You’re ready to spring for a brand-new television, and now you’re faced with a problem. What do you do with your old flat-screen TV, whether it is based on LED, plasma, or LCD technology?
If it still works, the best option is to pass it along to someone who can use it. But if it is beyond repair, sending that giant TV to the landfill is not a good idea. TV screens and monitors contain chemicals and heavy metals that can contaminate soil and water. Plasma screens may be contain lead and the latest LCD screens still use small amounts of mercury — and lots of plastic encases all but the latest OLED TVs, which contain about 1/12th as much plastic as their predecessors.
Instead, recycling that old television is the right path to take. Let’s take a peek at some avenues for responsibly recycling your television. Read on to find out which option is best for you.