How to recycle your old TV<\/h2>\n
![\"recycle](\"https:\/\/ecofriend.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/recycle-your-old-TV-2-800x534.jpg\")
With the advent of flat screens, everybody got rid of their old TVs or are getting rid of their old TVS, both smaller flat screens and old CRT TVs. There are millions of CRT TVs stored in people\u2019s homes, basements and garages. The figure might be close to 30 million TVs, just in the US. CRT TVs last for about 20-30 years and they\u2019re also very heavy, as you well know.<\/p>\n
You, along with many others may have found it cumbersome disposing off your TV because of it being so heavy, so it just lies there in the home. And if you\u2019re an environmentally conscious person, you may have wanted to recycle it, but didn\u2019t know how to recycle your old TV.<\/p>\n
Can the old technology be recycled?<\/h2>\n
Recycling old tech like CRT or cathode ray tube TVs is quite possible. This is the part of the old TVs which gave TVs their bulging shape behind. Old TVs have fragile screens too which make them fragile and heavy.<\/p>\n
You (and all of us, for that matter!) should know how to recycle your old TV, as they contain very polluting chemicals. One TV can contain approx 8 pounds lead, with cadmium based phosphorus layer as well as other poisonous heavy metals. Usually, CRTs are not a threat to health, but it\u2019s when they end up in landfills and the toxic substances leak out, that they become dangerous. The toxic substances leak out into the ground, air, and waterways, contaminating them. Circuit boards, copper wiring, plastic, wood are other materials inside these old TVs. Now, it\u2019s possible to recycle large electronics<\/a> like CRTs and old flatscreens.<\/p>\n Disposing of old TVs and other electronics, classified as e-waste is challenging. This is because the\u00a0 recovery of lead (which can be used in car batteries) is expensive. Besides, there is hardly any demand for CRT glass, which finds very little takers for it in the recycle market.<\/p>\n Recycling old tech such older flatscreens with in-built LCDs inside the screens is difficult as they can have up to 20 mercury tubes. Mercury is a highly toxic metal which can cause severe health problems in humans if inhaled and ingested or due to skin contact. LCD flatscreens have to be taken apart carefully, as the mercury tubes might be ruptured.<\/p>\n If you want to dispose of a flat screen TV or CRT, don\u2019t ever put it in the trash. It\u2019s illegal and will also harm the environment.<\/p>\n The only way how to recycle your old TV is to send it to certified vendors who recycle e-waste. You can find them online in sites such as earth911.com. Just drop your old TV\/TVs at these centers, thus disposing them off responsibly.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering how to recycle your old TV, there are some stores and television brands which take back old TVs and electronics and recycle them. Here are a few of them:<\/p>\nChallenges in recycling old\u00a0 TVs<\/h2>\n
![\"recycle-your-old-TV-and-other-electronics\"](\"https:\/\/ecofriend.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/recycle-your-old-TV-and-other-electronics-2-800x532.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSteps to recycle CRT TVs and LCD flatscreens<\/h2>\n
1. Don\u2019t keep it on the curb<\/h3>\n
![\"recycle-your-old-TV-and-other-electronics\"](\"https:\/\/ecofriend.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/recycle-your-old-TV-and-other-electronics-1-800x534.jpg\")
If you put it out on the curb thinking that someone might want it, well, nobody wants CRTs anymore! It will just stay out in all weather, and might be damaged due to rain. This will make disposing of it even more of a problem for you. Besides, it will make your curbside view quite ugly.<\/p>\n2. Don\u2019t put it in trash<\/h3>\n
3. Send it to a certified vendor<\/h3>\n
Stores\/brands which will take back your old television<\/h2>\n
1. Best Buy<\/h2>\n
![\"Sony\"](\"https:\/\/ecofriend.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Sony-800x540.jpg\")
In US, Sony has about 200 stores where you can leave your TV, of any shape and size. Most of the stores accept Sony e-waste for free and accept other brand for a tiny fee. If you\u2019re buying a new TV from Sony, it will collect the old one at the time of delivery if you want.<\/p>\n![\"Toshiba\"](\"https:\/\/ecofriend.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Toshiba-800x575.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n![\"Earth911\"](\"https:\/\/ecofriend.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Earth911.jpg\")
This is a reliable site to find a recycling facility. Most Goodwill stores will accept working TVs only but some will take any set for free. Some might charge $10-$20 to accept a set which no longer works.<\/p>\n