DTE Energy Recycles 35,000th Refrigerator

DTE Energy is offering to pay customers $40 to recycle their old refrigerators and freezers, as part of the company's Appliance Recycling Program.

DTE Energy has a program to pick up and recycle old refrigerators and freezers. If a consumer buys a new refrigerator or freezer after July 26 at a participating Sears store, they can select a convenient time for a crew to deliver the new unit to their home, and haul away the old unit, free of charge. Replacing an old inefficient refrigerator or freezer can save customers as much as $150 a year on energy costs.

"This is a great way to immediately start saving money on your household energy use," said Trevor Lauer, DTE Energy vice president marketing and renewables. "We make it easy for you to recycle. We provide the heavy lifting and we pay a reward to you just for participating."

The program, which is part of the Your Energy Savings initiative at DTE Energy, has recycled 35,000 older refrigerators and freezers since it began in 2009. All of the recycled collected appliances are taken apart at a recycling plant in Livonia, operated by Jaco Environmental. Ninety five percent of the materials in the refrigerators are recycled, and various hazardous materials properly handled.

DTE Energy's Your Energy Savings program provides customers with energy-saving strategies to lower their energy use.

For more information about how to schedule a pickup for your old refrigerator or freezer, call (866) 796-0512 or visit www.YourEnergySavings.com. The program is limited to the removal of two units per household. Appliances must be in working condition with an inside measurement of 10 cubic feet or more to qualify.

Program participants will receive their $40 reward by mail in four to six weeks.