Ghana has banned imports of second hand fridges in an attempt to curb pollution.

The West African nation reportedly wants to put a tighter leash on energy use and stop the release of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which were commonly used in old refrigerators.

A majority of fridges made before an American and European ban on the substance in October 2000 contained CFCs in their insulation material. After the Montreal Protocol, fridges were made without the ozone-destroying chemical but many old models seem to have made their way to Africa.

Although the ban was originally introduced in 2008, Ghanaian businesses were given four years to adjust and it kicks in as of this month.

The head of Ghana’s energy commission, Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkora told the BBC the ban made Ghana “a pioneer” in West Africa.