply contact BGE to schedule a pickup, and the old appliances will be hauled away at no additional cost. Customers receive a $50 reward when they recycle a refrigerator or freezer and get an additional $25 reward if they recycle a room air conditioning unit or dehumidifier at the same time.

Each household can recycle two refrigerators or freezers through this program. Appliances must be in working (cooling) condition and measure 10 to 30 cubic feet, which is the standard size for most refrigerators and freezers. Room air conditioning units and dehumidifiers may also be recycled through this program, only if picked up at the same time as an eligible refrigerator or freezer. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at BGERecycleMyOldFridge.com or by calling 866.898.1901.

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program also offers rebates up to $150 on the purchase of ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators. Offering appliance recycling rewards and rebates for energy efficient appliances are some of the many ways that BGE is moving smart energy forward.

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program is a suite of programs that enable customers to control energy use, leading to more efficient use of electricity and lowering energy bills from where they otherwise would be. Collectively, the programs help contain the cost of energy and improve reliability. The programs also help to reduce peak demand and slow the growth in energy consumption to lessen the need for more power plants. BGE offers energy-saving solutions for renters, homeowners, large and small business customers, nonprofits and institutional customers. More information is available at BGESmartEnergy.com. These programs support the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act.

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