Refrigerants - Returns and Recycling
Used refrigerants from cooling systems are included under hazardous waste in accordance with § 48 KrW-/AbfG [Recycling and Waste Management Act]. This includes all refrigerants and mixtures containing chlorine and fluorine.
Hazardous waste is subject to the obligation to provide proof. This means that accepting hazardous waste must be proven with the forms prescribed by the authority. This is why TEGA carries out proof of acceptance of used refrigerants only with a removal order.
What does this mean for you?
As a company active in cooling technology, you collect used refrigerants at your cooling system operators and are yourself obligated to provide your customers with proof of the quantity disposed of, as the definition of waste is already fulfilled when your customer does not want to have the refrigerant back. Possibly a customer has already asked for a removal order, or would like to recycle their refrigerant?