How to Dispose of TV Sets
Whether you finally acquire that 52-inch flat screen of your dreams or your 19-inch analog black-and-white model finally stops working, you now need to dispose of your old TV. The bad news is that televisions dumped into landfills have the potential to seep dangerous lead, mercury and other chemicals into the soil. The good news is that depending on the reason you are getting rid of your television, there are several options on how to responsibly dispose of it.
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Instructions
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Donate a still-working set. If your TV is still in working order, there is likely someone who would be glad to have it. Charities such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army offer convenient drop-off and pickup service, and they will give you a receipt for your income tax filing.
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Auction or sell your TV. Your success will depend on how modern the set is and how well it works. Sites such as eBay and Craigslist allow you to post pictures and a description (of both pros and cons) of the television, as well as letting you set a price.
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Contact your local government regarding electronics recycling programs. An increasing number of cities and counties are designating days--usually a few times a year--to allow citizens to bring electronic items such as televisions (as well as refrigerators, computers, cell phones and other electronics) to a specified location. The city or county then assumes the responsibility of ecologically recycling the items.
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Send your set back to the manufacturer. In an attempt to be more environmentally friendly, some manufacturers offer programs where they accept used TVs, responsibly reuse some parts and recycle the others.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are planning to use an auction site, remember that TVs are generally very heavy and therefore troublesome to ship. Be sure to specify "only for local pickup" to save both you and the buyer any undue stress or inconvenience.
The Best Buy recycling program have certain conditions, so be sure to contact your local store for details on the specific television you want to return.
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- Photo Credit e-waste5 image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
