Recovery, Recycling, Reclaiming: The Differences

Recover, recycle, reclaim. Three words that sound alike, sit on the same Core topic list ("Three R Definitions"), and decide what you are allowed to do with refrigerant once it is out of a system. Most wrong answers on these questions come from treating them as steps of quality, like good, better, best. They are really about two things: what was done to the refrigerant, and whose equipment it may go into next.

The definitions, from the rule

All three are defined in 40 CFR 82.152, and EPA repeats them on its Recovering, Recycling and Reclaiming Refrigerants page.

Recover

To remove refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and store it in an external container, without necessarily testing or processing it in any way. Recovery is just "out and contained." It says nothing about how clean the refrigerant is.

Recycle

To extract refrigerant from an appliance (except MVACs) and clean it for reuse in equipment of the same owner, without meeting all of the requirements for reclamation. EPA notes that recycled refrigerant is usually cleaned using oil separation and single or multiple passes through devices such as replaceable core filter-driers.

Reclaim

To reprocess recovered refrigerant to all of the specifications in appendix A to Subpart F, which is based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants, and to verify that it meets them using the analytical methodology in section 5 of appendix A. EPA's definitions page adds that reclamation requires specialized machinery not available at a typical job site.

Source: EPA Section 608, 40 CFR 82.152 and EPA Section 608 definitions.

Side by side

The ownership rule that settles most questions

40 CFR 82.156(h) says refrigerant recovered from an appliance may be charged back into that appliance, or into another appliance owned by the same person, without being recycled or reclaimed, unless the appliance is an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance.

40 CFR 82.154(d) covers the other direction: no person may sell or offer to sell used refrigerant for use as a refrigerant unless it has been reclaimed by a certified reclaimer. The rule lists some exceptions, including refrigerant contained in appliances with fully assembled refrigerant circuits, transfers within a company and its subsidiaries, and transfers among federal agencies.

So when a practice question moves refrigerant from one customer to another, the answer is reclaim. When it stays with the same owner, recovery alone can be enough.

Source: EPA Section 608, 40 CFR 82.156(h) and 40 CFR 82.154(d).

Certified equipment and certified reclaimers

Two different "certified" ideas appear here, and they are easy to mix up.

• Certified recovery and recycling equipment. Under 40 CFR 82.154(b), no one may service, repair or dispose of an appliance with a class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerant without using recovery or recycling equipment certified for that refrigerant and appliance under 40 CFR 82.158. EPA's service practice page says recovery or recycling equipment must be certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization, treats equipment made before November 15, 1993 separately, and says technicians must use it according to the manufacturer's directions.
• Certified reclaimers. Reclamation is done by reclaimers certified under 40 CFR 82.164. EPA keeps a list of EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimers, linked from the Section 608 home page, which in 2026 also posted webinar slides on reclaimer registration and reporting.

Self-contained and system-dependent recovery

EPA defines two kinds of recovery equipment in 82.152. Self-contained equipment can remove refrigerant without help from components in the appliance. System-dependent equipment needs the appliance's own components to remove the refrigerant. Under 82.156(e), system-dependent equipment may not be used on appliances with a full charge of more than 15 pounds, unless it is a pump-out unit permanently attached to the appliance.

Records after disposal

Since January 1, 2018, technicians disposing of appliances with a full charge of more than 5 and less than 50 pounds must keep records for three years, including the company name, appliance location, date of recovery and refrigerant type, monthly totals by refrigerant type, and the quantity, recipient and date of anything sent for reclamation or destruction (40 CFR 82.156(a)(3)).

Three practice questions

More Core practice is in the Core section guide and the free quiz.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between recycling and reclaiming refrigerant?

Recycling cleans refrigerant for reuse in equipment of the same owner, usually with oil separation and filter-driers. Reclaiming reprocesses it to all the specifications in appendix A to Subpart F, based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, verified by the prescribed lab method.

Can I put recovered refrigerant back in the same system?

Yes. 40 CFR 82.156(h) lets recovered refrigerant go back into the same appliance, or another appliance owned by the same person, without recycling or reclamation, unless it is an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance.

Can I sell used refrigerant?

Not for use as a refrigerant unless it has been reclaimed by a certified reclaimer, except for a few listed cases, under 40 CFR 82.154(d).

Does recovery require testing the refrigerant?

No. Recovery means removing refrigerant in any condition and storing it in an external container, without necessarily testing or processing it.