A MOUNTAIN of unwanted and broken refrigerators - currently topping 17,000 - is showing no signs of decline following the introduction of new environmental rules earlier this year.

Waste management company Yorwaste, which operates throughout North Yorkshire, has been inundated with thousands of unwanted fridges which must now be disposed of. European legislation introduced in January means chlorofluorocarbons (CFSs) must be removed before fridges can be disposed of or recycled.

More than 17,000 are being stored in a 36,000sq ft storage unit at Hessay, near York, on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council and York City Council.

A Yorwaste spokesman said it was looking at ways of reducing the fridge mountain.

Alternatives include exporting to Germany or transporting them to new decommissioning plants in Britain.

John Miller, recycling manager for the company, which manages seven landfill sites and 19 waste centres in North Yorkshire, said the cost of treatment and recycling has dropped. He said: "We hope to be in a position in the near future to oversee removal and treatment of fridges from Hessay - as well as continuing to provide a safe and secure storage facility."

Yorwaste said people wishing to get rid of old fridges and freezers could do so free of charge at any recycling centre in North Yorkshire.