OREANDA-NEWS. April 30, 2015. Spichers Appliance has vowed to responsibly recycle about 10,000 appliances annually through a recycling program championed by GE Appliances. The family-owned, independent retailer based out of Hagerstown, Md., joins the ranks of other large national retailers to support innovative approaches to recycling. Spichers will use the services of ARCA Advanced Processing (AAP), which services GE Appliances in 12 east coast states. Spichers Appliance is the first independent retailer to sign up for comprehensive appliance recycling services in Philadelphia.

“When you step back and look at it from the perspective of the environment and the future, it’s the right thing to do,” says Curt Spicher, owner. “Twenty- and 30-year-old appliances are energy hogs. We need to get these old appliances off the grid.”

What happens when your old refrigerator ends up in a landfill? 55 pounds vs. less than 8 pounds
For those appliances that don’t meet the cosmetic and functioning test for resale, a typical recycler will recover refrigerant and other materials and substances from a used refrigerator and then send it to an industry shredder. Using traditional recycling methods, approximately 55 pounds of a refrigerator ends up in landfills, including the insulating foam and plastics. Using GE Appliances’ Product Recycling Program serviced by AAP, landfill waste is reduced by 85 percent and less than 8 pounds of used appliance material goes into a landfill.

“Where a consumer makes an appliance purchase can now have a powerful environmental impact,” says Brian Conners, president and COO of AAP. “You are making a responsible choice when you purchase from a retailer like Spichers Appliance who is part of a responsible appliance recycling program such as ours.”

According to GE research, three out of four people want all or part of their appliance to be recycled and 82 percent of people are willing to go out of their way and drive additional distances to purchase from a recycling retailer.*

Millions have already been saved from the landfill
Nearly two million appliances have been recycled through GE Appliances’ Product Recycling Program at AAP, diverting approximately 19 million pounds of material from landfills. “We celebrate Spichers Appliance’s decision to collaborate in the recycling initiative,” says Mark Shirkness, general manager, appliances distribution and services. “And invite others to follow their lead in recycling by joining the GE Appliances’ Product Recycling Program.”

In addition to Spichers Appliances’ commitment to the appliance product recycling program, the retailer is also partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on their Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program. RAD is a voluntary program through the EPA that focuses on innovative and responsible recycling of refrigerant-containing appliances.

GE Appliances
GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visit www.ge.com/appliances.

Spichers Appliance
Spichers Appliance is a family-owned discount appliance, electronics, and security systems dealer based in Hagerstown, MD. Since 1955, Spichers Appliance has served customers in Hagerstown, Chambersburg and Winchester markets with low prices on home appliance, electronics, and security systems with top-notch customer service. http://www.spichers.com/

*Based on a 2010 survey conducted by the Stevenson Company on behalf of GE Appliances and Lighting.