This report examines the environmental impact of discarded cooling appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and water coolers. Conducted under the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) project, the study responds to the increasing use of these appliances in Egypt’s hot climate and rapidly developing economy. It identifies a critical environmental threat: the release of potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) from refrigerants and insulation foams when appliances are improperly dismantled or discarded.
Based in official Egyptian statistics and expert inputs to estimate the number of cooling appliances reaching end-of-life (EoL) it assesses the associated emissions using life cycle assessment (LCA) methods.
As result of the analysis, the report hightlights the urgent need for better waste management systems for cooling appliances in Egypt. It calls for improved infrastructure, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, consumer awareness campaigns, and the integration of EPR schemes. These actions are essential to minimize the sector’s climate impact and ensure safer, more sustainable handling of e-waste.
