Refrigerators and refrigeration appliances contain refrigerant gases that, if not properly extracted and managed, have an immediate effect on climate change. According to published research, sea level rise is intimately linked to emissions of four short-lived pollutants, one of which is HFCs. Controlling it could slow the rate of sea level rise by 25% to 50%.

The project “Conversion and recovery of greenhouse gases in Spain” aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the mitigation of refrigerant gas (GR) emissions and the promotion of the recovery of GR compared to the current alternative, consisting of sending GR to European countries for disposal by incineration.

This initiative will promote the correct management of GR by promoting the conversion of GR extracted by refrigeration equipment maintenance companies and by waste electrical and electronic equipment treatment plants.

Its actions include a study on the management of refrigerant gases in Spain, as well as training and dissemination actions on the hazardousness and effects on climate change of GRs and on their recovery and treatment. An open day is also planned for the first GR conversion plant in Europe, located in the Canary Islands, which recovers this waste to obtain acid salts with an outlet in the chemical and textile industry.