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- Results of Amount of Fluorocarbons Recovered from Commercial Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Units Pursuant to the “Law for Recovery and Destruction of Fluorocarbons Contained in Commercial Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Units” of FY2011
Joint Press Release with the Ministry of the EnvironmentResults of Amount of Fluorocarbons Recovered from Commercial Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Units Pursuant to the “Law for Recovery and Destruction of Fluorocarbons Contained in Commercial Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Units” of FY2011
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) have compiled the amount of fluorocarbons recovered from commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning units in FY2011 pursuant to the Law for Recovery and Destruction of Fluorocarbons Contained in Commercial Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Units (hereinafter referred to as "the Fluorocarbons Recovery and Destruction Law"). METI hereby announces the compiled results.
In FY2011, the total number of units from which fluorocarbons were recovered was about 1,230,000, and the amount of fluorocarbons recovered was about 3,958 tons, which shows an increase of about 70,000 units (about 5.7%) and about 63 tons (about 1.6%) from the previous year respectively.
Fluorocarbons are thought to destroy the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. To combat such effects, it is necessary to promote the recovery of fluorocarbons and curb emissions into the air.
To deal with this situation, METI will strengthen the enforcement of the Fluorocarbons Recovery and Destruction Law jointly with the related administrative organizations and continue to take actions for facilitating the recovery.
1. Summary of the compiled results of the amount of fluorocarbons recovered in FY2011
A breakdown of the approximate 3,958 tons of fluorocarbons recovered from 1,230,000 commercial air-conditioning and refrigeration units in FY2011 is as follows: about 2,579 tons were recovered from about 990,000 units when the units were abolished; and about 1,379 tons were recovered from 240,000 units during their maintenance.
1) Details of the fluorocarbons from abolished units
The total number of units from which fluorocarbons were recovered increased by about 80,000 units (about 9%) from FY2010, and the amount of recovered fluorocarbons increased by about 183 tons (about 8 %) from the previous year.
2) Details of the fluorocarbons from the units under maintenance
The total number of units from which fluorocarbons were recovered decreased by about 20,000 units (about 7%) from FY 2010, and the amount of recovered fluorocarbons decreased by about 120 tons (about 8 %) from the previous year.
2. Future actions
Thus, fluorocarbons in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning units are being steadily recovered under the Law. However, the recovery ratio of fluorocarbons is about 30% of the estimated amount and we cannot say that it is sufficient. METI considers that it is necessary to continue making efforts to reinforce the recovery.
METI will continue to strengthen the enforcement of the Fluorocarbons Recovery and Destruction Law jointly with MOE and local governments. At the same time, the joint meeting of the Global Warming Prevention Measures Subcommittee of the Chemicals and Bio-industry Committee under the Industrial Structure Council and the Fluorocarbons Control Subcommittee of the Global Environment Committee under the Central Environment Council is currently discussing the future direction of the measures for fluorocarbons. Based on the results of the meeting, METI will ceaselessly endeavor to consider the future actions required to curb further emissions of fluorocarbons.
Release Date
December 21, 2012
Division in Charge
- Fluoride Gases Management Office, Chemical Management Policy Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, METI
- Office of Fluorocarbons Control Policy, Climate Change Policy Division, Global Environment Bureau, MOE