We are only a year away now from the federally mandated switch from analog to all digital broadcasting in the United States. As you know, TV viewers who get their signals via "over the air" will be forced to switch to a cable or satellite subscription, pay for a converter box or trash that old TV and buy a new digital one.Many are going tosimply opt for trashing the old set and buying a new one.
And this is where the problem lies. Each of those sets is a toxic mess waiting to happen...with several pounds of lead and mercury...that could contaminate soil and water supplies if they are not properly disposed.
Today there are very few options, other than landfills for these sets.
Congress hasn't been thinking much about this problem after deciding to impose this mandate on consumers. Nor do they seem to care. We have yet to see a serious program offered by legislators that addresses this issue or provides serious funding for recycling programs.
A few companies, like Sony, are trying to start up and expand recycling programs - but unless they move more quickly to reach a majority of the population and make it a relatively easy turn in procedure - most of those old sets are still going to wind up on folks front lawns awaiting Mr. Trashman.
CNN reporter Kate Bolduan takes a more in-depth look at e-waste recycling.
VIDEO FEATURE:
To watch Kate's package on TV recycling: CLICK HERE
2 comments:
Hopefully many people will realize that those old analog sets will still work with their DVD players, VCRs and video games. Still, I would not want to be a trash collector on February 20th!
A television does not have "several pounds" of lead or mercury.
This does not detract from the fact that we are a disposable culture and have been polluting in the process of making our goods, and polluting when we dispose of them.
It didn't take the digital mandate to make people throw out perfectly good TVs.
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