System and method for recycling non-reusable refrigerant containers

A system for recycling a refrigerant container having refrigerant content, comprising:

• an electronic reader configured to identify the refrigerant container;
• an automated control, configured to control processing of the refrigerant container in dependence on the identification;
• a compressor configured to compress refrigerant removed from the refrigerant container;
• and
• a plurality of storage vessels, each configured to separately store refrigerant from respective refrigerant containers, wherein the compressed refrigerant from the compressor is stored in a respective storage vessel selectively in dependence on the automated control.

A method for implementing a refrigerant container deposit program, comprising:

• encoding a refrigerant container;
• imposing a deposit on the encoded refrigerant container;
• receiving an encoded refrigerant container at a refrigerant recycling facility;
• automatically releasing the imposed deposit by updating a database record associated with recycling of refrigerant from the refrigerant container;
• automatically removing residual refrigerant from the refrigerant container;
• and
• recycling the encoded container separate from the residual refrigerant.