Hawaii Energy's "Rid-A-Fridge" Promotion Helps Residents Reduce Energy and Fight Hunger

Posted October 26, 2013

Hawaii Energy’s Rid-A-Fridge to Fight Hunger promotion encourages residents to recycle old refrigerators or freezers and donate their rebates to their local food bank.

Hawaii Energy is offering this new opportunity as part of its ongoing refrigerator bounty program that provides free curb-side pick-up, recycling and a $25 (Oahu residents) and $65 (Maui & Hawaii Island residents) rebate.

Starting October 14 and while funds last, residential electric ratepayers on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island can choose to donate their rebate to their island’s respective food bank: Hawaii Foodbank (Oahu), Maui Food Bank and The Food Basket (Hawaii Island). A $25 donation can provide food for 60 meals on Oahu and $65 provides food for 250 meals on Maui and Hawaii Island.

“Recycling an energy-wasting fridge or freezer is a very simple way to make an immediate impact on your monthly electric bill,” explained Caroline Carl, Hawaii Energy’s Residential Program Manager. “With Rid-A-Fridge to Fight Hunger, customers can now enjoy the dual benefit of saving electricity while helping people that go hungry each day.”

Refrigerators and freezers built prior to 1993 can be 2 to 3 times more expensive to operate than a new ENERGY STAR® model. Taking those old units off the electric grid can save residents as much as $275 on Oahu, $320 on Maui and $355 for Hawaii Island* on their electric bill annually.

All Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island residential electric utility customers are eligible for the promotion. To qualify, refrigerators and freezers must be full-size (at least 14 cubic feet). Refrigerators and freezers must be in working condition.

Hawaii Energy launched its Bounty Program in August 2011. To date, approximately 1,682 refrigerators and freezers have been properly recycled through the program, which keeps them out of landfills. It is estimated that more than 1,438,519 kilowatt hours2 (kWh) of electricity and $518,505 in electricity costs have been saved. Recycling ensures that the inefficient units will not be resold or handed down thus continuing to waste energy. Appointments to schedule a pick up can be made by calling (808) 537-5577 on Oahu and toll-free on Maui and Hawaii Island at (877) 231-8222. For more information, visit www.hawaiienergy.com/rid-a-fridge.

*Actual savings may vary depending on the age and condition of the removed appliance and the electricity rates of each island as of September 2013.