Recyclers expect lots of TVs tossed

[robmadden1]

Marcia Scherocman wasn't sure what to do with two old analog TV sets after buying a flat-panel TV for her kitchen in preparation for Friday's nationwide switch to digital TV.

Then the Montgomery resident read about TV recycling in her city newsletter, and she hauled both sets to 2TRG in Blue Ash.

"I was worried that those things would be sitting in my basement for eternity," said Scherocman, 69.

Scherocman is one of hundreds of area residents who have recycled more than 870 analog TVs since January at 2TRG, 11093 Kenwood Road.

More are expected at a TV drop-off for Hamilton County residents at 2TRG on Saturday, the day after analog broadcasts end on channels 5, 9, 12 and 19. Low-power channels 25 and 38 will cut off analog by next Monday.

Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/ox7fwe

 

[LKellerIII]

Marcia Scherocman wasn't sure what to do with two old analog TV sets after buying a flat-panel TV for her kitchen in preparation for Friday's nationwide switch to digital TV.

Then the Montgomery resident read about TV recycling in her city newsletter, and she hauled both sets to 2TRG in Blue Ash.

"I was worried that those things would be sitting in my basement for eternity," said Scherocman, 69.

Scherocman is one of hundreds of area residents who have recycled more than 870 analog TVs since January at 2TRG, 11093 Kenwood Road.

More are expected at a TV drop-off for Hamilton County residents at 2TRG on Saturday, the day after analog broadcasts end on channels 5, 9, 12 and 19. Low-power channels 25 and 38 will cut off analog by next Monday.

Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/ox7fwe

I live in San Francisco, supposedly one of America's most environmentally conscious and "green" cities. There are about 6 Prius's parked on every block. There are electronic re-cycling campaigns practically every weekend.

Unfortunately, there are still many inconsiderate people who "didn't get the memo," so to speak, or are just pigs and don't care. There has been a huge upsurge in analog TV litter in the streets for months now.

 

[vchimpanzee]

In my area they did this on April 18 (Saturday before Earth Day, they said). It used to just be hazardous waste and then they added electronics. I just had toilet bowl cleaner and store brand Drano. I think you're supposed to take batteris and CFL bulbs, of which I have bought none so far.

I haven't thrown out a TV since 2002. The man said it couldn't be fixed and sent me to the landfill. If I had held on to it longer I could have participated in the hazardous waste event.

 

[LKellerIII]

In my area they did this on April 18 (Saturday before Earth Day, they said). It used to just be hazardous waste and then they added electronics. I just had toilet bowl cleaner and store brand Drano. I think you're supposed to take batteris and CFL bulbs, of which I have bought none so far.

I haven't thrown out a TV since 2002. The man said it couldn't be fixed and sent me to the landfill. If I had held on to it longer I could have participated in the hazardous waste event.

If I may veer off subject a little - most big city dumps now have an area staffed by a small crew that will now take chemical toxic waste and dispose of it properly. I've taken things like old half-used cans of paint, and photo developing chemicals to the dump. At least in San Francisco, it's free, and they keep regular business hours. I'm not sure if they take electronics or not.

 

[vchimpanzee]

In my area they did this on April 18 (Saturday before Earth Day, they said). It used to just be hazardous waste and then they added electronics. I just had toilet bowl cleaner and store brand Drano. I think you're supposed to take batteris and CFL bulbs, of which I have bought none so far.

I haven't thrown out a TV since 2002. The man said it couldn't be fixed and sent me to the landfill. If I had held on to it longer I could have participated in the hazardous waste event.

If I may veer off subject a little - most big city dumps now have an area staffed by a small crew that will now take chemical toxic waste and dispose of it properly. I've taken things like old half-used cans of paint, and photo developing chemicals to the dump. At least in San Francisco, it's free, and they keep regular business hours. I'm not sure if they take electronics or not.

This is a once-a-year thing where I live. I imagine most people can save this stuff for a year. I was just thinking this month would have been a good time.

 

[TheRob]

The primary problem is the cost. The only places around here that recycle televisions charge $40 per set.

 

[LowPayDJ]

Why on earth would anyone pay $40 to dispose of a TV set when you can just throw it in your dumpster? If you already pay for garbage disposal, that should be included.

 

[nd2023]

Why would people dispose a perfectly good analog TV when all it needs is cable service or a subsidized digital converter? At least give them to a homeless shelter. I feel like driving around this weekend and collecting TVs left along the side of the road that people throw out.

