I see it all the time. Well-intentioned folks leave their television on the curbside with a sign, ‘Works’, or something to that effect. The problem is, there are inconsiderate scavengers that will destroy the TV for the wires and circuit board inside. Essentially that will leave you with a broken television on your curb. But that is not the biggest problem. The mess they leave behind is not JUST a mess. It’s a mess full of poisons and harmful toxins. The CRT television and computer monitors have lead, mercury, beryllium, and cadmium. These toxins seep into the soil and eventually, our water supply.
“There are millions of old CRT televisions tucked away in basements and spare bedrooms across America. In 2015, Americans had around 5 billion pounds worth of CRT TVs in their homes, according to a survey from the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse (ERCC), a pro-recycling nonprofit organization.” -KEITH WAGSTAFF of NBC NEWS
Very few old electronics are desirable. In my opinion (hence Windsor E Recycling’s philosophy), it is better to recycle electronics down to the raw materials so they can be used in new products. Do you want a near-end-of-life TV or computer? I certainly don’t. As a business owner, I need the latest and greatest, or at least some up-to-date tools to compete in my industry.
As a reminder, we do not recycle CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) television or monitors. For more information on CRT disposal, visit the EPA’s website.