Frequently asked questions.
Which refrigerants do you collect?
Most HFCs and HFC blends, such as R404A, R507A, R410A, R134a, R407C, R407F, R448A and R449A. We also accept R22 and other ozone-depleting substances, but these may no longer be used for servicing and go to licensed destruction. If you are unsure about a gas, just ask.
How is the price set?
Every lot is different: gas type, purity, quantity and location set the price. So we look at each lot separately and you know where you stand upfront. We only schedule collection once you agree. Our aim: disposal costs you as little as possible.
Does disposal cost me money?
That depends on the lot. Clean, single-type gas in its own cylinder gets the best terms. We also take mixed or unknown gas, but that may cost money. You always hear that upfront, so there are no surprises.
Is there a minimum quantity?
There is no hard minimum for the Cylinder service. For a one-off pickup, a small lot may be combined with a later route. So very small lots are sometimes collected together with others, to make the pickup worthwhile.
What if the gas is mixed or contaminated?
We still accept it. Mixed gas usually goes to separation or destruction, and that may cost money. We tell you that upfront. Either way, it is disposed of correctly.
Who does the recovery?
Always an F-gas certified technician, usually your own installer. If you don't have one, we can arrange one. We take over from the full cylinder onwards.
How does collection work?
A licensed carrier collects the cylinders from your site or depot. For the Cylinder service we bundle pickups into fixed routes. For a project we plan collection around your schedule.
What paperwork do I get?
A copy of the consignment note. On request also a certificate stating kilos, gas type, CO₂ equivalent and destination. You can use it for your F-gas logbook and your ESG report.
What are a waste stream number and a consignment note?
Recovered refrigerant is hazardous waste. The waste stream number is the number under which that waste stream is accepted and reported. The consignment note travels with every load and states who hands over the waste, who carries it, where it goes and how much there is. We arrange both.
Which cylinders should I use?
Only cylinders intended for recovered refrigerant, with one gas type per cylinder. Need cylinders? Ask us and we'll see what we can do. Label each cylinder with gas type, date and origin.
Can I still top up with high-GWP refrigerant?
Since 1 January 2025, virgin refrigerant with a GWP of 2500 or more may no longer be used to service refrigeration equipment. Reclaimed or recycled gas is allowed until 1 January 2030. The same applies to air conditioning and heat pumps from 1 January 2026, with reclaimed or recycled gas allowed until 1 January 2032.
What changes in 2032?
From 1 January 2032, virgin refrigerant with a GWP of 750 or more may no longer be used to service stationary refrigeration equipment. Chillers are excluded. Reclaimed or recycled gas remains allowed. This also affects widely used replacements such as R448A and R449A.
Who is responsible for the refrigerant in a system?
The operator: the party with actual control over the technical functioning, usually the owner or user. They are responsible for leak checks, the logbook and recovery by certified personnel during servicing and decommissioning. The work itself can sit with a maintenance contractor, the responsibility cannot.
Can recovered refrigerant be reused?
Only after it has been recycled or reclaimed. Reclaimed gas has been reprocessed to the quality of virgin gas. Recycled gas with a GWP of 2500 or more may only be used by the company that recovered it, or for the company on whose behalf it was recovered.
What happens to R22?
R22 is an HCFC, an ozone-depleting substance. Since 2015 it may not be used for servicing in the EU, not even reclaimed. Recovered R22 therefore goes to licensed destruction.
What goes in the logbook?
Among other things the gas type and quantity, what was added and what was recovered. On decommissioning, also the measures taken to recover and dispose of the gas. You keep the logbook for at least five years.
Who is behind Gaia Cooling?
Sebastiaan Visser, founder, based in The Hague. He has worked in HFC quota markets in the EU, Great Britain and the United States for seven years. Gaia Cooling is his answer to where refrigerant will come from as virgin gas becomes scarcer.
Do you sell refrigerant?
Not at the moment. Our focus is collecting recovered refrigerant. Over time we aim to supply reclaimed refrigerant back as well.
Where does the gas go?
To accredited reclaim plants, which reprocess it to the quality of virgin gas. Gas that may not be reused or is too contaminated, such as R22, goes to licensed destruction. The destination is stated on the certificate.
Where do you operate?
The Netherlands first. Larger lots elsewhere in Europe are possible on request.
How fast do you reply?
Within two working days. Include the gas type, estimated quantity and location with your request, so we can look at your lot properly straight away.