People are being urged to think twice about how they dispose of their old fridges and freezers.
This warning comes after East Cambridgeshire District Council recorded 35 incidents of fly-tipping involving these appliances last year.
A single fridge that contains chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and is improperly disposed of can cause as much environmental damage as a household's annual electricity usage or a car's yearly mileage.
The council said that the impact from a single fridge would take a year's worth of electricity from solar panels to offset.
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This is due to the chemicals in fridges, which can leak over time and are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the atmosphere.
Councillor Julia Huffer said: “Fly-tipped or abandoned fridges or freezers have the potential to have a have hugely damaging effect on our environment."
With many people considering new kitchen appliances or taking advantage of January sales, Councillor Huffer is concerned about the responsible disposal of old fridges and freezers.
She said: “Unfortunately, while many people are keen to purchase new goods, disposing of the old ones responsibly is not so appealing.
“If you do need to dispose of your fridge please, please do so responsibly.”
The council suggests several ways to dispose of unwanted fridges responsibly.
These include ordering a bulky waste collection service, using take-back services from retailers, or taking the appliance to a household waste recycling centre.
Households are also urged to refuse the services of any waste collector who cannot prove that they are a registered waste carrier and cannot confirm where the waste will be taken.
Cheap offers should be approached with caution as the fixed penalties for illegal waste disposal are significant.
Further details on fly-tipping can be found on the East Cambridgeshire District Council website.
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