Talkin’ Trash About Your Old Television

We live in a throwaway society, and this is particularly true when it comes to technology. If it isn’t the latest and greatest, that must mean it’s time for a new one - whatever it is; cell phones, cameras, PCs, you name it.

The problem with all that technical trash is that they end up in the local landfill, and what’s worse is that many of these devices have lethal amounts of all sorts of chemicals that once in the ground, leach into the ground and find their way into our drinking water. The EPA estimates that the average television contains between 8 and 10 pounds of lead, as well as other hazardous substances such as cadmium.

Televisions are no exception, and starting in February 2009, we’re going to see the number of old-tech televisions hit the landfills like never before. That’s because on February 17^th,. 2009 all television broadcast stations have to stop broadcasting analog signals and begin transmitting digital, high-definition broadcasts.

What that means if you have one of the older, tube-type (CRT or Cathode Ray Tube) televisions is that your TV will no longer work - unless you buy a digital converter box.

Unfortunately, like I said, we live in a “throwaway society” so millions are rushing to the local big box electronics or discount store and flat screen TVs are flying off the shelves.

But before you kick your old tube TV to the curb (literally), here are a few things you should know.

First, your old TV can and will still work, even with the new “DTV” (for Digital TV). If you receive your programming via satellite or cable, you don’t have to do anything; you can continue watching old episodes of “I Love Lucy” uninterrupted.
If you receive your programming over an antenna, whether it be set-top “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna, all you need is an inexpensive digital converter box that converts the digital signal to analog for your older model television. Here in the U.S., the government is offering discount coupons to help offset the cost of the converter boxes. The coupons are worth $40, are free and you can get up to two per household.

Here’s the thing though. Coupons expire after 90 days and supply is limited. Upon request, coupons will be mailed to you by the federal government.

To apply for your converter box coupons go to www.DTV2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). For more information on

3. If you have an “HD Ready” television you will need to purchase a set-top box, but a different type. This type of box is a Digital Tuner; no conversion to analog occurs, it simply adds the ability to tune in the digital broadcast signals.

What if you’re not sure if you’re TV will receive DTV or not. Here are some guidelines from the EPA:

TVs manufactured before 1998: They probably don’t have digital tuners at all. Almost every TV set made before 1998 was a traditional analog set.
Projection TVs manufactured between 1998 and 2004: Only a limited percentage of projection TV sets (and generally only those 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners before 2004.
TVs manufactured since 2004: Your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically. Starting in 2004, many of the TV sets sold at popular electronics stores feature digital tuners that will work after February 17, 2009. But it’s not a sure thing. Even some of the newer TV sets are purely display monitors that lack the internal circuitry needed to pick up digital broadcasts. Usually these sets have been advertised as “HD-ready” or “HDTV monitor” sets. That means they can display digital and high-definition signals, but they need help getting those signals in the first place. You’ll still need a special converter or a cable TV connection.

But what if you’ve decided that it’s time for “Telly” to finally hit the road to make room for that new 1000″ flat panel TV? Should you just unplug it and toss it in the trash? The answer of course is NO!

Here are some things you can do with that old TV so that it doesn’t end up in the landfill:

Donate it to a charity. There are many charities that would be only too glad to get your old TV. Throw in a tuner box to help sweeten the deal.
Put it on CraigsList. Again, there are people out there that can’t afford a new ginormous flat-screen. Price it right and sweeten the deal by offering to throw in a converter box
Earth 911 - Earth 911 has a zip-code based search engine that enables you to look for recycling options in your community for various products. Earth 911 has taken environmental hotlines, web sites and other information sources nationwide, and consolidated them into one network.
My Green Electronics - Provided by the Consumer Electronics Association, this site is a resource for consumers wishing to purchase green products and/or searching for local opportunities to recycle or donate used electronics.
Sony and Waste Management - Sony, an EPA Plug-In To eCycling Partner, has teamed up with Waste Management, Inc. to offer their customers the opportunity to recycle their used Sony electronics for free. Other brands of TVs can also be recycled at selected Waste Management locations for a fee. To find a drop-off location, call 877-439-2795 or go to www.sony.com/recycle.
National Recycling Coalition - With an easy to navigate hyperlinked map, this page provides links to state recycling resources. Many local communities have special collection/recycling days that are highlighted on their Web sites.