Residents were not allowed back into the neighborhoods for at least three weeks after Hurricane Katrina. And, with no electrical power things were rough.
Luckily, I went into my house 5 days after Katrina so my refrigerator could be salvaged. It was a most unpleasant task cleaning the decaying food such as once-frozen shrimp and chicken but I did not have to put my frig on the curb like these. Notice the tape and the ties to keep them shut or the stench and possible disease would be unbearable.
This group is collecting them and they will be drained of chemicals and crushed and used in some fashion of building materials. I believe this group is from Hard Rock Construction. Every house in a two-state area had at least one or two refrigerators on their curb. Appliances will be scarce for a while, but appliance dealers will make a mint once their businesses are up and running again.