News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 14, 2012
CONTACT:
Dave Thompson
Residential Account Representative
507-437-0822
davet@austinutilities.com
Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program Kicks Off for
Second Year in Southern Minnesota
AUSTIN, MN--- The Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program,
servicing Austin Utilities (AU), Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU), and Rochester Public
Utilities (RPU), is back by popular demand. The program, which had an incredible
response during 2011, is set to begin May 15 and will continue through October 31,
2012 or until funds are exhausted.
Through this program, which is managed by a local Minnesota based company
Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc. (ARCA), participating utility customers who
turn in operating but energy inefficient secondary refrigerators and freezers will be
eligible for a $35.00 incentive for each qualifying appliance, with a maximum of two
units per program life. ARCA will perform the in-home collection of qualifying
refrigerators and freezers and properly recycle the units locally in Minnesota.
“Working with a professional recycler to remove spare working refrigerators and
freezers from our service area saves our customers energy and money. In addition to
the FREE pick up service customers will also receive a $35 incentive.” says Dave
Thompson, AU Residential Account Representative. “Program offerings like this help us
achieve energy savings goals with the State of Minnesota and it’s great to know that the
unit will be recycled properly!”
In order to qualify, the refrigerator or freezer must be 10-30 cubic feet, operating
secondary unit, in working (cooling) order and owned by an AU customer with a valid
account number. The appliance will be picked up, free of charge, inside the customer’s
home from the address listed on the billing account.
To participate in the program, please call 1-877-341-2259 or visit
www.austinutilities.com.
About ARCA
ARCA (www.ARCAInc.com), one of the nation’s largest recyclers of major household
appliances for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities, currently provides
services for 200 utilities in the U.S. and Canada. Toxic chemicals and environmentally
harmful materials such as ozone-depleting refrigerants, PCBs, mercury and oil are
carefully recovered in the decommissioning process for recycling, destruction or
disposal, preventing them from contaminating soil, air and water resources. The
Company is also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling
Technology (URT), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technologically
advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household
appliances and electronic scrap.
About Austin Utilities
Austin Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit electric, water and natural gas utility,
serving more than 12,000 customers within a community of over 23,000 people.
Providing the same level of dedicated service to all its customers, AU offers utility
products and services in a safe, reliable and responsible manner in order to enhance
the quality of life in our community.
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