Since 1976, Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (ARCA) has provided major manufacturers and retailers, utilities, waste management businesses, vending machine companies, property managers and local governments with reverse logistics, energy-efficiency programs and appliance recycling services.

Over the years, ARCA has managed millions of refrigerators, ranges, washers, dryers and other household appliances for customers throughout North America.

1976
ARCA is founded to manage unwanted appliances for retailers in major metropolitan areas. The company collects old appliances from retail customers and reconditions the appliances for resale or recycles them.
Mid 1980s
Increasingly restrictive environmental regulations spur the company to develop large-scale, environmentally responsible recycling systems.

Late 1980s
The company develops programs to provide the electric utility industry with turnkey services to remove and recycle energy-inefficient appliances. ARCA establishes the industry’s first U.S. large-scale appliance processing and recycling center, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Early 1990s
ARCA becomes a publicly traded company with a November 1991 IPO and concentrates on providing appliance recycling services to electric utilities in support of their energy conservation efforts. At peak operations in the early 1990s, ARCA provides services for more than 20 utility companies across the United States and Canada.

Mid 1990s
The debate about deregulation of the electric utility industry begins, causing many utility companies throughout the country to suspend their appliance recycling programs. ARCA responds by refocusing its business on reverse logistics for manufacturers and appliance retailing to the general public, while continuing to serve West Coast electric utilities that maintain their commitment to appliance recycling programs.

Late 1990s
In 1997, Whirlpool Corporation selects ARCA to manage reverse logistics for Whirlpool's distressed products—scratch and dent, discontinued models, floor samples, and returned and exchanged appliances. By the end of 1999, ARCA is operating six ApplianceSmart retail outlets and three recycling centers in the U.S. and intensifies the refinement of the systems necessary to supply premium reverse logistics services.

Early 2000s
In response to the deepening energy crisis in California, ARCA's refrigerator/freezer appliance recycling services for residential electric customers expand into other critical target areas of the state. ARCA implements advanced, custom-designed software and systems. ARCA continues to open new ApplianceSmart factory outlets.

Mid 2000s
With global warming an immediate concern, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launches the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) forms the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Both agencies promote appliance recycling programs as second only to lighting initiatives to significantly reduce electric demand and prevent release of ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Late 2000s
ARCA manages over 20 recycling and/or replacement programs in North America, the largest of which are in southern California and the Canadian province of Ontario. ARCA further enhances its software capabilities with wireless handheld data devices and dashboard reporting capabilities. Sixteen ApplianceSmart factory outlets are operating in May 2008, located in Minnesota, Ohio, Georgia and Texas.