Last year, the Keep Cool program became a truly “mass market” effort. Participation rates went through the roof, as we collected 5,772 old RACs from the public (compared to just 507 in 2004). In Toronto, the public was able to drop off their old unit at 12 Home Depot locations over three weekends in June. By doing so, they received a $25 gift card to the Home Depot in exchange. Keep Cool staff were on hand to handle the units, and provide education on the environmental and economic benefits of reducing electricity use in the summer. All old units were recycled through the City of Toronto and its contractor Total Home Comfort. The program resulted in a reduction of 4,132.6 MWh, 1,488.4 tonnes CO2e, 6.9 tonnes of N0x and 315 tonnes of SO2. Additionally, 824 kg of refrigerant (ozone depleting substances) were collected.

Through a creative marketing campaign Keep Cool devised a media stunt that was a huge hit. The event, held at the Docks Entertainment Complex in Toronto, entitled “Keep Cool pulls more than its weight” featured two World’s Strongmen competing to drag flatbed trucks full of old air conditioners. The event was a great kick off to Keep Cool’s record breaking summer campaign.