DES MOINES — Get a head start on spring cleaning this year with MidAmerican Energy Company’s Appliance Recycling program, a free program that will pick up your old, inefficient appliance, recycle it and send you a check.
“MidAmerican Energy recycled more than 6,200 refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning units in 2015,” Tina Yoder, director of energy efficiency said. “In 2016, our goal is to continue reducing landfill waste by helping customers recycle at least 8,000 appliances.”
Customers with a working refrigerator, freezer or room air conditioner can call 800-621-2757 to schedule a pick-up. A recycling company will haul away the old appliance free of charge, including removing the appliance from the customer’s home if needed. The customer will receive a rebate of $50 for a refrigerator or freezer and $25 for a window air conditioner.
“Older appliances can cost owners up to $100 per year in extra energy consumption, so you have to ask yourself if it’s worth keeping an old refrigerator around just to cool your soda,” Yoder said.
To qualify, you must be a MidAmerican Energy electric customer living in Iowa, Illinois or South Dakota. While the program targets residential customers, it is available to business customers who want to recycle residential-sized equipment.
Eligible refrigerators and freezers must be 10 cubic feet or larger; no commercial sizes are accepted, and the appliance must be in working condition.
MidAmerican Energy partners with the Responsible Appliance Disposal program to help protect the earth’s ozone layer by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“When a customer uses our program, they can have peace of mind that their appliance is not filling up a landfill,” Yoder said. “We take the appliance apart and recycle 95 percent of the components, including toxins and harmful gases.”
For additional information regarding rebate programs, visit MidAmerican Energy’s rebates page.