Group items tagged

America's TV stations will make a historic switch next month from analog to digital signals. But what promises to bring a sharper picture is also raising the curtain on a big environmental unknown across California: What will happen to the millions of old TV sets that no longer work? It's illegal to simply toss the estimated 2 million old TVs - chock-full of hazardous waste - into the garbage. "We're preparing for a tidal wave. We've already seen more televisions being donated and we expect to see more as the switch-over comes," said James David, a spokesman for Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties. On Feb. 17, older analog televisions that receive signals "over the air" from a rooftop antenna or with "rabbit ears" will stop working.

The winter holidays are over, and brittle Christmas trees and empty champagne bottles aren't alone in many consumers' trash heaps. There are also used computers, televisions, cell phones and other gizmos that have been replaced with fancier models. Those piles may be somewhat larger than in recent years, thanks to the imminent U.S. government-mandated changeover from analog to digital television broadcasting. The switch, which is slated for February, has prompted many consumers to flock to retailers for new sets. American households have, on average, about 24 consumer electronics products, according the Consumer Electronics Association. The winter holidays are over, and brittle Christmas trees and empty champagne bottles aren't alone in many consumers' trash heaps. There are also used computers, televisions, cell phones and other gizmos that have been replaced with fancier models. Those piles may be somewhat larger than in recent years, thanks to the imminent U.S. government-mandated changeover from analog to digital television broadcasting. The switch, which is slated for February, has prompted many consumers to flock to retailers for new sets. American households have, on average, about 24 consumer electronics products, according the Consumer Electronics Association.

The government's billion-dollar program to help people prepare for the transition to digital television has run out of money, potentially leaving millions of viewers without coupons to buy converter boxes they need to keep their analog TV sets working after the switch.The government's billion-dollar program to help people prepare for the transition to digital television has run out of money, potentially leaving millions of viewers without coupons to buy converter boxes they need to keep their analog TV sets working after the switch.

Scott County's electronic demanufacturing facility hopes holiday digital TV purchases will translate to analog TVs being recycled. To encourage e-waste recycling, Scott County residents can drop off electronic waste at no charge from now until Feb. 27 at Waste Commission of Scott County, 1048 E. 59th St., Davenport. In 2007, more than 15,000 pounds of e-waste -- anything with a circuit board or cathode ray tube -- was recycled between Thanksgiving and Jan. 4, said Erin Robinson, communications coordinator. Officials anticipate even more as many residents replace analog TVs to coincide with broadcasters' switch to digital broadcasting. However, all e-waste is accepted. Computers, monitors, videocassette recorders, DVD players, stereos, cell phones, cameras, printers and scanners are included. When the waste commission opened its e-waste facility in 2005, 560,000 pounds of materials were recycled. In 2007, the amount of material recycled jumped to 1.1 million pounds. Recycling e-waste saves space at the Scott County landfill and prevents toxic materials from entering it.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, joined Fresno Mayor Alan Autry and a host of other local business leaders to launch its new e-waste shredder - the largest and most efficient shredder of its kind in North America. Mayor Autry cut the ribbon and hit the "on" switch for the ceremonial launch, which took place today at ERI's new 125,440 square foot expansion facility at 3243 S. East Avenue in Fresno.

"According to the Consumer Electronics Association, digital television sales are up over 30 percent compared to this time last year.TV sales are getting a big boost from the mandatory switch to digital TV signals.And while an estimated 76,000 households in Chicago still aren't prepared for the change, come tomorrow, TV's going digital anyway. So what happens to all those old TVs being kicked to the curb? Melville Nickerson is a staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center explains what to do with them." Chicago Public Radio, Eight Forty-Eight, 6/11/09. Podcast.

Make Magazine has some ideas for things to do with your old analog TV.