Washington State residents can support Earth Day on April 22 by participating in activities designed to promote environmental and community health. This year, Washington residents can participate in “Cash for Appliances Washington,” which helps consumers support a healthy sustainable environment by offering extra cash back for a new energy-efficient refrigerator or clothes washer. Older appliances can be a big energy drain; making the switch to an energy efficient model is an effective way to use less energy and tread more lightly on the earth.

Cash for Appliances Washington rebates are only available until funds run out. The program offers $100 cash back on new, qualified Energy Star clothes washers and $75 on new Energy Star refrigerators when the old unit is recycled. These cash back incentives are in addition to the incentives offered through Washington utilities, manufacturers or retailers for purchasing new and recycling old appliances.

All Washington State households are eligible to receive one clothes washer and one refrigerator rebate. Consumers must buy their appliance from a Washington State retailer on or after March 15, 2010. Products that qualify for the rebate are Energy Star refrigerators greater than 9 cubic feet and ultra-high efficiency Energy Star clothes washers (MEF 2.46 and WF 4). The program is expected to result in 15,000 fridges and 45,000 clothes washers being replaced by new efficient models, preventing 8042 tons (16,083,192 lbs.) of CO2 from being released into the environment.

To learn more about Washington State Earth Day activities please contact the State Parks and Recreation Commission at (360) 902-8500. To learn more about Cash for Appliances and access application forms and instructions visit cashforapplianceswa.com. Cash for Appliances Washington is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce.