MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARCI) today announced that it is the official turnkey provider for Santee Cooper's Refrigerator Rebate Program. ARCA will provide the refrigerator recycling services, as well as issue ENERGY STAR® rebates, for the utility's residential and commercial electric customers in South Carolina who participate in the energy efficiency program. The program is scheduled to run for three (3) years.

Through the program, participating utility customers are eligible for a variety of incentives that promote the use of energy efficient refrigerators. Santee Cooper's customers are offered a $40 rebate towards the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator. Customers receive a $75 rebate when they purchase a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator and recycle their old, energy-hogging refrigerator. Customers who purchase a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator can recycle two (2) of their old, working refrigerators, totaling a rebate of $110. Additionally, customers who turn in an operating but energy inefficient refrigerator without the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR unit will be eligible for a $35 incentive check.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility, and the state's largest power producer, supplying electricity directly or indirectly to more than 2 million South Carolinians.

ARCA currently provides services for 142 other electric utilities in the U.S. and Canada.

Edward R. (Jack) Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to provide turnkey appliance recycling services, including rebate processing, for this energy efficiency program sponsored by Santee Cooper. By capitalizing on ARCA's extensive experience in environmentally sound appliance recycling, Santee Cooper will reduce residential electricity demand, help lower their customers' energy bills and reduce costs normally associated with the purchase of a new, energy efficient appliance."

About ARCA

ARCA (www.arcainc.com) is one of the nation's largest recyclers of major household appliances for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities. The Company is also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling Technology (URT), one of the world's leading manufacturers of technologically advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household appliances and electronic scrap. With over 20 years experience, ARCA has set the standard for providing large- and small-scale appliance management services, including collection, processing and recycling. Since 1976, ARCA has recycled over 3,000,000 appliances through a variety of energy efficiency programs, as well as through contracts with manufacturers, retailers and local governments, in the United States and Canada.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with general economic conditions, competition in the retail and recycling industries and regulatory risks. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in ARCA's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other risks may be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the SEC.

SOURCE Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.