Puget Sound Energy project shows the art of recycling

A Puget Sound Energy project team has shown that recycling can be artistic.

The team transformed a 1952 refrigerator into an award-winning work of art as part of the ENERGY STAR “Recycle My Old Fridge” refrigerator contest. The team transformed a 1952 refrigerator door into an award-winning work of art.

Bellevue-based PSE team members Mary Carnes, Shar Kegley, Sandra Palmer, Danny Grady, and Jane Howard worked together to create the recycled art piece that was recognized in the category of “The Art of Recycling: The Coolest Show in Town” at the ceremony held at the National Building Museum in September.

Team member Sharon Kegley, market manager for Energy Efficiency Services for PSE, stumbled upon the door on an informational tour through local refrigerator recycling organization, JACO Environmental. PSE and JACO Environmental are partners in a local refrigerator recycling program.

The program offers a $30 rebate and free pick-up to PSE customers to decommission older refrigerators which can use up to four times the energy of newer models.

Once a unit has been picked up from a customer’s home, JACO removes all the toxic materials, disassembles the shell and interior, and then sorts the materials by glass, metal, plastic, and insulation for reuse.

“While investing in newer, more efficient appliances is a great way to reduce household energy use, throwing away an older, less energy efficient refrigerator is not a good long-term plan for the environment,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services for PSE. “Most people know not to throw away an old refrigerator, but don’t realize how much energy it continues to use when left on in their basement or garage.”

PSE customers can obtain more information about how to recycle their old refrigerators and other energy efficiency information be visiting www.PSE.com or by calling a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482.