Welcome to the Digital Age
The launch of high-definition programming has caused a lot of people to look at their televisions in a whole new way (and not just for what's on the screen). People are buying newer, digital-ready sets. And those with older televisions---they're just stuck, because the problem with older televisions is that nobody wants them. So what can you do with that old set once you're ready for the digital revolution?
Finding a Home for Your Old TV
There are essentially three things you can do with that old TV: give it to a television repair shop, put it in a landfill or bring it to an authorized recycling center.
Television Repair Shops
Some television repair shops will take an older-model TV. You won't get anything for it; they just take it off your hands. Most people are not buying older model televisions, so repair shops just end up bringing them to the dump. It's smart to call around before you go lugging that old set from shop to shop.
The Local Dump
Dumps and landfills are a relatively cost-efficient way to unload that dinosaur. But there are issues associated with bringing your old television to the dump as well. If you're a green-thinking individual, you have to consider the consequences of dumping your television at a landfill. Old televisions, tubes in particular, are chock full of harmful materials, namely lead. If the set is old enough, you could even be putting mercury into the ground.
Manufacturer Recycling Centers
At least one manufacturer is trying to address the problem of what to do with your old television. Sony has partnered with Waste Management, and they've established recycling centers across the country, 75 as of this article. The trouble is, is it worth the gas to drive the thing halfway across the country to get rid of it?
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