Much media attention has been paid of late to stockpiles of domestic fridges awaiting recycling. If the media is to be believed, the way in which domestic fridges are managed and recycled is questionable. However, a-survey-of those responsible for waste fridge management in Wales has found that a series of events initiated by the UK government agreeing to the Montreal Protocol and a misunderstanding of European regulatory: language by national government as the root cause. However, Welsh local authorities have. adequate systems in place to deal with the discarded appliances and are, on the whole, complying with their.-mandatory obligations. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.