Going Digital: Recycling your old TV

Going Digital: Recycling your old TV

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Story Published: Feb 15, 2008 at 7:30 PM PDT

Story Updated: Feb 15, 2008 at 8:15 PM PDT

By Shellie Bailey-Shah and KATU Web Staff

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This is the fifth installment in a series of reports by KATU Problem Solver Shellie Bailey-Shah aimed at helping you understand the upcoming transition to digital television in February, 2009. 

PORTLAND, Ore. - With the digital switch, many people may decide to go out and buy a new TV but what do you do with your old one if you don't plan on giving it away?

Some people may throw them out. That could mean a whole lot of sets in our landfills, a situation the State of Oregon is hoping to prevent.  The Department of Environmental Quality has a new plan in the works to keep old TVs from ending up in the dump. 

Local recyclers are also expecting to see an increase in the number of TVs being dropped off at their sites.  At Bear E-cycling, you can expect to pay a dollar per screen inch for TVs.  They also collect computers and computer monitors.   

The DEQ is in the process of designating several recycling sites across the state to do the same thing, for no charge. 

"The benefit to consumers is that they'll be able to get it into a recycling stream, it'll be handled environmentally and it will be free to them," said Marcia Danab with DEQ. 
 
The best part is that manufacturers will foot the bill. 

"They will be paying a portion into the system based on how much they sell," according to Danab.

Retailers will play a part too.  They'll be required to inform buyers of the new e-waste drop-off sites, and they'll only be allowed to sell electronics from manufacturers who have registered with the state. 

The program doesn't go online until January of next year. Until then, you can head over to Bear E-cycling, and places like it, to get rid of your old TVs and electronics.

Washington is developing a similar program as well.  It also starts in January of 2009.

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