End-of-Life Management
Recycle, Reclaim, Destroy
Actionable Items
Ensure all refrigerants from end-of-life HVAC equipment are managed responsibly—minimizing emissions, complying with regulations, and maximizing asset value—through one of three options: Recycle, Reclaim, or Destruction.
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🔁 OPTION 1: RECYCLE with A-Gas
Partner: A-Gas
Best for: Systems being decommissioned or retrofitted when refrigerant is still relatively clean and can be reprocessed for future reuse.
Core Benefit: Fast, on-site refrigerant recovery and recycling with transparent tracking and EPA compliance.
Why Choose A-Gas?
- A-Gas offers rapid response recovery services, minimizing downtime.
- Their Rapid Exchange™ program simplifies refrigerant cylinder swaps.
- Their smart, mobile decanting technology makes on-site service fast and low hassle.
- They are EPA-certified and committed to circular economy models.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
1. Schedule a Recovery Service:
Contact A-Gas Rapid Recovery: Request Service
2. Prepare Units:
Identify HVAC units slated for decommissioning or retrofit. Label refrigerants by type.
3. On-Site Recovery:
A-Gas team will arrive with mobile equipment to safely remove refrigerant.
4. Receive Documentation:
You’ll be issued a Chain of Custody and EPA Compliance Certificate.
5. Track and Report:
Integrate A-Gas recovery data into your internal ESG or refrigerant inventory systems.
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🔄 OPTION 2: RECLAIM with Hudson Technologies
Partner: Hudson Technologies
Best for: Capturing value from used refrigerant, especially HFCs, for reuse or resale. Ideal when refrigerant purity is high enough for full reprocessing.
Core Benefit: Turn refrigerant liabilities into assets with a full-service reclamation partner.
Why Choose Hudson?
- Industry leader in EPA-certified refrigerant reclaim.
- Hudson operates the nation’s largest reclaim facility and handles all major refrigerant types.
- Offers asset tracking and cylinder management, simplifying large portfolio logistics.
- Supports ESG reporting with verified emissions reductions and recovery volumes.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
1. Inventory & Segregate Refrigerants:
Use Hudson’s guidelines to prepare used refrigerants for pickup or drop-off.
2. Arrange Pickup or Shipment:
Request service at: [Service Request](https://www.hudsontech.com/contact/)
Use Hudson's cylinders or yours.
3. Reclaim Process & Quality Testing:
Hudson reclaims refrigerant to AHRI-700 purity standard.
4. Receive Rebate/Credit (Optional):
Eligible refrigerants can generate rebates or credits based on volume and type.
5. Track Certification:
Documentation provided for compliance and sustainability reporting.
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🔥 OPTION 3: DESTROY with Tradewater
Partner: Tradewater
Best for: Handling mixed, contaminated, or obsolete refrigerants (e.g., CFCs, HCFCs, or recovered blends not suitable for reuse).
Core Benefit: Prevent the most potent greenhouse gases from ever leaking—guaranteed and documented destruction.
Why Choose Tradewater?
- Specializes in destroying high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
- Each destruction event results in verified carbon offset credits.
- Trusted by corporations and governments globally for climate accountability.
- Focus on ease: Tradewater arranges pick-up, testing, and destruction logistics.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
1. Identify Refrigerants for Destruction:
Ideal for out-of-date, mixed, or unreclaimable refrigerants.
2. Request a Collection or Cylinder Swap:
Get started here: [Tradewater Contact](https://tradewater.us/contact/)
3. Weigh, Tag, and Manifest:
Tradewater will provide support for labeling, tagging, and paperwork.
4. Shipping and Destruction:
Refrigerants are transported to an EPA-compliant facility for destruction.
5. Receive Verified Carbon Offset Report:
Receive detailed destruction certificates, carbon accounting, and impact metrics.
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🛠 Suggested Implementation
- Incorporate into CapEx & Decommissioning Checklists
- Designate Regional Refrigerant Coordinators or facility managers
- Centralize Reporting in your ESG or refrigerant management platform
