Despite being a necessity for daily living, air conditioners – through the use of refrigerants – are known to utilise fluorocarbons to provide the efficient cooling we enjoy.
However, it’s also known that fluorocarbon refrigerant gases collectively contribute towards global warming if released into the atmosphere.
This can occur when refrigerants leak out of air conditioning systems or are improperly disposed of.
In the event that refrigerants used in air conditioner units exhaust their usefulness, it is a common practice to refill the units with fresh virgin gas.
This necessitates the need for the proper recovery, reclamation and recycling of refrigerant gases in an efficient manner, which prevents the improper disposal of waste gases and production of virgin refrigerant.
As one of the world’s leading air conditioner brands, Daikin has reiterated its commitment to environmental sustainability through its Environmental Vision 2050.
This focuses on offering clean and comfortable air solutions while also addressing environmental concerns by targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its full value chain by the year 2050.
This means that Daikin is spearheading an initiative to promote refrigerant recovery and reduce its carbon footprint in the region.
One initiative under this plan is the “Save the Earth: Exchange for the future generation” campaign, which will focus on creating an ecosystem for the reclamation and recovery of refrigerants.
In collaboration with licensed recycling centres and reclamation facilities, Daikin will collect, purify, and restore waste refrigerants to their original quality for reuse.
The old air conditioning units will be properly treated and recycled as e-waste.
Daikin will also work with its affiliates, namely Daikin Malaysia Sales and Service Sdn Bhd (DMSS) and Acson Malaysia Sales and Service Sdn Bhd (AMSS), to recover refrigerants from end-users during routine maintenance and servicing.
Associated installers and service staff will collect used refrigerants and air conditioner units and send them to a collection centre in Petaling Jaya.
The refrigerants will be sent to a licensed facility to undergo thorough processing to remove impurities and ensure compliance with ARI-700 standards (purity >99.5%).
Old air conditioner units will be sent to licensed recycling facilities to support sustainable e-waste management.
Initially launched as a pilot programme in the Klang Valley, the collection of used refrigerants will soon expand to other states in Malaysia, along with new collection centres.
To promote green practices, Daikin and its affiliates will also conduct training sessions for installers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to properly handle refrigerants and avoid negative impact on the environment.
For more information on Daikin’s environmental initiatives in Malaysia, click here.