Establishment of RRR&R Centres to Generate Economic Value and Reduce Harmful Emissions

Establishment of Jamaica’s seven Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling and Reclamation (RRR&R) Centres is being positioned as a major opportunity to generate economic value, reduce harmful emissions and strengthen the country’s transition to sustainable cooling solutions.

This was highlighted by International Montreal Protocol Specialist, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Agustin Sanchez Guevara, during a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’.

Mr. Guevara noted that the Centres, supported through UNDP partnership, can help Jamaica create a structured market for recovered refrigerants, while reducing dependence on imported gases.

He explained that many commercial and domestic appliances across Jamaica continue to rely on older refrigerants, while businesses and households often face challenges replacing equipment with newer technologies.

As a result, properly recovering and recycling refrigerants already in circulation presents a practical and cost-effective solution.

“There is an enormous opportunity to create these markets,” Mr. Guevara indicated, noting that gases recovered from old or contaminated systems can be cleaned, reused and returned to service.

He said this approach can extend the life of equipment, lower operating costs for businesses and consumers, and reduce the need for new refrigerant imports.

Mr. Guevara stressed that environmental benefits alone are not always enough to drive action, pointing out that practical economic incentives are essential to encouraging wider participation.

“If people do not see the benefit in their pockets, it can be difficult to move these things forward,” he noted.

He emphasised that the Centres could help create real financial value by allowing refrigerants to be recovered, processed and reused rather than discarded.

Recovered refrigerants that are reused or safely destroyed can prevent emissions of ozone-depleting and climate-warming substances from entering the atmosphere.

Mr. Guevara said this is particularly important as Jamaica advances efforts to phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and strengthen management of existing refrigerant banks.

He added that a successful recovery and recycling system can support national compliance under the Montreal Protocol, while improving environmental outcomes.

The UNDP Specialist also pointed to the potential for new business activity, including specialised recovery, recycling and destruction services.

However, he noted that developing these systems requires investment in equipment, facilities, regulations and technical capacity.

He stressed that strong partnerships among government, industry and training institutions will be essential to making the Centres sustainable over the long term.

Mr. Guevara said Jamaica’s progress could serve as a model for other countries seeking practical solutions to refrigerant management.

With seven Centres now established and growing stakeholder support, he noted that Jamaica is well placed to demonstrate how environmental protection and economic opportunity can advance together.