Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2011	Nov. 07, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA INC /MN
Entity Central Index Key	0000862861
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,492,777
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

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