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SMUD customers cash in on cold

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District finds that working smarter, not harder, to accomplish environmental goals is just good business.

By offering customers a $50 rebate incentive to recycle outdated refrigerators and freezers, SMUD has accomplished several objectives. SMUD is also installing energy-saving devices on cold drink machines throughout its service area.

Refrigerator recycling

Energy conservation and proper recycling are two of the most important issues facing the United States, and the world. Old refrigerators and freezers typically use two times more electricity than models being produced today, and they are not biodegradable. That is why states like California have laws that prohibit dumping these appliances into landfills.

On Sept. 10, SMUD started working with JACO Environmental on an ambitious recycling project that benefits both customers and the environment. The 15-month program started with a budget to recycle 6,000 units, but due to the success of the program it was revised to 7,200 units. The program picks up about 300 units each week and is available to customers on a first-come-first-served basis.

Because of the way appliances must be recycled, many recycling companies charge a fee to pick up and recycle old appliances.

SMUD has contracted with JACO to pick up appliances from customers' homes, recycle the old units in an environmentally responsible way, and send customers a $50 check to boot. SMUD requires the refrigerator or freezer be in working condition and between 10 and 27 cubic feet in size. SMUD's program allows two units per residential address.

JACO has designed a system to handle freon, oil, PCBs, metal, foam, and plastic. JACO Project Coordinator Michael Dunham explained, "Ninety percent of each appliance is recycled so that very little goes to the landfill. Conserving energy and proper recycling help manage our energy resources long into the future."

Cold drink machines

SMUD has also hired Bayview Technology of Denver to install 8,500 energy-saving devices on cold drink machines. The VendingMiser cuts electricity consumption an average of 46 percent and has been approved by both Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola Co.

"The device will be installed at no cost to eligible SMUD customers," said David Bisbee, SMUD program manager.

The energy-saving device also cuts vending machine maintenance costs. Bayview Director of Major Accounts Ryan Wood said, "The VendingMiser keeps the machine off roughly half the time, so the lights, thermostats, and compressors fail proportionally less often."

Web Sites SMUD: www.smud.org Bayview Technology Group, Inc.: www.bayviewtech.com SMUD's appliance recycling site: www.smud.org/refrigrecycle/index.html JACO Environmental: www.appliancerecycling.com

For more information, call SMUD's Dave Bisbee at 916-732-6409.