Refrigerant is main feature in Redbox recycling
11th February 2025
USA: CoolSys, the US HVACR contracting group, is assisting US retailers in removing and recycling Redbox kiosks following the closure of the DVD rental company.
Redbox Automated Retail, which rented and sold DVD and Blu-Ray films from automated kiosks at retail stores. The company went bankrupt last year, leaving behind around 27,000 kiosks, each of which could hold up to 630 discs.
Around 24,000 of these kiosks are situated outdoors and contain refrigeration systems designed to protect DVDs from extreme temperatures.
As well as safely removing and handling the R134a refrigerant, the kiosk disposal also requires recycling components such as electronics, metal and plastic. CoolSys has stepped in to address this need, providing retailers with what CoolSys says is an efficient, eco-friendly solution.
“The closure of Redbox has created a significant logistical challenge for retailers who need to remove and recycle these kiosks,” said Rich Wyckoff, CoolSys chief executive officer and president. “We’re leveraging our expertise in refrigeration and sustainability to ensure that these units are not only removed but also responsibly recycled. We aim to help retailers easily remove these defunct units while protecting the environment.”
Since launching this service, CoolSys says it has removed and recycled over 4,700 Redbox kiosks nationwide.
