Refrigerant reclaim program under review

Refrigerant product stewardship is one of the three central pillars of Australia’s refrigerant management strategy, and RRA is the nationally approved product stewardship scheme. Levies placed on imported refrigerant support the collection, management, and safe disposal of surplus and unwanted refrigerant at end of life.

Although RRA’s program has garnered praise internationally, local stakeholders have also highlighted the potential to raise recovery rates. According to the most recent Cold Hard Facts report, around 80% of refrigerant is lost at system end of life. The Freeze Frame discussion paper, developed by AIRAH and the GBCA, also noted the potential for those in the supply chain, government and industry associations to enhance recovery and destruction of refrigerants through effective stewardship.

To understand how the current model is performing and how it can continue to evolve in response to a changing refrigerant landscape and emerging risks, a short survey has been developed. The survey is aimed at licensed technicians, contractors, and wholesalers and distributors across the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

The survey is designed to capture practical, on-the-ground insights from those working within the sector. According to RRA, it will help build a clearer picture of how day-to-day practices, incentives and operational realities influence refrigerant use, participation in the scheme, recovery behaviours and environmental outcomes. These insights will complemented by targeted stakeholder engagement, research and analysis to inform future recommendations.

The survey is open until EOD May 13, 2026, and can be accessed here.

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