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Fortunately, environmentally
safe, cost effective, and technologically reliable alternatives to F-gases
exist.
In the early 1990s, to demonstrate that environmentally safe alternatives to HCFCs and HFCs could exist, Greenpeace worked with a German company to develop Greenfreeze, a cooling system that uses hydrocarbons and is safe for the ozone layer and much better for the climate. While Greenpeace did not profit from this venture, our 70,000 supporters who pre-ordered a fridge helped put the technology out into the marketplace. Greenfreeze became one of the first-ever NGO attempts to actively participate in technology innovation to transform an industry.
Originally developed as part of Greenpeace's Ozone Campaign in 1992, today there are over 250 million Greenfreeze refrigerators in the world, produced by all the major European, Chinese, Japanese and Indian manufacturers. Major European companies, including Bosch/Siemens, Electrolux, Haier, Liebherr, Miele, Quelle, Vestfrost, Whirlpool, Bauknecht, Foron, and AEG are marketing Greenfreeze. It is now available in most major markets, with the exception of North America. Big industry users, most notably Coca Cola, McDonald's and Unilever are also switching over to HFC-free technologies.
Want to know if your refrigerator uses natural refrigerants? Check the back to see if it has the “R600a” label.
Greenpeace is continuing to promote Greenfreeze and other types of natural refrigeration technology—mainly carbon dioxide and ammonia—throughout the world, and especially in developing countries where its low cost and efficiency are particularly advantageous. Greenpeace also encourages the use of alternative technologies in mobile, household and industrial air-conditioning, and in supermarket refrigeration.
In short, Greenfreeze is an encouraging demonstration that there are workable solutions to climate change, when the will exists. For more information on solutions, please refer to our solutions fact sheet.
In the early 1990s, to demonstrate that environmentally safe alternatives to HCFCs and HFCs could exist, Greenpeace worked with a German company to develop Greenfreeze, a cooling system that uses hydrocarbons and is safe for the ozone layer and much better for the climate. While Greenpeace did not profit from this venture, our 70,000 supporters who pre-ordered a fridge helped put the technology out into the marketplace. Greenfreeze became one of the first-ever NGO attempts to actively participate in technology innovation to transform an industry.
Originally developed as part of Greenpeace's Ozone Campaign in 1992, today there are over 250 million Greenfreeze refrigerators in the world, produced by all the major European, Chinese, Japanese and Indian manufacturers. Major European companies, including Bosch/Siemens, Electrolux, Haier, Liebherr, Miele, Quelle, Vestfrost, Whirlpool, Bauknecht, Foron, and AEG are marketing Greenfreeze. It is now available in most major markets, with the exception of North America. Big industry users, most notably Coca Cola, McDonald's and Unilever are also switching over to HFC-free technologies.
Want to know if your refrigerator uses natural refrigerants? Check the back to see if it has the “R600a” label.
Greenpeace is continuing to promote Greenfreeze and other types of natural refrigeration technology—mainly carbon dioxide and ammonia—throughout the world, and especially in developing countries where its low cost and efficiency are particularly advantageous. Greenpeace also encourages the use of alternative technologies in mobile, household and industrial air-conditioning, and in supermarket refrigeration.
In short, Greenfreeze is an encouraging demonstration that there are workable solutions to climate change, when the will exists. For more information on solutions, please refer to our solutions fact sheet.
