What does the term "end-of-life" refer to for refrigerants?

The term "end-of-life" for refrigerants specifically refers to the phase when a refrigerant can no longer be effectively used and must be either safely disposed of or recycled. This is a critical aspect of refrigerant management, as improper handling of refrigerants that have reached their end-of-life can lead to environmental harm, particularly for those substances known to have high Global Warming Potential (GWP) or ozone-depleting properties.

An understanding of this concept is essential for professionals involved in refrigerant handling, as they must ensure compliance with environmental regulations and best practices regarding refrigerant disposal and recycling. The emphasis is on the need for responsible management of refrigerants throughout their lifecycle, including at the point where they’re deemed no longer acceptable for use in cooling systems.