Electronics TakeBack Coalition Grades TV Makers on Recycling
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California 
on 11.18.08
Photo of TVs via Elsie Esq
Just yesterday we half-heartedly gave Sony some props about their new Green Glove television recycling program. Well, turns out the company offers some of the best recycling services around.
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition has released a report card for TV manufacturers and has graded companies on the quality of their recycling programs. The results are pretty depressing, especially considering the push companies are making for people to buy upgraded TVs for the switch to digital.
Read on to see where your TV’s manufacturer landed.
Unfortunately, the quality of a manufacturer’s recycling program is not at the top of a consumer’s must-have list when they’re TV shopping, but it should at least be something to check on before a purchase – after all, you’re likely going to replace that new set at some point in the future.
The report card released by the Electronics TakeBack Coalition will help consumers…sort of…with knowing who to purchase from. The only thing that isn’t helpful is that it eliminates nearly every manufacturer.
No one received an A. Sony ranked highest with a B-. Nearly everyone failed because they have no take back program whatsoever, not even one that is kinda lame. Check out the report card.
If anything, this shows that there is a lot more work to do to get manufacturers to take e-waste responsibility to heart. If they make a product, they must take responsibility for it during its entire lifetime, and help consumers be responsible by offering ways to recycle.
With luck, this report card and the activism of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition will help get manufacturers on the ball with accepting responsibility for what they produce.
At this point in the green movement, it is simply good customer service at minimum.
More on e-Waste Activism:
Sony's Green Glove is Great...But Catchy
What Happens To E-Waste Generated By The Shift To High Definition Television?
Waste Management Pledges Better Recycling Practices
e-Stewards Announces Big News for e-Waste Recyclers
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
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I have not upgraded YET, but one of my old tube TV's went out on me last week. It is currently sitting in the corner of my office waiting to find the correct home for its afterlife. So.... Where is a good place to start researching possible e-waste drop-off locations for responsible dismantling in my hometown? (Kansas City)
Hi Craig -
Thanks for being actively responsible with your recycling! To find a local place for your old TV, try looking up a drop off place with Waste Management. Also, check out e-Steward's list of responsible recyclers: http://www.e-stewards.org/local_estewards.html
If these don't work, you can also check out ZIP express to help make it easier on you...though it does require a fee, and you'll have to check with them about the responsibility of their recyclers: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/ecycle-without-leaving-home-with-zip-express.php
Also, your local area may hold e-waste recycling days. Check with Waste Management, or possibly even your local electronics stores where you're thinking of purchasing your replacement TV.
Hopefully this helps!
- jaymi
Hey Craig,
You could check out Surplus Exchange. Their website is surplusexchange.org.
Or if you're on the Kansas side, look at Scientific Recycling Inc. - scientificrecycling.com
All this info is from the Electronic TakeBack Coalition's website, TakeBackMyTV.com - they've got a great tool that lets you search for responsible recyclers by state.
Jaymi and Sam-
Thanks so much for your help. Surplus Exchange looks to be really close to home.
Now, time to call to make sure that they are using responsible recycling methods. The last thing I want is my TV on a container ship on its way overseas to a toxic landfill. (or have I been watching to much TV already?)
Thanks again-
Craig
Well done to Sony for leading the way... and let's hope the other manufacturers are aiming for an A.