 

[jal41]

In some states...it is illegal to send anything with a CRT tube (TV, computer monitor) to a landfill. Recycling is mandatory.

It is up to the person what they want to do. If they do get a new TV, they probably don't have the space to keep the old one around. Personally, when I got my flat screen a couple of years ago, I kept the old tube TV as a spare in case the flat screen broke (which it did...I am glad for extended warranties in this case).

 

[ajc_trw]

Why would people dispose a perfectly good analog TV when all it needs is cable service or a subsidized digital converter? At least give them to a homeless shelter. I feel like driving around this weekend and collecting TVs left along the side of the road that people throw out.

AGREED!

And don't forget DirecTV or Dish Network receiver, VCR or any source conncected to a 3/4 modulator (assuming the TV doesn't have A/V inputs).

The only reason to throw away an old analog TV is if 480i isn't good enough anymore.

 

[kenrayc]

Why would people dispose a perfectly good analog TV when all it needs is cable service or a subsidized digital converter? At least give them to a homeless shelter. I feel like driving around this weekend and collecting TVs left along the side of the road that people throw out.

AGREED!

And don't forget DirecTV or Dish Network receiver, VCR or any source conncected to a 3/4 modulator (assuming the TV doesn't have A/V inputs).

The only reason to throw away an old analog TV is if 480i isn't good enough anymore.

It can also be used just for Play station games as well, freeing up the main TV for TV watching.

 

[nd2023]

I found an old analog TV on the curb tonight. It had dials to change channels and had rabbit ears attached to the top. I picked it up and saved it from the landfill. With a 75 to 300 ohm adapter, it can get some cable channels (below channel 14 and above channel 63). I plan to keep it.

 

[KTN Corp]

My mon's copy of Woman's Day had a cover story about 22 energy savers and under the electronics section it states that the electricity cost for a 60" plasma TV on five hours a day is about $130 a year. Comparatively, the 28" CRT TV only consumes about $30 of electricity a year. Then I turned the page looking for the rest of the article and then I saw pictures for blueberry recipes and all hell broke loose! Yum. (Food appeals to everyone!)

I wonder if those greenies noticed how hot plasma TVs run. How come I never heard a peep protesting the electric consumption of flat widescreen TVs or even the concern about the energy consumed to process CRT waste? More electricity = More carbon emissions!!!--where are you when we really need you? Hopefully they didn't participate in a digital TV conspiracy but it sure looks like a cover-up.

 

[kenrayc]

Well IMO LCD tvs use much less power than Plasma and have a longer life.

 

[landtuna]

Well IMO LCD tvs use much less power than Plasma and have a longer life.

But I'll bet even LCD's can't live as long as my 1979 RCA 25" console or my 1987 45" rear projection. Neither have had any repairs and are still truckin'.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I was mentioning a once-a-year hazardous waste collection where I live.

Becauue there was good music on the government channel in the mountains where I was this week, I found out that the county where I was has a place that collects old TVs and hazardous waste anytime.

 

[kenrayc]

Well IMO LCD tvs use much less power than Plasma and have a longer life.

But I'll bet even LCD's can't live as long as my 1979 RCA 25" console or my 1987 45" rear projection. Neither have had any repairs and are still truckin'.

RCA TV do last a long time my 2 other TVs besides my LG LCD TV are RCA and have lasted about 20 years and my parents RCA has been working for 25 years.

 

[nd2023]

I found yet ANOTHER analog TV on the curb today. Unfortunately, it rained so the TV won't work. At least I got one free TV out of the DTV switch. But it needs a converter box to get all the cable channels.
If your analog TV is working, there is no need to throw it out and buy a digital TV.

 

[alg2468]

Many older TV's work great! I have a Zenith 27" stereo TV and a Philips Magnavox 13" TV both from July 1997 still working very well; and three GE TV's even older (with the General Electric spelled out so they have to be before mid 1988 - after that the TV's had only the GE logo), all with digital tuning and remote: a 9" model (made by Samsung in February 1988), a 25" console (it has RCA parts, says made in Indianapolis at the RCA factory in April 1988), and a 19" Table model (Genuine GE with a General Electric Picture Tube, made in Portsmouth, VA, the original GE TV factory) from June 1987. They all have converter boxes attached now, and have a very clear picture and sound. I don't think there's any way the newer LCD's and plasma TV's will ever last that long.

 

[willcail]

This year's Earth Day I was able to get rid of my broken down LCD TV with an analog tuner. Since at a local park there was an drop off point for old electronics.