What do the terms "refrigerant recovery" and "recycling" refer to?

The terms "refrigerant recovery" and "recycling" have specific meanings in the context of HVAC and refrigeration systems. Recovery refers to the process of removing refrigerant from a system in a manner that allows it to be safely stored for either disposal or recycling. This is a critical step in managing refrigerants responsibly, especially because many refrigerants can be harmful to the environment if released.

Recycling, on the other hand, specifically involves filtering the recovered refrigerant to remove contaminants. This processed refrigerant can then be reused in other systems, which contributes to environmental sustainability and resource conservation.

Thus, the chosen answer accurately reflects that recovery is focused on the safe collection and disposal or preparation for recycling, while recycling refers to the purification process that enables the refrigerant to be reused effectively. The distinction in the processes emphasizes the importance of managing refrigerants throughout their lifecycle, ensuring they are handled correctly to minimize environmental impact.