Frequently Asked Questions

RMC is a key element of the CCME CFC/Halon Disposal Strategy which Environment and Climate Change Canada has been working on with the provinces and territories. Canada has been an international leader in protecting the ozone layer and the RMC EPR program will help further Canada’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol.

Environment and Climate Change Canada  supports Extended Producer Responsibility as a policy option which is capable of achieving pollution prevention; toxics use reduction, waste minimization and the increase of the efficiency of resource use throughout the life cycle of products. The RMC initiative is a demonstration of that responsibility being taken by industry and shows a clear commitment to ridding the world of Halocarbon substances. The refrigeration industry’s leadership in this regard serves as a model for other industry sectors and other substances and wastes.

Click here to be directed to the Wholesaler database page. You will be able to search by city, province and by company name. Alternatively, you can call RMC at 1-800-267-2231 ext 245.

You can locate a qualified HRAI member contractor using our online Contractor Locator

Yes, RMC accepts refrigerants from the appliance and automotive industries on a User Fee basis, but Refrigerants from the automotive industry must not contain any HFOs due to their flammability.  If upon receipt at our Collection Service Providers any HFO material is detected once tested, the cylinder will be returned to the owner at their expense.  Please contact RMC at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 245 for further details.

Currently, the program only accepts refrigerant from the commercial stationary refrigeration and air conditioning industry and domestic window air conditioners on a no fee basis, with the exception of CFC-11.  Please note that there is a user fee to dispose of CFC -11 or R-11 refrigerants.  Please contact 1-800-267-2231 ext. 245 for further details.

Additionally, RMC does not accept refrigerant that is contaminated with products such as Duracool or Redtek from the automotive industry as these are hydrocarbons and contain propane.  RMC disposal process is performed by incineration, therefore refrigerant containing propane can not be accepted.  If cylinders containing these products is detected upon testing at our collection service providers, the cylinder will be returned to the customer at their expense.  

Contact your local HVACR wholesaler or an approved RMC Colletion Service Provider.  Click here to be directed to the Wholesaler database page.  You will be able to search by city, province and by company name.  Alternatively, you can call RMC at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 245.

Yes, if your surplus refrigerant is from the commercial stationary refrigeration and air conditioning industry, it will be accepted into the program on a no fee basis.

Refrigerant from the appliance (e.g. refrigerators, freezers) or the automotive industry will be accepted into the program on a User Fee basis. Refrigerants from the automotive industry must not contain any HFOs due to their flammability. Please contact RMC at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 245 for further details.

No, these products will not be accepted into the RMC program. The common name for Hydrocarbon is Butane, and due to the flammability of these refrigerants, they are not accepted. 

If these substances are found in the cylinder, that cylinder will be returned to the owner. Shipping and handling will apply.

The cylinder should be at least 40% full to be accepted in the program.

Yes, arrangements can be made with your participating wholesaler or with the Collection Service Provider.

The RMC Collection Service Providers (CSPs) are:

The only cost that may be incurred is the transportation of the cylinder to your wholesaler location, and should be transported by a carrier holding a TDG Certificate (Transportation of Dangerous Goods).   However, if the refrigerant is CFC-11 or R-11, there is a user fee to dispose of it.  Please contact 1-800-267-2231 ext. 245 for further details.

Note:

• Wholesalers may or may not have a cylinder handling fee which is NOT covered by the program; check with your wholesaler for details.
• Refrigerant that does not qualify for the program will be accepted on a fee basis. Fees to dispose of refrigerant that does not meet RMC criteria will be the responsibility of the contractor or end-user.

The following costs are covered by the program:

Shipping costs from the wholesaler to the RMC Collection Service Provider. This includes the return of empty cylinders to the wholesaler; Analysis, consolidation and storage of the refrigerant by the Collection Service Provider; Shipping costs from the Collection Service Provider to the destruction facility; and Destruction costs.

Here is how you can do your part to ensure the success of this program:

Your support for RMC helps make this a vital program a continued success and solidifies the leadership and commitment shown by the Canadian refrigeration and air conditioning industry to the future of Canada.

• Participate in the RMC collection/disposal process.

Yes, participating wholesalers will provide various sizes of recovery cylinders, usually on a deposit basis.

Yes, the RMC program accepts surplus refrigerants in DOT or TC approved recovery cylinders regardless of who owns the cylinder.

Yes, the empty cylinders will be returned. The return of your cylinders will depend on the volume received by the Collection Service Provider; however, on average cylinders are returned within one month after initial testing.