Revolutionizing Climate Action: How an Innovative Indonesian Startup is Capturing Coolants to Combat Global Warming

In Jakarta, Indonesian technician Ari Sobaruddin works diligently in a basement, focused on a crucial fight against climate change. He and his team spend long hours capturing refrigerant from air conditioning systems, tackling a potent greenhouse gas that is far more harmful than carbon dioxide.

Ari, part of the startup Recoolit, feels a deep sense of purpose in his role. “I love it because it’s about preserving nature,” he shares. Founded in 2021, Recoolit aims to address a significant yet often ignored cause of climate change: the emissions from refrigerants.

These gases, commonly used in air conditioning units and refrigerators, have a long history. Back in the 1970s, research revealed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were damaging the ozone layer, prompting global efforts to phase them out, culminating in the Montreal Protocol of 1989. Although hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) replaced CFCs and are less harmful to the ozone, they still contribute significantly to global warming.

According to the United Nations, HFCs could account for 7% to 19% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This alarming rise coincides with increasing demand for cooling systems as climate change drives temperatures higher. Robyn Schofield, an associate professor of atmospheric chemistry, emphasizes, “We need our indoor environments to be more resilient to climate change.”

Recoolit’s work is critical, especially in developing countries where HFCs will remain in use for years. While there are international agreements in place to phase them out, enforcement is often weak. Many technicians, facing limited resources and training, may accidentally vent refrigerants during maintenance, contributing to the problem.

To combat this, Recoolit trains technicians to capture and properly dispose of refrigerants, paying them roughly $3 for every kilogram recovered. These gases are either sent to approved incinerators or cement kilns for destruction, reducing their potential impact on the environment.

However, capturing refrigerants is just part of the solution. While recycling is possible, it is unreliable, as reintroducing refrigerants can lead to future leaks. Yosaka Eka Putranta, Recoolit’s head of operations, highlights this challenge, stating that guaranteeing the safety of recycled refrigerants is difficult.

Recoolit also navigates the complex carbon credit market. They sell credits based on the quantity of refrigerants destroyed, priced at around $75 per unit. However, the carbon credit system has faced scrutiny. Critics argue that it allows companies to offset emissions without making real reductions. Yet, Recoolit maintains the integrity of its credits by ensuring measurable destruction of potent gases and using a reliable methodology developed with help from Yale University.

The impact of refrigerant emissions is beginning to capture attention from major corporations. Google recently partnered with Recoolit to help prevent emissions equivalent to one million tons of carbon dioxide, signaling a growing recognition of the problem.

Despite some calls for stricter regulations, Recoolit plays a vital role by addressing a gap that private and public sectors have overlooked. Schofield notes the importance of such efforts, saying, “As climate action … it’s a very good one. I wish we had more of it.”

The work of Recoolit and others in this field highlights a critical path forward in the fight against climate change: capturing and properly managing refrigerants. This not only preserves the environment but also sets a precedent for innovative solutions in the green economy.



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Indonesia, startups, climate change, emissions