According to EPA safe disposal requirements, who is responsible for recovering refrigerant before final equipment disposal?

The correct answer reflects the responsibility placed by the EPA on the final handler of equipment containing refrigerants. The final person in the disposal chain is obligated to ensure that all refrigerants are properly recovered and not released into the atmosphere. This requirement is part of the EPA's efforts to minimize environmental harm, specifically in relation to the emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases.

In practice, this means that when equipment like refrigerators, air conditioners, or other appliances that use refrigerants is being disposed of, the last handler must ensure that refrigerants are reclaimed and handled according to established protocols. This is crucial because improper disposal can result in significant environmental damage.

In contrast, while manufacturers, service technicians, and customers may play a role in handling refrigerants, they are not ultimately responsible for recovery during final disposal. Manufacturers may provide guidelines and technologies for recovery, service technicians may recover refrigerants during maintenance or repairs, and customers might engage in the disposal process, but the regulatory framework emphasizes the role of the last person in the disposal chain to ensure compliance with safe disposal regulations.