By now we all know that the government has mandated that analog television programming become digital. While the original date that was set for February 17, 2009, has been moved to June 12, 2009, about a third of the nation’s TV stations have already made the switch. But there’s still a little time to decide whether or not you want to buy a new HD TV, order a converter box, or subscribe to cable or satellite television.
For those of you hanging on to your existing TV, we salute you. For those of you who need to know what to do with the old analog buddy that saw you through many a late-night movie, we have some tips.
There are an estimated 24 million cathode ray tube televisions (CRT) that will need to be disposed of, and because they contain toxins such as chromium, lead (4 to 8 pounds per TV!), and mercury, it’s imperative that we recycle them. There really otta be a law, but until there is a national regulated recycling system in place, here are some end-of-life solutions for your old TV:
For TV recycling centers near you, check out:
eRecycle: for all things related to e-cycling your old TVs
Earth 911: find recycling centers near you, and get the skinny on how to make Earth Day every day
My Green Electronics: to find recycling centers closest to your zip code
National Recycling Coalition: for state by state recycling resources
Electronics Industry Alliance: to find reuse, recycling, and donation programs in your state
International Association of Electronic Recyclers Directory of the Electronics Recycling Industry: provides a comprehensive database on the electronics recycling industry
Directory of the North American Scrap Electronics Recycling Industry: for a list electronics scrap processors and buyers across North America
eStewards: because not all e-cycling centers are ethically managing toxic waste (really, how low can one go?), eStewards has created a gold star system for recyclers that have signed the Electronic Recycler's Pledge of True Stewardship, what eStewards consider to be “the most rigorous criteria for sustainable and socially just electronics recycling.
To donate obsolete but still working TVs, consider:
Goodwill Industries (please note: not all thrift stores want old TVs or computers because they are too expensive to dispose of if they are not working, so check first)
Salvation Army
Local schools, community organizations (maybe donate a digital-to-analog converter box along with it!)
Recycle for Breast Cancer
Freecycle: This site that will help you find an organization near you that wants your contraband.
Utilize TV manufacturer’s recycling options:
Sony and Waste Management
Samsung Recycling Direct: Samsung recently partnered with Wal-Mart to take back Wal-Mart’s house branded TVs
This list should really be longer . . . come on, manufacturers!
alexa
July 27, 2009 at 3:48am
Let's start thinking of all the things that could be banned because we'd like to transition to better technology. I think we should start with banning non-Hybrid cars! Not only new ones for sale, but all the old ones still on the road. We'll give you a thousand bucks or so to help with the transition, of course.On the other hand, in some ways DTV is NOT better technology. There is, and will not be, a digital version of that 2.5" portable TV mentioned earlier. Not with ATSC at any rate; you'll have to get that kind of thing via a subscripion from your cell phone company, for instance.marire sani
Ben
March 02, 2009 at 1:31pm
Agreed.
We'll be hanging on to our two analog CRT TV's for now- but if you're going to ditch the ______, at least take it to a recycling center.
b_dubb
March 02, 2009 at 10:35am
my old tv has a feature that none of the new tv's currently offer. its paid for.
StoneCRM114
March 02, 2009 at 12:49pm
I love that feature about my TV too! If you ever had an idea that people were really terrible, you could watch the news and know that you're right. - Frank Zappa
