It’s spring and time for a fresh start - time for spring cleanup.
Something you may not have thought about cleaning up is that old, inefficient refrigerator, freezer or window air conditioner wasting energy in your home. Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative (RVEC) introduces its “Pull the Plug” program to encourage members to get these energy hogs out of their homes and off co-op lines. RVEC offers free pickup and a cash incentive for recycling these old - but operating - appliances.
“If you have a second fridge in the garage or basement, now is a good time to recycle it,” says John Johnston, Member Service Director . “According to ENERGY STAR®, the average refrigerator 10 years of age or older contains more than 120 pounds of recyclable steel, and the energy saved by recycling it is equivalent to almost 290 kilowatt-hours. The Pull the Plug program uses a certified recycler who will come and collect the old appliances at your home and give you an instant rebate from RVEC,” he says.
To participate in Pull the Plug, co-op members simply notify RVEC by calling 712.659.3649 Glidden office or 712.662.4275 the Sac City office or visiting www.rvec.coop to say they have an old operating refrigerator, freezer or window air conditioner they want to get rid of.
RVEC verifies the caller’s member information, gets a daytime phone number and then electronically sends collection information to ESI, its recycling contractor. Within one business day, ESI contacts you the member to confirm the request and provide an estimated collection time – within a three-week time frame.
The appliance must be located “curbside” for collection, meaning it has to be outside of the house and the old refrigerator, freezer or window air conditioner has to be a working unit. ESI will not enter a member’s home to remove the old appliance.
During appliance pick-up, ESI checks to make sure the appliance is operable, loads it up and writes a $25 rebate check. A maximum of three appliances per year may be recycled per residence. A member may have ESI remove other appliances at the member’s own expense.
To Pull the Plug on one of your appliances click on the link and fill out the form http://custom.yourcooperative.com/pulltheplug/member_index_corn_belt.ihtml If you have any questions fell free to give us a call.