Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA) Launches Second Year Contract for Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program in Southern Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARCI) has been selected for a second year to provide services for the Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program sponsored by the Triad in southern Minnesota. The Triad consists of three southern Minnesota utilities: Austin Utilities, Owatonna Public Utilities and Rochester Public Utilities. The program, which saw an overwhelming response from utility customers in 2011, began again on May 15, 2012.

Through this program, participating utility customers who turn in operating but energy inefficient secondary refrigerators and freezers between May 15 and October 31, 2012 (or while funds last) will be eligible for a $35 incentive for each qualifying appliance, with a maximum of two units per length of the program. ARCA will perform the in-home collection of qualifying refrigerators and freezers and continue to properly recycle the units locally in Minnesota.

Edward R. (Jack) Cameron, ARCA's President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "The Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program was well received in 2011 and are we are pleased to have the opportunity to continue to provide environmentally sound, turnkey appliance recycling services in our home state of Minnesota. By partnering with the Triad, we will continue to prevent the release of ozone-depleting and high-global-warming-potential refrigerants, as well as other environmentally damaging materials, found in old appliances while reducing residential electricity demand in Southern Minnesota."

To participate in the program please call 877-341-2259 or visit www.ARCAIncUtility.com.

About ARCA

ARCA's (NASDAQ:ARCI) three business components are uniquely positioned in the industry to work together to provide a full array of appliance-related services. Twenty Company-owned stores under the name ApplianceSmart, Inc.® sell new appliances directly to consumers and provide affordable ENERGY STAR® options for energy efficiency appliance replacement programs; ARCA's regional centers process appliances at end of life to remove environmentally damaging substances and produce material byproducts for recycling for over 200 utilities in the U.S. and Canada; and ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC employs advanced technology to refine traditional appliance recycling techniques to achieve optimal revenue-generating and environmental benefits. ARCA is also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling Technology (URT), one of the world's leading manufacturers of technologically advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household appliances and electronic scrap.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with general economic conditions, competition in the retail and recycling industries and regulatory risks. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in ARCA's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other risks may be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the SEC.

SOURCE Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.