Jim Petuch, Director
Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District
According to the U.S. EPA, Americans own nearly 3 billion electronic products. That’s a lot of stuff which has one essential commonality – they are all terminal. Clock radios, TV sets, and definitely computers malfunction and eventually are unusable, and they need a final resting place which is usually a landfill. The EPA estimates that between 26 – 37 million computers became obsolete in 2005, and 304 million electronics were removed from US households that year with about two-thirds still in working order.
In 2007, 27 million TV sets were discarded and approximately 6.4 million were recovered for reuse/recycling. That leaves a massive amount going in landfills. Traditional TV sets contain a CRT or cathode ray tube which contains lead and other harmful materials. The lead was a necessary component as it prevented radiation from seeping through which is extremely dangerous. TV sets and CRT computer monitors are included in most electronic recycling drives; however, dismantling them is very challenging and labor-intensive. In short, CRT devices are not cost-effective in the recycling arena and thus the need for an acceptance fee at most recycling centers and at community drives. Over half of the CRT products recovered are shipped overseas to outlets that either repair the units for reuse in other countries, or dismantle and remove the components for recycling purposes.
The chart below demonstrates the challenges for recycling CRT devices such as TV sets.
|
End Market
|
Tons/Year
|
% of Total
|
|
Resale “as is” or repaired in the U.S.A.
|
3,000
|
2%
|
|
Resale “as is” or repaired abroad
|
3,500
|
2%
|
|
Refurbished into specialty monitors in U.S.A.
|
2,500
|
1%
|
|
Refurbished into new TVs or monitors abroad
|
107,500
|
61%
|
|
CRT glass made into glass factories in U.S.A.
|
4,000
|
2%
|
|
CRT glass made into glass factories abroad
|
24,000
|
14%
|
|
CRT glass to smelters in North America for lead recovery
|
10,000
|
6%
|
|
Plastic, metal and material recovery from demanufacturing
|
20,500
|
12%
|
|
TOTAL
|
175,000
|
100%
|
Source: U.S. EPA
So what needs done? First, manufacturers should step up to the plate and assume end-of-life responsibility for these products. Some have and are listed on the US EPA website; however, most have not and this causes a challenge for millions of folks who want to be environmentally responsible. Many communities such as Mahoning County, hold e-drives for the acceptance of computers, monitors, printers, TV sets, and related products; however, there are very few recycling processors interested in accepting the materials since the recycling of electronics as a whole is not very profitable. Certainly a processor only accepting computers without the monitors is making a profit, but when the monitors are added, it puts a halt on cost-effectiveness.
So what do we do? Prior to looking for recycling or landfill options for CRT devices, people should determine how workable the item is. Many times a TV set that doesn’t work to the owner’s standards would be greatly appreciated if donated to a needy family that has no set. True, they would need a converter box; however, with coupons these devices are relatively inexpensive. CRT units last many years as evident by the 30-year old TV sets being brought to many e-drives. Even when they don’t work, it is usually something minor and not directly related to the CRT itself, thus it can be repaired at several outlets and then be put back to use.
Best Buy offers an electronics recycling program, and TV sets up to 32” (measured diagonally) are accepted for just $10.00, and a gift card is given to the recycler. TV sets over 32” will require removal and a higher fee; however, it is free if a new TV set is purchased and delivered. In my wishful and always optimistic thinking, I hope that all national stores and outlets that sell electronics and TV sets decide to commence a take-back program similar to Best Buy’s.
Several states have banned TV sets from entering landfills or incinerators, thus they have mandatory reuse/recycling for these potentially harmful items. Lead and other hazardous components are released as the TV sets, along with the rest of the trash, are compacted. In short, TV sets and electronics do not belong in landfills or incinerators.
The dilemma is clear, CRT items are harmful to the environment when not handled or disposed of correctly, and yet cost money to recycle. I know that entrepreneurs are working on developing more cost-effective and efficient ways to handle CRT products, but until that time arrives, we should do the environmentally responsible thing and pay the fee charged by companies or processors in order to keep these items out of landfills and incinerators. It’s a small price to pay in order to protect our precious planet.