Make money by getting rid of your old refrigerator



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- For years, Robert Danzy's old refrigerator sat in his basement sucking up energy and adding to his utility bill.

But once he heard about the Appliance Recycling Program, he decided to part ways with it.

"As soon as I saw it I was like wow I need to call them now, let`s get that money because all I`m doing is running my bill up," says Danzy.

The Appliance Recycling Program is a part of the state-wide energy efficiency organization, Focus on Energy.

This program pays people to recycle their old, but still working, refrigerator or freezer.

"He`s getting rid of an old refrigerator that uses a lot of electricity. He`s probably going to save about $150 a year on his energy bill, plus we give him $50 for recycling the refrigerator," says Rich Marshall with Focus on Energy.

They'll even come pick it up for you.

"We`ll come and get the unit and take it out of their house, take it out of basements, garages, kitchens," says Marshall.

But you're also helping Mother Nature.

Old refrigerators and freezers, especially those made before 1996, eat up a lot of energy and can be damaging to the environment.

"Taking one refrigerator off the grid is equivalent to taking two cars off the road," says Marshall.

"I believe we do benefit if we participate, which is helping the environment and helping us at the same time, which is great," says Danzy.

About 95% of the materials in a refrigerator can be recycled.

The Appliance Recycling Program is available to people across the state of Wisconsin.

For more information on donating your refrigerator or freezer, you can CLICK HERE or call 1-855-398-5226.