Stewardship Tip Jan 20th, 2009 – Digital TV
On February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. As we upgrade our televisions to take advantage of the new technology, we need to find ways to recycle our old sets. And it is not just older, analog sets that need to be recycled, as we upgrade from cathode-ray tube models to LCD and plasma, we need to consider our recycling options. Here are two tips for recycling your old, analog television set.
Thrift stores: We recently donated our old, analog TVs to a local thrift store. They offer them for sale or take them to recycle if they are not salable. Not all thrift stores will accept old TVs, though, make sure to check first.
Find a recycling center: Earth 911 and the Electronic Industries Alliance have comprehensive lists of local recyclers who will accept televisions.
Why it is important to the fish: According to the EPA’s estimates, over 700 million cathode-ray tube (CRT) televisions have been sold since 1980. CRT televisions contain lead (up to 8 percent of their weight). The lead is sealed within the CRT; if the glass is broken, the lead escapes into the surrounding environment. In a landfill, lead from CRTs could leach into the soil and could, eventually, find its way into our streams, lakes and rivers posing a danger to our fish.
The EPA estimates that approximately 20 million TVs will be disposed of this year. They estimate that 25 million will be disposed of in 2010. Used televisions contain reusable components. Help to decrease the amount of lead that we introduce into the environment by recycling your old television set. Our fish are the ultimate beneficiaries.
This week’s sponsor-partner: [PARTNER]
Visit the Ice Team website for articles, audio, video, and power stick tips. The Clam Corporation, Strikemaster Augers, Vexilar, Lindy, and other leading brands in ice fishing make up the Ice Team, one of the headline sponsors of the Recycled Fish “On Ice” tour.
Their partnership makes this week’s “Stewardship Tip” possible
Rising demand for our weekly Stewardship Tip and a new partnership with Fly Cast America now makes the Stewardship Tip available in Spanish. Ahora, reciba el Stewardship Tip en español. Gentileza de Fly Cast America.
To read the weekly Stewardship Tip in Spanish, click here Simplemente haga click aquí si desea recibir el Stewardship tip en Español.
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