Recycle a Flat Screen TV
With March Madness in full swing and football season just around the corner, you may be considering an upgrade for your TV. Whatever the reason, shopping for a new TV is easy and fun. However, do you know how to recycle your old flat screen tv?
If your TV is still working, you can donate or sell it. Schools, public libraries, and local donation centers can give your TV a second life without contributing to the world’s growing e-waste problem. Selling your TV is also an option. Whether you include it in a yard sale or post it for sale online, it is likely that you could make a little money and extend the life of your TV.
If your TV isn’t working, recycling is the next best option. It is unsafe (and sometimes illegal) to throw old TVs into landfills. Luckily, finding e-waste recycling services is easy.
Why Should You Recycle?
Currently, there are over 347 million metric tons of unrecycled e-waste on Earth. Without recycling, that number will only continue to grow.
The consequences of e-waste are serious. TVs, computers, and phones are not biodegradable, meaning that will continue to accumulate and never go away. They contain hazardous chemicals and heavy metals that contaminate the soil, water, and air. Their pollution contributes to human health problems, climate change, and many other environmental issues.
In addition to the staggering number of risks, throwing away electronics is a waste of natural resources. It is estimated that one ton of e-waste contains 100 times more gold than gold ore of the same size. Think of the impact recycling could have on the need for mining and the impact reduced mining could have on the planet.
How to Recycle a Flat Screen TV
Generally, televisions cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin. Recycling LED and plasma screens is a specialized service that requires specific equipment. Other issues may include the availability of electronics recycling facilities near you, health and safety issues, and the cost of recycling.
The first step will be finding a recycler that accepts flat screen TVs. Some retailers and municipalities charge a fee for TV disposal. Another option would include waiting for an e-recycling event held in your community. Our drop-off locations DO NOT accept TVs.
Best Buy is a good option to consider for TV recycling. There are a few places you could consider donating the TV if it is still in good condition, such as Good Will, ARC, and more.
ShredTronics does not offer TV destruction and recycling at this time, but we can help with other electronics, including hard drives, laptops, cell phones, and tablets. We specialize in assisting customers find secure data destruction options and proper recycling providers near them. Please let us know if there is anything that we can assist you with for your other electronic devices in the meantime.
