Recovery and recycling have an important role to play in
the move away from ozone depleting substances. This is
recognised by EC Regulation 2037/2000. Article 16 obliges
users to recover controlled substances from commercial and
industrial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment,
equipment containing solvents and fire fighting equipment.
Recycling reduces the demand for new production and
as the supply of ozone depleting substances decreases,
recycling will become increasingly important for those uses
where satisfactory alternatives do not yet exist. Private
sector schemes are also in operation by the manufacturers
and by the retailers and specialist recycling companies,
mainly to recycle fire extinguishing gases and
refrigerants. In addition a number of trade associations
have issued a code of practice governing the recovery and
recycling of CFCs, maintenance of equipment and leakage
prevention.
In February 1993, the first 'halon bank' in the
world, the
Halon Users
National Consortium (HUNC) was set up by a number of
halon users and the fire-protection industry to ensure that
the existing stocks of halon in the UK were managed
efficiently. HUNC acts like a clearinghouse, putting those
who need to continue using halons in contact with those who
have recovered material from decommissioned systems. HUNC
is a non-profit making organisation. It is funded by
members' subscriptions rather than a levy on sales.
To find companies involved in the recovery and
recycling of refrigeration equipment, visit
letsrecycle.com or the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
website.
Phase-out of halon 1301 and 1211:
Under EC Regulation 2037/2000 on substances that
deplete the ozone layer,
halon fire-protection systems and fire
extinguishers were required to be decommissioned
by 31
st December 2003 , and the halons recovered. It is now
illegal to use such extinguishers , but it is not illegal to possess them. There are a
few exemptions but these are mainly military
uses.
EC Regulation 2037/2000 does not set a deadline
for the recovery of halon from fire-extinguishers,
although in practice the government would expect it to
be recovered for either reuse in applications listed as
critical or for destruction by approved methods within
a reasonable timeframe (i.e. one year).
If you have a hand-held halon fire extinguisher
in your building or vehicle, or you have an installed
fixed halon system, you will be affected by this
Regulation. It is estimated that most fire systems
containing halon have already been decommissioned, as
production of halon was banned in 1994.
Halon is being phased-out as it is an ozone
depleting substance and also has a very high global
warming potential. For this reason it is important that
halon is disposed of and destroyed in a responsible and
environmentally sound manner. If the halon contained in
your hand held fire extinguisher or fire system is not
disposed of properly, it may undermine the benefits
that the Regulation was designed to achieve.
Handheld fire extinguishers:
Any remaining hand-held fire extinguishers containing
halon should be coloured green or with a green border with
the word "halon" or "BCF " written clearly on them.
This should enable them to be more easily identified.
Further information:
For further information, please contact:
Scottish Executive
Environment and Rural Affairs Department
Environment Group
Air, Climate and Engineering Unit
1-G (North)
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Direct Dial Telephone: 0131 244 7384
Direct Dial Facsimile: 0131 244 0211
Email:
ozone@scotland.gsi.gov.uk