Refrigerator Round-Up Program

Burbank Water and Power (BWP) is happy to provide a $100 billing credit to BWP customers who turn in their second non-primary refrigerator for environmental recycling. For some Burbank households, having a second refrigerator may be a necessity. However, for many families, a second refrigerator may be a preference costing far more than they realize to operate. To help families save money while helping the environment, BWP is now offering the “Refrigerator Round-Up Program.”

Q. What is the Refrigerator Round-Up Program?

The Refrigerator Round-Up program is to collect your second, fully operational refrigerator and environmentally recycle it.

Q. Who is eligible to participate in the Refrigerator Round-Up Program?

• BWP residential customers who own a second household refrigerator that is fully operational.
• Refrigerator must be full-sized, between 17.9 Cubic Foot – 26 Cubic Foot. Mini refrigerators, such as wine coolers or dorm coolers, or commercial sized refrigerators will not be accepted.

Q. Why is BWP offering this program?

• BWP is offering this program to help Burbank residents reduce energy use and save money while helping the environment.
• Second household refrigerators are typically found in the garage where higher temperatures lead the refrigerator’s compressor to work much harder to maintain a cool temperature.
• A second refrigerator is often considerably older than the primary kitchen refrigerator.
• Both refrigerator age and placement location typically result in a highly inefficient piece of equipment running continuously.
• At today’s energy prices, running a second refrigerator can cost as much as $260 annually.

Q. What are the environmental and economic benefits of this program?

• Energy used in our homes primarily comes from power plants which burn fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. In the course of creating electricity, power plants also create harmful air emissions. By reducing your energy needs, the environment benefits as power plants produce less electricity and, therefore, fewer emissions.
• In many households, the refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming appliance. Getting rid of a second refrigerator bought in 1990 would save enough energy to power up an average household for nearly four months. This energy savings translates to big dollar savings to you.
• Reducing Burbank’s energy needs also helps BWP contain electric rates.

Q. Why should I participate?

• YOU get money! A one time $100 credit will be applied to your monthly City of Burbank Municipal Services bill if you participate in this program.
• YOU save money! Ongoing energy savings can keep hundreds of dollars in your wallet every year.
• YOU protect the environment! Reducing your household energy needs means power plants produce less electricity and fewer harmful air emissions. Additionally, all refrigerators turned in to BWP through this program will be environmentally and safely recycled.

Q. How do I participate in this program?

BWP is working with a company called Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA). ARCA will come to your home, verify that your second refrigerator is working, and will remove and recycle it.

To schedule your appointment, contact ARCA toll free at 888-333-3938 or click here.

Q. When can I expect the $100 Refrigerator Round-Up billing credit to show up on my bill?

There are several factors affecting the timing for receiving the billing credit on your active BWP account after the refrigerator is picked-up by ARCA:

• The time that takes for ARCA to sent the list of participants to BWP.
• The time that takes BWP personnel to apply the billing credit to your active BWP account.
• Your Municipal Utility Services billing cycle – whether you receive the bill at the beginning, middle, or end of each month.

Typically, the overall process takes 1-2 billing cycles for customer to see the $100 billing credit on their bill. It’s unlikely, but the process could take three billing cycles.

Q. In the coming few weeks, I will be moving out of Burbank. Can I still participate in BWP’s Refrigerator Round-Up program?

Yes; however, there are no guarantees that your Municipal Services account will still be active by the time we are able to apply the billing credit to your account. If this happens, you will forfeit the billing credit. You can also call City of Burbank’s Bulky Item Pick-Up division at (818) 238-3805 and they will be glad to haul away your refrigerator for free!

Q. Why can’t I participate in this program if my second refrigerator is not operable?

The purpose of this program is to help Burbank residents to reduce energy usage at their homes. If the second refrigerator is not operable, then it is not using energy!

Q. How do I get rid of my second refrigerator that is not operational?

You can call the City of Burbank’s Bulky Item Pick-Up division at (818) 238-3805 and they will be glad to haul away your refrigerator for free!

Q. I’ve been thinking about replacing my refrigerator but I only have one. Do you have another program for replacing my primary refrigerator?

Yes, the program is called “Home Rewards.” All you need to do is purchase an Energy Star refrigerator and return your current refrigerator back to us to be eligible for a Home Rewards rebate. BWP’s Home Rewards Program offers rebates for several high efficiency appliances, not just refrigerators. For more information and to download a rebate application, click here.