Yes. In 2022, the data reported to EPA show an increase of more than 40 percent in the total volume of HFCs reclaimed compared to 2021. For the first time, the total amount of HFCs reclaimed in pounds is greater than the amount of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) reclaimed.
The reported reclamation data show HFC-134a and R-410A are the main drivers contributing to the large year-over-year increase in HFC reclamation. Currently, these are the most widely used HFCs for refrigeration and air conditioning. Such increases are not unexpected as the United States phases down the production and consumption of virgin HFCs in accordance with the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Similar increases in reclamation occurred when ODS refrigerants were being phased out.
EPA-certified reclaimers are required to report the total amount of received and reclaimed HFCs annually under the Clean Air Act Section 608 Program and on a quarterly basis under the HFC Allocation program. The EPA reviews these reports, including identifying data discrepancies in the reported totals. Starting in 2024, the HFC Allocation program requires that EPA-certified reclaimers have third-party auditing of their records concerning HFC reclamation.
Yes. As the supply of virgin HFCs declines, the demand for reclaimed HFCs is expected to continue to increase. Starting January 1, 2024, total production and consumption of virgin HFCs will be reduced to 60% of the baseline for the United States, with further phasedown steps through 2036. The anticipated increase in reclaimed HFC refrigerants is consistent with how the market responded to the phaseout of ODS. There was an increase in ODS reclamation as the phaseout progressed.
U.S. EPA ODS and HFC Refrigerant Reclamation Table (pdf)
Source: EPA