Avista offers recycle reward

Avista Utilities is launching a refrigerator recycling program for its Washington and Idaho electric customers.

Customers will receive a $30 rebate when they replace pre-1995 refrigerators or freezers. The older appliances can use up to 1,500 kilowatt-hours annually – about three times as much as newer models, Avista said.

Avista is working with JACO Environmental to recycle the appliances. To schedule a free pickup, call (877) 577-0510.

Avista expects to recycle 6,000 older appliances during the next two years.

Replacing older appliances with energy-efficient models could save more than 5.4 million kilowatt-hours over the two-year span and eliminate almost 1,700 metric tons of carbon emissions – the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking 278 passenger vehicles off the road, Avista officials said.