Don’t Throw It Away, Recycle Your Old TV

COLUMBUS, Ohio—The switch to digital TV will happen in February 2009 and retailers are expecting to sell millions of new TVs this holiday shopping season. But what do you do with your old TVs?

Most of the parts in old TVs are recyclable.

Companies like Tech Used will tear apart old TVs, separate the components and sell off the pieces.

The copper gets turned into new wire and plastic can become mulch, new toys or asphalt filler.

Most importantly, the pieces don’t end up in landfills where they can contaminate the ground water.

“Inside that glass tube is, typically, a pound and a half of lead, particles of mercury and phosphorous,“ said Ron Bragg, of Tech Used Recycling.

Most companies will charge a fee to recycle a TV. Tech Used charges a flat fee, but some companies charge by the size of the screen.

“By federal mandate, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio cannot put it in the landfill so they have to pay people to pull it out as it comes off the backs of the trucks after a daily pickup,“ Bragg said.

Wooden cases often cost extra because unlike wooden pallets that can become mulch, they’re not as recyclable.

“I’d love to do the same thing with that wood from televisions. I’ve yet to find a company that’ll do that,“ Bragg said.

For more information on where to donate your TV locally, click here.