5.1 The Three Rs: Recover, Recycle, Reclaim

5.1 The Three Rs: Recover, Recycle, Reclaim

The "Three Rs" — Recovery, Recycling, and Reclamation — are fundamental to EPA Section 608 and are heavily tested on the certification exam. Each term has a specific legal definition that determines what can be done with used refrigerant.

Recovery

Recovery means to remove refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and store it in an external container, without necessarily testing or processing it in any way.

Key points about recovery:

• Refrigerant is simply removed from the system and placed into an appropriate container
• No cleaning, testing, or processing is required
• Recovery is ALWAYS required before opening a system for service or disposal
• Must use EPA-certified recovery/recycling equipment
• Recovered refrigerant must be stored in DOT-approved cylinders

Recycling

Recycling means to clean recovered refrigerant for reuse without meeting the purity requirements of reclamation. Recycling typically involves:

• Oil separation
• Single or multiple passes through filter-driers
• Removal of moisture, acidity, and particulate matter

Key restriction: Recycled refrigerant can only be returned to:

• The same system it was recovered from, OR
• Other systems owned by the same person/entity

Recycled refrigerant cannot be sold to a new owner — it must be reclaimed first.

Reclamation

Reclamation means to reprocess recovered refrigerant to at least the purity specified in AHRI Standard 700-2016 and verify purity using prescribed analytical methods.

Key points about reclamation:

• Must be performed by an EPA-certified reclaimer
• Refrigerant must meet the same purity standards as new (virgin) refrigerant
• Reclaimed refrigerant CAN be sold to a new owner
• Reclaimers must certify that each batch meets AHRI 700-2016 standards
• No more than 1.5% of the refrigerant may be released during the reclamation process
• Reclaimers must dispose of wastes in accordance with all applicable laws

Summary Comparison

Recordkeeping for Recovery/Reclamation

• Reclaimers must maintain records of names and addresses of persons sending refrigerant for reclamation
• Records must include the quantity of material received
• Records are maintained on a transactional basis
• Technicians must keep records of refrigerant recovered and where it was sent

For the Exam: The most tested distinction: Recycled refrigerant can only go back to the same owner's equipment. Only RECLAIMED refrigerant (processed to AHRI 700 purity by an EPA-certified reclaimer) can be sold to a new owner.