Amid an escalating climate crisis, Earth Day once again forces us to confront a critical question: what measurable impact can we have—individually and collectively—on an issue that concerns us all?
Giving in to discouragement would be defeatist. There are effective and accessible ways to combat climate change—like recycling your old fridges and air conditioners when they reach the end of their life. A simple action, but one that can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Properly recycling your cooling appliances—like fridges, wine coolers, or water dispensers—can make a real difference for the environment. On average, every appliance left abandoned on the curb releases a ton of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, since most are only recycled for their metal components. Harmful substances—like refrigerant gases, oil and plastics—often go untreated. On the flip side, properly recovering an appliance prevents as much emissions as a flight from Montreal to Barcelona.
As the only organization recognized by RECYC-QUEBEC to ensure the responsible recycling of refrigerant appliances and air conditioners, GoRecycle operates across Quebec with more than 600 collection points, including 300 public drop-off sites. Since it was founded, GoRecycle has recovered over 560,000 appliances, preventing more than 481,000 tons of GHG emissions. Every one of these appliances is recycled locally by fully Quebec-based recyclers, in compliance with the strictest environmental standards.
By bringing together stakeholders from all over the province, GoRecycle is working towards making a real difference in the fight against climate change and waste.
Lastly, it’s important to remind ourselves that Earth Day isn’t just a celebration—it’s a call to action. Recovering our appliances responsibly, rolling out tangible solutions, and raising awareness on our environmental impact must become our second nature. Leading by example is our responsibility—and our top priority.
This April 22, I invite us all to turn concerns into actions. Every appliance recycled through GoRecycle is a win for our Quebec of tomorrow—a greener and more responsible Quebec.
If you haven’t already, join the GoRecycle movement and help us set the example—so that no fridge or air conditioner is left abandoned on the curb this spring. Don’t dump your old appliances on the street—drop them off at an official GoRecycle partner or use one of the many at-home pickup services offered by our members and over 90 municipalities across Quebec.
We are shaping our future climate today, one appliance at a time.
Signed by Jules Foisy Lapointe, Executive Director at GoRecycle
