Aftermarket Insider Issue 72 - (Page 23)

RECYCLING A/C REFRIGERANT For more than 20 years, the automotive service industry has been instrumental in recovering and recycling mobile air conditioning (a/c) refrigerant to prevent ozone layer destruction and minimize greenhouse gases. $1.5 billion was spent by the U.S. auto service industry to purchase refrigerant recovery machines and tools, plus ensure certification of all service technicians during the transition from R-12 to R-134a.* The phase out of R-12 under the Montreal Protocol agreement and the subsequent transition to R-134a – the predominant refrigerant in today’s motor vehicle a/c system – have required significant commitment, change and expense for the automotive service industry for more than 20 years. To prevent the release of refrigerants during the servicing of motor vehicle a/c systems and ensure recycling of used refrigerants per Section 609 of the Clean Air Act, today’s technicians are trained and certified and use approved refrigerant recovery equipment. Automotive service facilities also adhere to safe disposal, equipment certification and recordkeeping requirements. Environmental Impact Through proper recovery and recycling efforts, the automotive service industry helps protect the environment by preventing the harmful release of refrigerants into the atmosphere. Emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), as well as other certain synthetic chemicals, destroy the Stratospheric Ozone layer that shields the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation and have created an ozone hole over the South Pole. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) refrigerant (R-134a) does not deplete the ozone layer, however, it is a potent greenhouse gas that has a high global warming potential (GWP) that is approximately 1,400 times greater than carbon dioxide. The industry is in the process of identifying alternatives for the refrigerant R-134a in continuing efforts to reduce emissions from mobile a/c refrigerant. *F.A. Vogelsberg, “An Industry Perspective: Lessons Learned and the Cost of the CFC Phaseout.” (R-12 is also known as CFC-12 and various trade names, such as Freon ® ). The Automotive Aftermarket’s Green Story Green HiGHliGHt t AAiA is pleased to present the “Green Highlight” from the online publication “Driving toward a Cleaner environment: the Automotive Aftermarket Green Story,” produced by the association to help tell the aftermarket’s compelling eco-story. For more information, visit www.aftermarket.org. recycling A/C REFRIGERANT http://www.aftermarket.org/green http://www.aftermarket.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aftermarket Insider Issue 72

Aftermarket Insider Issue 72
Contents
President's Message
AAPEX News
Doing Your Industry Proud!
Segment News
Campaign Update
Toolbox: AAPEX Website
Association News
AAIA Market Intelligence: Don’t Do Business Wit hout It!
Market Intelligence
Green Highlight
Technology Update
Inside Legislation

Aftermarket Insider Issue 72