Alliant Energy: 150,000 appliances kept out of landfill

CEDAR RAPIDS — Recycling an old refrigerator, freezer or room air conditioner can reduce energy use, help the environment and earn customers money.

“As this program enters its 20th year, we look forward to hitting a milestone of recycling 150,000 appliances,” says Anne Carter, Alliant Energy’s director of energy efficiency. “When that happens we will have prevented 500,000 tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere. That’s the same as 100,000 fewer cars on our highways in a given year.”

Approximately 95 percent of a refrigerator can be recycled. The components are separated and sorted according to material type. All toxins are identified and safely removed and then shipped to an approved facility for disposal.

The Appliance Recycling program is available to our electric customers in Iowa. They can schedule a pickup time online or by phone. Recycling crews will come to their residence and remove the old working appliances. Customers receive $50 for each working refrigerator and freezer and $25 for each working room air conditioner at the time of pickup. The program is free and runs year round. Besides the rebates, an electric customer can also reduce their annual energy bill up to $115 by removing these extra appliances.

Customers can learn more or schedule a pickup at alliantenergy.com/appliancerecycling or by calling 1-866-ALLIANT (866-255-4268) and selecting option 2.