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Outputs: Synthetic refrigerant co-design project

By Kiri Speirs on June 13th, 2023 in Product Stewardship, Refrigerant gases
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.

Background

Synthetic green house gas refrigerants (CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs) are some of the world’s most harmful but least talked about climate change causing products. CFCs have a significant impact on the depletion of the ozone layer and CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs contribute to climate change. The nature of these refrigerant gases requires special disposal to mitigate their contribution to global warming.

Since 1993, the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants (RECOVERY, now operating as Cool-Safe), a voluntary product stewardship programme, has been collecting and disposing of these ozone depleting substances used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industries. End-of-life refrigerant disposal demand is growing and it is forecast to continue growing over the coming years.

In 2019 the Trust, on behalf of its members, sponsored a project that looks at how to address this demand through product stewardship with 3R as the project manager. You can read the reports from this project below.

In 2020 the government declared synthetic refrigerant gases a priority project. Consultation on regulations was held in 2022. Cool-Safe has now applied for accreditation for the scheme.


Milestone two

Situational analysis data collection and GAP analysis

This is the first report by the Working Group and outlines its findings about the:

  • Current life cycle of SGG refrigerants within New Zealand;
  • Data that is currently available and would be needed for stewardship of SGG refrigerants; &
  • Current legislative and regulatory controls on SGG refrigerants
Report one
Report one summary

Milestone three

Identify options for mandatory product stewardship

This milestone includes two reports by the Working Group which outline:

  • Options for mandatory product stewardship;
  • Cost benefit analysis; &
  • Scope for industry credentials.
Report two
Report three
Report two summary

Milestone four

Develop guidelines for mandatory product stewardship

This milestone includes two reports by the Working Group which outline:

  • Guiding principles for preferred industry stewardship solution &
  • Product Stewardship Scheme training overview
Report one
Report two

The working group

David Nicholls – IHRACE (Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers)

Rodger Wyatt – Beattie Air

Rob Morgan – CCCA (Climate Control Companies Association New Zealand)

Ivan Tottle – Chemiplas

Peter Hutson – HPSA (Heat Pump Suppliers Association)

Leo Mortimer – Motor Industry Association Incorporated (MIA)

Ian Baggot – Motor Trade Association (Inc.) (MTA)

Carl Easton – Temperzone

Harry Dodson – APIA (Automotive Parts Importers Association)

Darren Patterson (Project Manager) – 3R Group Ltd

Malcolm Yorston – Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association Incorporated (VIA)


Where to next

Cool-safe has now applied for accreditation of the scheme.

Contact Cool-Safe

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) impacted by this work

Sustainable development goal responsible consumption and production

Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

Sustainable development goals - climate action

Goal 13: Climate action

sustainable development goals - partnerships for the goals

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Previous 3R Group the good the bad and the opportunity of the waste strategy

NZ’s waste strategy – the good, the bad and the opportunities

Next 3R Group engagement with sustainability

Cutting through the noise on sustainability

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ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management systems and safe work practices.

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:

  • The enhancement of environmental performance;
  • The fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • The achievement of environmental objectives.

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.

ISO 45001:2018

Keeping our people safe, healthy and happy.

ISO 45001:2018 certification has been chosen to demonstrate the importance we place in caring for our people as we bring to life our values of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.

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.

What is a circular economy?

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.

A technical materials cycle may be more like make-use-return. In a technical materials cycle waste is repurposed and used to make something new.

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.