THE THREE "R's" RECOVER - RECYCLE - RECLAIM The processes of recovery,
recycling, and reclaiming sound similar, but they are quite different. To
RECOVER is to remove refrigerant in any condition from a system and store it in an approved external container. Recovered refrigerant may not be returned to a motor vehicle air conditioning system (MVAC) without first being recycled or reclaimed. To
RECYCLE is to clean refrigerant for reuse by separating the oil and removing moisture bypassing it through one or more filter driers. Recycled refrigerant maybe returned to a MVAC. Contaminants in recycled refrigerant
are limited to moisture, refrigerant oil, and non‐condensable gases to the levels set by the Society of Automotive Engineers. To
RECLAIM is to process refrigerant to a level equal to new product specifications as determined by chemical analysis. RECLAIMED refrigerant must meet standards set forth by the Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration Institute in ARI standard 700‐93. Reclaimed refrigerant is intended for sale and maybe used in any application.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT The EPA has approved the
use of two types of equipment, recover/recycle and recover only. The recover/recycle equipment extracts the refrigerant from the vehicle and cleans the refrigerant onsite. The recover only equipment extracts the refrigerant into an approved container to be sent offsite for reclamation. Either recover only, or recover/recycle equipment may only be used for the refrigerant for which it was designed. NOTE UL first certified recovery recycling equipment in September 1989. Approved equipment must bear a label that states "design certified to meet SAE standards. Do not confuse this with other UL labels that indicate equipment safety performance.
Facilities that service or dismantle motor vehicle air conditioners must certify to the EPA that they are using approved equipment. Servicing of motor vehicle air
conditioners includes repairs, leak testing, and "topping off" systems low on refrigerant. Certification that a facility is using approved equipment by certified technicians is not transferable. If
a facility changes ownership, the new owner must submit anew certification statement to the EPA within 30 days of the change of ownership.
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