Refrigerator & Freezer Recycling

Due to operational issues with our contractor, we have ceased scheduling new appointments until further notice.  We appreciate your patience as we work to remedy this situation. 

If you are awaiting a rebate payment or have had a rebate check returned please reach out to us one of the following ways:

We will reach out to you within one week regarding your inquiry.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

 

Reasons to recycle an old refrigerator or freezer.

At PNM, we recycle 95 percent of the appliance to ensure it doesn't end up in a landfill. All of the materials recycled include the metal cabinet, plastic liner, glass shelves, the refrigerant and oil in the compressor, and the blowing agent contained in the polyurethane foam insulation. This means that properly recycling your fridge prevents the release of ozone-depleting substances, greenhouse gases, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, batteries, and oil into the environment. That's a lot - which is why it's our goal to help protect the environment in every way we can through our energy efficiency programs and give our customers rebates and savings on energy-efficient units.

Download the Appliance Recycling Fact Sheet to understand more about the benefits of recycling old inefficient appliances.

Find out how much you could save by replacing or disposing an old refrigerator or freezer. 

What's in your fridge?

 

 

Updated January 30th, 2024

FAQs: Refrigerator Recycling Rebate

  • Does my refrigerator or freezer have to be working for it to be recycled under this program?
    • Yes. We can only accept units that are in working order. 
  • How many units can I recycle?
    • Residential customers can recycle two refrigerators or freezers per account, per year.
  • I'm a landlord. Can I recycle a refrigerator?
    • If you are the PNM account holder or participate in the PNM Landlord Standby Program, you are eligible to receive the rebate. Typically, PNM can only pay a rebate to the account holder or other responsible party listed on the account.
  • Can I recycle my dorm-sized refrigerator?
    • No. We can only pick up and recycle refrigerators and freezers that are between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size. These dimensions refer to the interior space, rather than the outside dimensions, and can be found on the label on the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Where do the units go when they're removed from customers' homes?
    • All refrigerators and freezers begin the recycling process at the PNM Refrigerator Recycling Facility in Albuquerque. Here, they are disassembled, the harmful refrigerants and oils are removed, and the various materials are shipped to different recycling centers. All in all, 95% of each refrigerator or freezer is recycled.