How to Recycle Your Old Analog Television Set and Other Electronics

The anticipated broadcasting switch from analog to digital is finally here.

Though you can request $40 coupons from the Federal Government to use toward the purchase of a digital converter box, many people are choosing to purchase a beautiful new high-definition digital television (HDTV). However, this means millions of old analog televisions may end up in the landfill.

Here’s how to get rid of your old TV and other household electronics in an eco-friendly way.

Why Recycle My Old TV and Household Electronics?

The very worst thing you can do with your old analog television and other electronics is toss them in the dumpster.

Older TVs have that heavy lead shielding around the CRT to protect you from radiation when you're watching TV. But when that TV goes to the landfill, the lead (known to cause nervous system damage) leaches out into the environment.

Other electronics contain toxins such as mercury, barium, chromium and cadmium which can leach out into the environment if improperly disposed.

For these reasons, many states and municipalities have banned the dumping of televisions into landfills. This is where recycling comes into play.

How to Recycle Your Old TV and Electronics: Earth911.com

The quickest and easiest way to find locations that will accept your used TV and other household electronics for recycling is Earth911.com.

1. From the top menu on the Earth911.com home page, select Electronics.The electronics recycling page displays.
2. In the Find Recycling Centers For field, type tv.
3. In the Near field, enter your zip code.
4. Click Search. A list of organizations and retailers where you can recycle your old analog TV displays.

How to Recycle Your Old TV and Electronics: Telecommunications Industry Association's E-cycling Central

TIA's E-cycling Central allows you to click on your state to see electronics recycling events and locations where you can drop off your old analog TV and other electronics.

How to Recycle Your Old TV and Electronics: Consumer Electronic Association's myGreenElectronics.org

myGreenElectronics.org is a great resource for locating a place to drop off your old analog TV and other electronics.

From the myGreenElectronics home page, enter your zip code into the Find Recycling field on the left-hand side of the page and click GO to view a list of organizations who may recycle your used analog TV. Call first to make sure the business accepts used televisions for recycling.

How to Recycle Your Old TV and Electronics: Ecyclingtools.com

Though it's geared mainly toward businesses, ecyclingtools.com provides valuable information on where to recycle TVs and electronics. From the ecyclingtools.com home page, click Reuse & Recycle. On the Reuse and Recycling page, click your state to find recycling centers that accept used TVs and electronics.

How to Recycle Your Old TV and Electronics: Goodwill Industries International

You can donate your used analog TV or other used electronics to Goodwill, provided they are in good working order.

From Goodwill's website: "Some local Goodwills train workers to refurbish and de-manufacture equipment and resell systems and components, thereby avoiding high disposal costs. Contact your local Goodwill to find out what types of electronic equipment may be donated."

How to Recycle Your Old TV and Electronics: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) eCycling

EPA eCycling is a great resource to get you started on your way to recycling your old analog TV and used electronics.

On the EPA's Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products? page, you can view a comprehensive list of programs, retailers, and manufacturers that offer recycling services not just for TVs but also for a range of other electronics.

Helpful tips for Recycling Your Old TV and Electronics:

• Call the retailer or organization first before hauling your old analog TV over to them.
• For the sake of the environment and public health, don't toss your old analog TV into the trash. Recycle it instead.