Australia’s HVACR industry celebrates World Refrigeration Day (WRD) on June 26, highlighting the critical role of refrigeration in everyday life. This year’s theme, Cool Skills, recognises the individuals behind the cooling industry and promotes career opportunities for young people.
WRD aims to raise awareness of the importance of refrigeration technologies and to spotlight the expertise, innovation, and problem-solving skills of technicians in the sector.
To mark the occasion, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) issues a statement emphasising the role of licensed technicians in Lifecycle Refrigerant Management. The statement notes that refrigerants are essential to homes, food preservation, and critical infrastructure, yet the technical skills required to handle them responsibly often go unrecognised.
“WRD is a great time to focus on the individuals on the ground making Lifecycle Refrigerant Management possible,” the statement reads.
RRA explains that licensed technicians recover refrigerants from refrigeration air conditioners, heat pumps, and motor vehicles during servicing and decommissioning. The recovered refrigerant is returned to wholesalers for reclamation or permanent disposal. Technicians must understand thermodynamics, electrical systems, and environmental safety to perform their work safely.
The statement highlights the environmental risks of mismanaged refrigerants, particularly legacy gases such as CFCs, HCFCs, and high GWP HFCs. Improper handling of even small quantities can cause long-term environmental damage.
“As we mark WRD 2025, the message is clear: the skills required to ensure responsible refrigerant management wouldn’t be possible without the people with the passion, knowledge and dedication to make it happen,” the statement concludes.
