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About RRA

Our Origins

Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding the environment by recovering and responsibly managing ozone-depleting refrigerants (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG).

Our internationally recognised product stewardship program ensures the safe disposal of used and unwanted refrigerants, preventing harmful emissions that damage the ozone layer and contribute to global warming.

RRA is run and funded by industry and is committed to delivering solutions that help the industry effectively manage end-of-life refrigerants.

Since 1993, RRA has collaborated with the refrigeration and air conditioning industry and the Australian Government to collect unwanted refrigerants from over 500 locations across Australia. This effort has resulted in the recovery of over 10 million kilograms of refrigerant gases, equivalent to avoiding 18.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and preserving millions of tonnes of stratospheric ozone.

Our Mission

To support the industry in safely recovering and destroying contaminated, surplus, and unwanted refrigerant gases, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring industry-wide accountability. We deliver the necessary assets and infrastructure for effective refrigerant management while aligning with Australia’s international environmental commitments.

Our Vision

To maximise the recovery and safe management of unwanted ozone-depleting and synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants and, in doing so, minimise Australia’s emissions

Our History

  • 1975

    Ozone depletion suspected to be occurring

  • 1987

    Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

  • 1989

    Commonwealth Ozone Act

  • 1991

    State legislation

  • 1993

    RRA was created to take back ODS (voluntary)

  • 1997

    Kyoto Protocol

  • 2002

    RRA expands program to take back SGG (voluntary)

  • 2004

    National legislation was passed making it mandatory to recover, return, and safely dispose of ODS and SGGs

  • 2010

    Ban on the import of equipment containing HFCs

  • 2016

    Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol instituting a phase-down of the manufacture and use of HFCs and PFCs

  • 2018

    Australia commences phasing down the import of HFC refrigerants in bulk and cylinder

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