What you can do with that old analog television

Photo Source: blogs.browardpalmbeach.com

Gone are the analog broadcasts and in their place are their modulated digital equivalents. That doesn't mean a thing for those that are fortunate enough to have a digital television of some sort. But what about our friends, family, and coworkers, that spent countless years loving and living in harmony with that old analog TV set?

Well, if you are part of the group that is financially able, you have probably gone out and bought a digital TV. Let me be the first to congratulate you on your purchase and may digital broadcasts, that are orders of magnitude clearer on that 2008/2009 model TV, bring you many more years of couch potato joy. So you have this sleek, some may argue sexy, new TV. You are part of the in crowd now, but what do you do with that old eye sore of a friend. It would not be fair to simply throw it away. Need I remind you that it got you through those hard times? You know the ones I am talking about.

How about giving it a chance to be reborn as a part of another newer television. I am not implying that you should glue parts of your old analog TV to your new digital one in an attempt to form some sort of abstract art. I am merely suggesting that the honorable thing may be to recycle or eCycle it. Who knows, maybe you will stumble upon the reincarnated form of it someday as a sleek new OLED or LED HDTV.

So how do you go about doing this?

Resource Websites

Lucky for you, there are plenty of manufacturers and facilities that can help you. I've compiled a list below of several places to help you on your search. Some are pulled from the EPA.gov website.

Earth 911 - zip code based search engine that helps you look for recycling facilities for various products.

My Green Electronics - address or zip code search to find environmentally friendly electronics or search for local areas to recycle old ones.

Manufacturer Specific

Sony and Waste Management - Sony partnered with Waste Management to give you plenty of drop off locations for eCycling. The website notes that a mailing option may be available soon. I spoke with a representative and they said that you are limited to dropping off five Sony products per person per a day. Please visit the website or call 1-877-439-2795 option 2 for more information.

LG, Zenith, Goldstar - LG also partnered with Waste Management to allow for easy eCycling. There is an Excel spreadsheet with locations that you can download from the website or you can call 1-877-439-2795 option 3. I spoke with a representative on the LG side and he didn't have information relating to the drop off limit. It would be best to check with your local facility beforehand.

Samsung - Samsung offers a Samsung Recycling Direct program with many drop off locations in the United States.

Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba - These manufacturers partnered with Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM) to give you many places to drop off their branded electronics.

Most of the aforementioned manufacturers are part of the EPA Plug-In to eCycling program. You can visit the EPA website to view information for the following other retailers and manufacturers:

Best Buy
Dell
AT&T
HP
Intel
JVC
Lexmark
Office Depot
Staples
Philips
Wal Mart
Toshiba
NEC
Sprint
T-Mobile
Verizon Wireless
Motorola
Nokia

Click for further details on the EPA Plug-In to eCycling Partners.

Note: Most of the manufacturers listed let you drop off their products for free. Many will accept other manufacturers electronics for a fee.

Whatever route you may choose, I wish your old analog TV set the best. If you simply cannot or are unable to part with that old friend. Make sure to look in to a Digital Converter Box to keep it chugging along for a bit longer.

To get a Digital Converter Box please visit: https://www.dtv2009.gov/

The process is simple and many authorized retailers accept the government $40 off coupon.

For further information: Please visit our SF Gadgets Examiner, Adam Mills,  to find out more about the potential environmental problems and a link to e-Stewards (organization that tells you if the dumping site follows strict standards for properly disposing of your waste).