TV Reusing and Recycling

On February 17, 2009, TV stations will only broadcast in digital. Reception will only affect those who watch free over-the-air TV using a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears." If you are in this situation, you don't have to get rid of your TV. Converter boxes are available that will convert the digital signal into analog. Since this is another piece of electronics, it will help to purchase an Energy Star rated one. Energy Star rated products use less energy than other products of the same type. See www.energystar.gov/products.

More info about the switch to digital is at www.dtv.gov.

Many people are using this switch to digital as an opportunity to purchase a new TV. But, what to do with the old one? If you can't use it somewhere else in your home (ie. hook up a DVD player to it for the exercise room or use it for your game system), recycle it. TVs have many toxic substances in them that will hurt our air, soil and water. But when you recycle them, the toxic substances are harnessed and the components are put to good use.

Check out these recycling sites recommended by the FCC:
Earth 911 - www.earth911.com/electronics
National Recycling Coalition - www.nrc-recycle.org/localresources.aspx
My Green Electronics - www.mygreenelectronics.org

Closer to home, Fairfax County has Household Hazardous Waste collection events throughout the year. They'll not only take TVs, but also computers (which have toxic substances in them too). See http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/calendar.htm for dates and locations.

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E-Waste Nightmare

Our country is making the digital TV transition. This means that there will be millions of TVs thrown away and all of their toxic materials released into our air and ground. But this doesn't have to happen. All of us can recycle our TVs and you can urge the government to do more to inform everyone about it.

Here's a link for you to take action:www.coopamerica.org/takeaction/fcc/

Fairfax County also has a web site with info on recycling your electronics: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/mat-comp.htm

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