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Duke recycling contest turns up really old appliances

Duke Energy has been looking for Ohio's oldest fridge throughout the summer.

Here's Duke's announcement about the local winners:

Duke Energy customer Patricia McMillan of Cleves turned in a 1937 white Westinghouse refrigerator with a box freezer inside to claim co-winner honors for southwest Ohio. “My husband and I had this from when we got married back in 1946,” McMillan said. “Believe it or not, it traveled in our family through several moves in Ohio from Cincinnati, to Montpelier, to Wapakoneta back to Cleves where we used it to store extra drinks until about 10 years ago.” The other co-winner, Duke Energy customer Thomas Kihm from Green Township, turned in a white 1937 GE refrigerator with a small box freezer on the top. Kihm says he learned about the contest from a friend and looks forward to receiving his reward. “I would say I’m energy efficient, as I am retired so I try to keep my bill down as much as I can,” Kihm said. “This money will definitely come in handy.”

In addition to the $30 incentive every customer received for participating in the appliance recycling program, each winner was also awarded $250.

A Columbus and a Cleveland family tied to take the contest's statewide prize, both with 1930 GE freezers.  

Duke says its utility customers can continue to save energy and money by having older, less efficient appliances picked up for recycling.  You can call 1-855-398-6200 or visit www.duke-energy.com/recycle

The program is limited to two units per household, in working order, and between 10 and 30 cubic feet. 

Duke says the units picked up through the program are sent to an appliance recycling facility, where hazardous materials are safely removed  and 95 percent of the materials from them are reclaimed for use in making new products.