How To Recycle TV?
It’s estimated that Americans get rid of about 400 million electronic devices every single year, and unfortunately, a lot of that doesn’t end up for recycling. And with people upgrading their TVs almost as often as they upgrade their phones, it’s never been more important to do the right thing.
Why Should You Recycle Broken TV?
You should always consider recycling a broken TV, whether it’s a relatively new LCD one or one of the old tube TVs that you’ve stored in your basement for longer than you can remember.
And there are three main reasons for taking this important step.
Reduce Toxic Materials - All electronics contain toxic materials and heavy metals
Reduced Climate Impact - Dumping at landfills or exporting waste often ends up in open-air burning.
Collecting Raw Materials - Many of the metals in TVs can be extracted and then reused for new devices.
Energy Savings - By reusing materials, we can save a lot of energy on mining raw materials.
What Materials/Parts Can You Retrieve From Old TVs
When you recycle TV sets through a certified provider, you can ensure that many of the materials enter the cycle economy. A lot of plastic materials can be recycled to make all kinds of new consumer products.
But it’s even more important when you look at the metals contained in TVs.
In old tube TVs, you’ll find a lot of copper, iron, and steel, with some trace amounts of lead as well. There are also toxic metals like mercury, which could pose health risks if they escape into the environment.
With newer LCD TVs, there are also precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, along with rare earth metals that can be extracted and reused in the production of new electronic devices.
Not only does this hugely reduce the need for mining raw materials, but it can be a lot cheaper to extract them through a recycling process rather than through large mining operations.
How to Recycle A TV?
E-Waste Recyclers
If your old TV is no longer working, then one of the best options is to drop it off at an e-waste recycling center. These companies specialize in breaking down TVs into all their parts and materials and then safely disposing of all the toxic stuff.
Municipal Authorities
If you search online for “free TV recycling near me,” you should also find the municipal waste centers that offer electronic recycling programs. The fees they charge can vary, and some offer free services. But it’s always to call them first to find out if they’ll take your type of old TV.
Manufacturer Take-Back Programs
Most electronics companies these days offer a recycling program where they will take back old TVs for free. In some cases, you’ll even get a credit note towards buying a new device. Check the website of your TV manufacturer and see how their program works. Many also team up with retailers to drop off your TV while you go there to buy a new one
Donation
If your TV is old but still in working order, then bringing it to a GoodWill or Salvation Army store could be a good option. Not everyone can afford the latest technology, and these charities rely on such donations for a lot of their funding.
Selling
And if you’re one of those people who buy a new TV every few years to get the best technology, then try advertising it on eBay, CraigsList, or in a local newspaper. You’ll be surprised how much you can get for a properly working TV.
Where to Recycle Broken TVs?
Here at Green Citizen, we have a dedicated recycling center in the Bay Area.
And here are four ways to have us take care of your old TV.
Drop-off Recycling (For Individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area)
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, then the easiest thing you can do is drop your old TV at our recycling center.
Simply fill out the form and check whether your TV falls into the paid-for or free recycling category and drop it into our office.
Business Recycling Pickup (For Businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area)
Businesses in the Bay Area also have the option of calling us for a collection service. This is particularly convenient
if you have multiple old devices that you need to recycle to free up space for new technology.
Simply fill out the form and list all the paid and free recycling items, and we’ll send you an invoice.
Mail-in Recycling (US-Wide Service)
We also offer a convenient mail-in service for people that don’t live close to our facility or another recycling service.
You can provide us with the details of your TV and then send it to us with your preferred delivery service.
Green Directory (US-Wide Service)
And finally, we have put together the Green Directory for people all across America to have a convenient way to find recycling services. Simply enter your zip code and the type of electronics you want to recycle, and you’ll see a list of the closest options
for fully registered and certified recycling providers.
DISCLOSURE *: GreenCitizen is passionate about making every day Earth Day for the people and businesses we serve. We introduce only those green products and services that we believe can help our customers reduce waste and environmental damage. We participate in Amazon Associates and other affiliate programs that earn us fees when site visitors follow certain links. We’re committed to using all such revenues to increase our efforts toward making every day Earth Day.
