Refrigerant Reclaim Increased 40% in 2022

While the data looks better, likely still not enough being recovered

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released data showing that there was an increase of more than 40% in the total volume of HFCs reclaimed in 2022 compared to 2021, see Table 1. The increase is important, because as supplies of virgin refrigerant dwindle due to the HFC phasedown, EPA is counting on the availability of reclaimed refrigerant to service existing equipment in future years. While the numbers are improving, the quantity of refrigerants being recovered is likely not sufficient to meet demand.

Table 1: HFC Refrigerant Reclamation Totals by Year (pounds)
	HFC-134a	R-404A	R-407A	R-407C	R-410A	Other HFCs	Total
2017	1,858,132	486,719	111,255	167,445	2,103,404	363,310	5,090,266
2018	1,910,240	506,639	143,254	167,248	2,043,667	479,261	5,250,309
2019	2,399,952	485,338	105,435	213,668	2,596,861	258,486	6,059,740
2020	1,956,644	478,556	87,162	315,424	2,347,000	206,029	5,390,816
2021	1,844,793	416,352	60,580	366,521	2,550,164	173,022	5,411,433
2022	2,317,825	443,342	22,874	474,205	3,591,058	757,282	7,606,586

In an FAQ, EPA answered the following questions:

Were more HFC refrigerants reclaimed in 2022 than in previous years?

Yes. In 2022, the data reported to EPA show an increase of more than 40% 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, see Table 2.

Table 2: ODS Refrigerant Reclamation Totals by Year (pounds)
	CFC-11	CFC-12	HCFC-22	HCFC-123	Other ODS	Total
2000	1,548,734	1,679,526	7,094,995	250,811	1,279,585	11,853,651
2001	1,182,130	1,296,745	4,320,103	212,568	703,223	7,714,769
2002	1,411,133	1,237,060	4,915,809	179,481	954,696	8,698,179
2003	903,731	623,245	4,356,619	110,022	685,609	6,679,226
2004	1,188,360	720,181	7,231,013	250,842	653,928	10,044,324
2005	985,184	593,345	6,172,133	319,539	307,530	8,377,731
2006	1,188,230	738,482	8,535,423	318,241	392,882	11,173,258
2007	891,687	460,594	8,191,322	227,323	307,511	10,078,437
2008	989,234	476,726	10,045,071	272,583	769,713	12,553,327
2009	1,026,824	212,638	7,544,327	436,463	407,908	9,628,160
2010	713,747	350,139	7,907,536	316,595	383,116	9,671,133
2011	719,036	291,869	8,290,406	335,760	564,474	10,201,545
2012	784,061	328,582	9,401,446	316,340	485,867	11,316,296
2013	736,126	372,521	8,701,264	445,854	517,538	10,773,303
2014	812,357	406,436	7,823,982	374,357	112,139	9,529,271
2015	740,543	288,302	7,811,832	399,683	272,668	9,513,028
2016	574,826	155,254	9,408,329	415,516	249,828	10,803,753
2017	905,045	263,957	8,680,022	592,256	158,564	10,599,844
2018	565,158	191,711	8,041,474	535,673	111,640	9,445,656
2019	486,525	152,386	7,821,260	581,941	154,198	9,196,310
2020	452,920	79,428	7,154,667	575,887	77,962	8,340,862
2021	384,528	87,682	6,274,644	576,776	48,936	7,372,566
2022	328,949	65,621	5,684,810	444,014	29,833	6,553,228

Note: Other ODS includes CFCs and HCFCs that have been reported in smaller quantities; ODS that are contained in blends with non-ODS (e.g., R-408A) are excluded.

When comparing 2022 data to 2021 data, are there specific HFC refrigerants that contributed to the increase in HFC refrigerants that were reclaimed?

The reported reclamation data show R-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 AIM Act and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Similar increases in reclamation occurred when ODS refrigerants were being phased out.

How does the EPA collect and verify reported HFC reclamation data?

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.

Does the EPA expect reclamation totals to continue to increase throughout the HFC phasedown?

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.

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