Extinguishing agents based on hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and CFCs (substances that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer) contained in fire extinguishers and fire protection systems intended for uses other than critical uses must be recovered and sent for proper disposal in the manner laid down by law.
The collection of this waste must in fact be handled exclusively by Authorised Collection Centres that have entered into a Programme Agreement with the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Protection of Land and Sea.
Gielle, a signatory to a ministerial Programme Agreement, operates as an Authorised Collection Centre, without intermediaries, with professionalism and expertise, in the management and disposal of:
1. CFC- and HCFC-based extinguishing agents (Halon, HCFC blends, NAF S-III, NAF PIV, etc.)
2. CFC refrigerant fluids (R 12, R 13, R 500, R 502, R 503) and HCFC refrigerant fluids (R 22, R 408A, R 409A)
Halon recycling
We also offer halon recycling. Gielle aims to prevent the disposal and destruction of products, including halon gases, that can still be reused. We offer recycling of halons and fire protection materials, as well as halon storage for our customers.
Halon gas can be recovered from both refrigeration and fire protection equipment, such as fire extinguishers, for use in the critical uses permitted by law in land, marine or aviation applications.
Recovered halons can earn credits on the basis of the analysis received.
The products we recycle include:
Halon 1301 / R13b1
Halon 1211 / R12b1
Halon 2402
In accordance with European Regulation 1005/2009, all refrigerant and extinguishing gases (CFC-HCFC-HFC), at the end of their operating life, are to be considered special hazardous waste and must therefore be delivered to authorised collection centres.
Collection, recycling and disposal may be carried out by companies authorised by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and therefore entered in the National Register of Environmental Managers.
Gielle, which holds a Programme Agreement with the Italian Ministry of the Environment, carries out the collection of used refrigerant and extinguishing gases throughout Italy and then recycles or disposes of them (mixed and/or heavily contaminated CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs). The refrigerant gas recovered from refrigeration and air-conditioning systems is in fact special waste that is hazardous to the environment (EWC code 140601*) and as such must be sent for disposal, which may only be carried out at a centre authorised by the Italian Ministry of the Environment under a specific Programme Agreement.
Gielle, authorised by the Italian Ministry of the Environment, is a collection, recovery and disposal centre for special hazardous waste refrigerant gases identified by EWC code 140601*.
Throughout Italy, it collects used CFC, HCFC and HFC refrigerant gases to be sent for disposal or reclamation as special and hazardous waste (to which EWC code 140601* is assigned).
Precisely to help holders of used refrigerant gases fulfil their legal obligations, Gielle, through its refrigerants division, offers a recovery, recycling, reclamation and disposal service for refrigerant and extinguishing gases.
The customer is provided with containers (cylinders and drums) suitable for the storage and transport of used gases to be reclaimed or disposed of, bearing the appropriate labelling in compliance with the regulations. The containers are fitted with a valve with a dual liquid + gas connection to allow rapid recovery of the fluid from the system
Collection from the customer’s premises is carried out by carriers authorised to transport special hazardous waste with EWC code 140601*.
Acceptance of the special waste, which is weighed to verify the actual quantity of gas contained in the packaging, is followed by chemical analyses of the recovered gases to check the condition of the refrigerant fluid and the possible treatment: chemical analyses are carried out on the gas from the systems in order to assess its characteristics and degree of contamination (oil, sludge, moisture, carbon residues, etc.).
The analyses carried out are:
Chromatography to determine the assay, the composition of the fluid and any contaminants (high-boiling products)
Moisture according to the Karl Fischer method
Acidity test
Chloride ion test
The type of treatment is decided on the basis of the results of the chemical analyses:
- reclamation for those recovered refrigerant fluids that prove to be reclaimable: the treatment is carried out by a dedicated new-generation plant that allows the separation of impurities present in the refrigerant fluid such as H2O, high-boiling products and oil;
- disposal for those recovered refrigerant fluids that prove not to be reclaimable: storage in a designated area and subsequent dispatch of the waste to the thermal destruction platform for CFC products.
The customer is issued with a copy of the waste identification form certifying that disposal has been carried out, in full compliance with the legislation in force.
The recovered fluid is reclaimed in compliance with the ARI 700/2006 quality standards, which define the minimum purity parameters for the reclaimed product.
How the service works:
Once the type and quantity of gas have been established, the number and type of containers needed to collect it are determined (containers, cylinders, drums, etc.).
- The necessary containers are sent directly to the site where the system from which the waste is collected is located.
- The work is carried out and the gas to be disposed of is collected in the containers.
- The label with the code “R” and the “ADR” label supplied with the containers are affixed to the containers.
- The Waste Collection Request Form is then filled in completely (or the end customer is asked to fill it in). The form contains all the information needed to carry out the collection and disposal service (no. of containers to be collected and their serial numbers, type of gas, net weight of the waste, details of the requester and of the holder).
- The waste producer fills in the loading/unloading register, indicating the type and quantity of waste produced.
- The containers with the waste are collected by our authorised carrier, who issues the first copy of the waste identification form to the customer.
- When the waste arrives at the storage centre, the weight of the waste is checked and the fourth copy of the form is sent to the producer.
The containers dedicated to the service are fitted with a safety valve, are type-approved and comply with the periodic inspections required by law.
Our “turnkey” solution for the disposal of used refrigerant gases is ideal for refrigeration technicians and maintenance engineers of refrigeration/air-conditioning systems. Gielle also offers specialist consultancy, training and updates on waste management legislation and on the fulfilment of mandatory administrative requirements.