(1) A person who services or repairs or disposes of a motor vehicle air conditioning system; commercial or industrial air conditioning, heating, or refrigeration system; or consumer appliance shall use refrigerant extraction equipment to recover regulated refrigerants and substitutes that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

(2) Upon request, the department shall provide information and assistance to persons interested in collecting, transporting, or recycling regulated refrigerants and substitutes.

(3) The willful release of regulated refrigerants and substitutes from a source listed in subsection (1) of this section is prohibited.

Finding—1991 c 199: "The legislature finds that:

(1) The release of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting chemicals into the atmosphere contributes to the destruction of stratospheric ozone and threatens plant and animal life with harmful overexposure to ultraviolet radiation;

(2) The technology and equipment to extract and recover chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting chemicals from air conditioners, refrigerators, and other appliances are available;

(3) A number of nonessential consumer products contain ozone-depleting chemicals; and

(4) Unnecessary releases of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting chemicals from these sources should be eliminated." [ 1991 c 199 s 601.]

Finding—1991 c 199: See note following RCW 70A.15.1005.