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Our work: Synthetic refrigerant co-design project

By Caddie Digital on August 6th, 2021 in Product Stewardship, Refrigerant gases, Work
3R synthetic refrigerant gases project

Aim: To examine ways to extend the ability of Recovery’s voluntary product stewardship programme to avoid environmental harm from ozone depleting gases.

The problem

Synthetic refrigerants are widely used in the heating and cooling systems we all rely on. They’re used in equipment used to keep our homes comfortable right up to large scale food manufacturing operations that keep our food safe. But they can cause significant environmental harm by contributing to climate change if they are not managed, collected and disposed of properly.

The Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants (Recovery), has been operating a voluntary product stewardship scheme to manage these gases since 1993. But end-of-life refrigerant disposal is growing and is forecast to continue growing.

The solution

Recovery engaged 3R Group on behalf of stakeholders as a project manager. The goal was to develop industry best practice to minimise harm and a fully funded disposal path to meet the changing nature of refrigerant gases.


What did we do?

  • We established a co-design working group with government and industry
  • Set out project milestones to make sure the group had momentum and accountability
  • We prepared and carried out a consultation plan to ensure stakeholders had a say
  • Conducted data collection, situational and GAP analyses
  • Engaged with IRHACE to scope training course outline
  • Identified the options for mandatory product stewardship
  • Provided advice on the preferred options for mandatory stewardship

How did we do it?

  • We provided expert advice in product stewardship
  • Facilitated technical discussions across the industry in order to design a regulated scheme for an intangible product with unique challenges
  • We supported Recovery in their funding submission
  • We gathered the right information to inform decisions of the working group
  • Used our deep knowledge of mandatory product stewardship to help the group decide the best course of action

Where to next

Refrigerants, other synthetic greenhouse gases and products containing them were declared a priority product by government in 2020. This requires them to be effectively managed under an accredited product stewardship scheme with mandatory participation.

3R are working together with Recovery on the application to have the industry co-designed scheme accredited as the regulated product stewardship scheme under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.

If you’re an importer, manufacturer, retailer, installer, technician, or commercial user of refrigerant gases, we invite you to get involved.

“3R are experts in managing conflicts of interest and drawing companies together to find solutions we can all work with.  Companies also gain confidence from knowing their industry scheme has been designed to best practice, particularly in terms of governance and transparency.”

John Bowen, Former Director, Refrigerant Recovery NZ
(Member of Synthetic Refrigerant Stewardship Project)
Get involved
Visit the project website

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ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that certifies our commitment to environmental management systems and safe work practices.

Consistent with our environmental policy, the intended outcomes of our environmental management system include:

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Our ISO 14001:2015 certification includes 3R Operations, the Paint Product Stewardship Programmes, ChemCollect Service and the SeatSmart Child Car Seat Recycling Programme (owned and operated by 3R).

This certification is audited by TELARC.

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Keeping our team safe, healthy and happy is a primary focus for our business. We feel that the work our operations staff do makes this particularly important. Their responsibilities can include collecting and processing paint; collecting chemicals; driving trucks around the country; and getting hands-on with work wherever needed.

3R received ISO 45001:2018 certification in 2021. The ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years and includes annual surveillance audits which provide a valuable framework for further growth.

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New Zealand is “one of the highest generators of waste per person in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”. The way we currently produce and manage our waste is not sustainable.

The current economy in New Zealand is linear: this equates to a process of take-make-use-dispose. The aim of the government is to move towards a circular economy.

A circular economy can refer to either biological or technical materials.

With biological materials, the cycle could be defined as make-consume-enrich. In this cycle waste returns to the environment and enriches the land.

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Whether you need help with biological materials, technical materials, or both; 3R can partner with your business to assess your current waste, then help you reduce it.