Which of the following represents a best practice regarding refrigerant recovery?

Recovery should be thoroughly documented to ensure accountability because proper documentation serves multiple important purposes in the refrigerant recovery process. First, it helps track the type and amount of refrigerant that has been recovered, which is crucial for compliance with environmental regulations. Accurate records ensure that any refrigerant recovered is properly accounted for, minimizing the risk of leaks or mismanagement.

Additionally, documentation can provide essential information for future service needs, allowing technicians to reference previous recovery efforts and manage refrigerant inventory effectively. It also promotes accountability within the organization, as it requires technicians to adhere to standardized procedures and verifies that they are following industry best practices.

In terms of the other options: convenience in recovery might lead to inconsistent practices; frequent checks without documentation fail to establish a reliable record of compliance and functionality; and while sampling refrigerants might seem harmless, it poses significant safety risks and is typically not allowed without proper procedures in place. Thus, maintaining thorough documentation is the most responsible and safest practice for refrigerant recovery.