A total of $2,015 has been raised by Big Island residents through Hawai’i Energy’s “Rid-A-Fridge to Fight Hunger” program. The money will benefit The Food Basket.

The Rid-A-Fridge program was developed in 2011 to encourage residents to properly recycle their old, second working refrigerators or freezers.

In recycling the appliances, Big Island residents would receive a $65 cash rebate with the option to donate the money to The Food Basket.

Maui and Oahu are also participants in the program, and donations there go to their local food banks.

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According to Hawai’i Energy, refrigerators and freezers built before 1993 are up to three times more expensive to operate than a new Energy Star model.

Since 2011, about 2,867 refrigerators and freezers have been recycled and kept out of landfills. Proper recycling ensures that units that are inefficient are not resold or handed down, ultimately saving energy. An estimated 2.37 million kilowatt hours and $808,363 in electricity costs have been saved annually, based on an average $0.32/kWh across the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu since the inception of the program.

Anyone who is a residential electric utility customer is eligible to participate in the program. Refrigerators or freezers are required to be at least 14 cubic feet and in working condition. Free curb-side pick-up is available for proper recycling.

Those interested in learning more about the program should call the Hawai’i Energy website. To schedule a pick-up, call (877) 231-8222.