Britain’s fridge disposal crisis and what to do about it

Readers respond to an article by Sam Wollaston about Norfolk’s fridge mountain

Sam Wollaston (What an eyesore! My day at Norfolk’s frightful fridge mountain, 21 October) highlights an urgent issue, but misses a key underlying driver: the reality of climate change and increasingly hot UK summers.

Many standard UK fridge-freezers are only built to normal (N) ambient climate classes, rated to operate in temperatures up to +32C. During recent heatwaves, indoor temperatures in many homes regularly exceed this limit. Even subtropical (ST) rated units fail when ambient temperatures push past 38C. When ambient limits are exceeded, cooling systems fail, leading to compressor breakdown, spoiled food and premature appliance disposal.

We need higher regulatory standards requiring manufacturers to produce more durable, resilient appliances rated for higher ambient temperature classes (such as Tropical T or SN-T). Until manufacturers are held to these standards, UK consumers will continue to be left with failing fridges and our landfill waste will keep growing. Alistair Beattie London

The problem of fridge disposal needs government action. A “polluter pays” levy should apply to all new fridges, and should go proportionally to local authorities responsible for waste management. They could use the levy to commission companies to recycle fridges in an environment-friendly way. Steve Rowell Solihull

There is a simple solution when fridges and freezers are being thrown away simply because the owner wanted an “upgrade”. Appliances in working order can be given away to others via apps such as Olio and Freecycle, or community Facebook pages or WhatsApp groups. This is how I disposed of all my functional white goods when my house was renovated. Jacky Rowland London

I have just had to buy a new fridge as I can’t find replacements for the door seals on the the old one. Fridges should be repairable. Now the old one, which still functions in a rattly sort of way, has to join the recycling queue simply because of a bit of perished rubber. Diana Dalasini Molesey, Surrey