TV Recycling? Here’s How

In the wake of the nation-wide switch to digital television, are you wondering what to do with your old analog TV sets? Recycling them is easier than you think – and better for the planet, too.

Trashing televisions adds to the mountains of garbage people throw away every day. Plus, tossing your tv releases toxic chemicals into the environment. On average, a television contains four to six pounds of lead, plus mercury and cadmium – all dangerous heavy metals that can pollute our drinking water if they get loose (as they inevitably will if they’re just thrown into a landfill).

What’s the alternative?

* Convert it. If your set is still in good working order, get a converter box so you can switch the set to digital cable. Until July 31, 2009, you can redeem a free government coupon worth $40 to help underwrite the cost of the converter box.

* Recycle it. Check locally to see if your state has established e-waste recycling centers.  For example, Washington state has had 200 collection points open since January that collect old televisions, computers, and monitors for free.  Maine and Oregon have similar programs and many other states will soon.  TIA E-Cycling Center lists municipal and private drop-off locations by state.

* Give it back. The manufacturer or retailer of your television set may reclaim and recycle it.  The U.S. EPA has created a partnership called Plug-in to eCycling which lists companies that recycle old electronics.  Sony, Sharp, Best Buy, Panasonic, and Wal-Mart are among the participating companies. Check out their website to see if the retailer or manufacturer who sold you your TV is on the list.

Earth911 links to more local television recycling options.

The EPA estimates that 99.1 million television sets sit in homes, unused, across the US.  If you consider that each one contains 5 pounds of lead on average, that’s nearly 500 million pounds of lead that could potentially end up in the environment.  No wonder trashing your tv is now illegal in many municipalities.

by Katie Kelleher

See More Related:

Share with Friends

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Go Green. Save Money. Guaranteed!

Save $5,070 with our FREE Go Green Save Money Guide

About Diane

Diane MacEachern is a mother of two kids, best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur with a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and the Environment. She founded Big Green Purse because she is passionate about sharing her experience and expertise with anyone who wants to live green and save money doing it.

2 thoughts on “TV Recycling? Here’s How”

  1. I have an old TV and a digital cable box – my TV works just fine. I’ll be hanging on to it as long as I can convince my husband to!
    I’ve also heard that people with antennas can now receive more channels better with the new signal, but I haven’t tried it.

  2. There are a lot of organizations that promote environmentally safe practices. One way people can contribute is to mange their paper waste and e-waste. Businesses that manage and dispose of documents and records include paper shredding companies and document destruction businesses. As a Texas shredding company, we assist corporate entities in managing and disposing their paper waste and get them ready for recycling.

Comments are closed.

Welcome

Hi! I’m passionate about helping you protect yourself and your family and save money doing it. I believe we can use the power of our purse or pocketbook to change the world.

Here’s how it all started.

Shop Green

Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth

Reusable Cotton Face Mask w/Filters

Big Green Purse Approved!

Most Popular Posts

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter for More Money-Saving Green Living Tips

Why My Purse is Green

This website uses cookies

We use cookies to make sure that you have the best possible experience on Big Green Purse. Cookies help you find what you’re looking for, help us show you additional content we think you might be interested in, and also help us optimize our site’s performance. Sound helpful?

Go Green. Save Money. Guaranteed!

Save $5,070 THIS YEAR With Our FREE Go Green, Save Money Guide