Cold Link Africa January / February 2020 | Page 25

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
VISITING A REFILLING SITE
From TRH by Enviroserve Hub, the group travelled in
excess of 100kms to the Geco new refilling facility.
Geco have added an automated filling station
for R134a, R22, R407 and R404A. Through a marketing
campaign, Geco are convincing many of their clients
to change from disposable cylinders to refillables as a
cost saving and for compliance with environmental
laws. Refillables also provide assurance of quality and
consistency as each cylinder is tested for leaks and
content composition at filling. A challenge to changing
to refillables has been the logistics in getting empty
cylinders returned. This challenge has partly been
resolved by only supplying filled cylinders in exchange for
empty ones.
The round table discussion was held with Enviroserve
representatives, Stuart Fleming, Sajid Tungekar, and Eruj
Nezar; Ronald Viskil from Unicorn Tools, Netherlands,
and UNIDO’s Natasha Kochova and Irma Kekic at
the conclusion of the visit. They paved the way for
establishing viable RRR centres in South Africa with the
UNIDO funded packages.
As experienced in Dubai, the acceptance of RRR in
South Africa, would require vigorous marketing, a close
co-operation with the NOU and financial incentives to
users of refrigerants. Other considerations in establishing
RRR centres in South Africa were highlighted:
• The UNIDO funded packages in South Africa were
able to provide the same services offered by
Enviroserve, Dubai;
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Acceptance of reclaimed refrigerant by industry
role players in South Africa would require quality
assurance of reclaimed products;
Compliance with environmental legislation needs
strict enforcement, including name and shame;
Contaminated refrigerant (unable to be reclaimed)
can be shipped to other countries such as Germany
for destruction;
South Africa is reliant on all imports of synthetic
refrigerants and reclaiming offers a viable
alternative and could be the only option when
HCFCs are banned and HFCs are in short supply
internationally;
A levy imposed at the time of importing synthetic
refrigerants could be an option to fund RRR centres;
The perceived challenges to RRR in South Africa
need to become opportunities and a win-win for all
parties created;
Large corporations in South Africa need to be
encouraged to support RRR as part of their CSR.
Support is also required by government, who own
many office blocks, hospitals and clinics, which are
air conditioned.
A simple comment by Stuart Fleming summarised RRR:
“Recycling of refrigerant is similar to placing clothing in
a washing machine, whereas reclaiming is sending it for
dry-cleaning, and it comes back as new. Recovered
refrigerant is a saleable item and venting is throwing
away good money.” CLA
The Recycling Hub
by Enviroserve stands
on 40 000m 2 of which
20 000m 2 houses,
under cover, the largest
integrated e-waste
recycling plant for
electrical
and electronic
equipment.
All participants were handed certificates of appreciation and thanks. Stuart
Fleming presents a certificate to Lutendo Ndhlovu of the NOU.
The GECO plant has four automated filling lines for each of the more commonly used refrigerants.
COLD LINK AFRICA •
January/February 2020
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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