Licensees could be breaking law in throwing out old fridges and freezers

Licensees who replace their fridge or freezer this year may find themselves inadvertently breaking the law.

New legislation from Europe, brought in on January 1, requires that old fridges have the insulation foam removed before disposal in order to prevent harmful CFCs escaping into the environment and damaging the ozone layer.

But according to trade leaders the Government has so far failed to provide any facilities in the UK to do this, which could leave licensees open to hefty fines for failing to comply.

Trade leaders have criticised the Government for failing to issue information on how to comply with the new regulation or set up disposal facilities.

Martin Rawlings of the British Beer and Pub Association has met with ministers to discuss the situation.

He told thePublican.com that he believed there were currently no facilities in the UK available for treating the foam and urged anyone who was thinking of disposing of a fridge to contact their local authority or the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs for further information.

But the Government insists that some facilities have already been put in place.

Environment minister Michael Meacher said: "The regulation is an important step in reducing releases of ozone-damaging chemicals from waste fridges and freezers.

"We have been working with all stakeholders to ensure there is as little disruption as possible now the new requirements have come into force, and to ensure old fridges will be disposed of safely.

"We have provided local authorities with guidance for the safe storage of waste fridges, and have developed CFC-removal standards so that industry can now invest in the required technology."