This is always the case by me. Not ever have I found one WITHOUT freon in it .... Which is why I stopped taking them. However, I have seen tons of acs and water coolers and fridges in my yards shred pile, with freon still in them.... So ... I think the yard takes them like that and hopefully has a guy that empties them properly... My guess tho is that the yard probably does NOT empty them properly and just takes em and let's the freon out. So not sure if I want to be complacent in that if that's what they are doing .. but on the other hand, if I don't grab it, the next guy will and he will take it to the same yard ... So.... Idk