If you've recently upgraded your television and now you have an old TV to get rid of, what do you do? There is a right way for old TV disposal. 

 Televisions have been with us since the 1940s and they have always presented a challenge when it came time to dispose of the old TV after bringing home the new one. Some of us remember the massive television cabinets that took up half a wall in the living room. Talk about a challenge!

Then the trend was towards smaller, more portable units. When these died or were replaced, it seemed an easy thing to simply toss them into the garbage can and be done with it. But those heavy CRT units held untold dangers in the form of toxins and possible injury if they imploded.

By the 1980s we had to deal with old computer monitors that were little more than specialized CRT units. Many of the same problems existed when it came to disposal and health concerns. 

You Can't Simply Toss Your Old TV

The toxic materials that were used in the old televisions presented a health and environmental concern that became a crisis of sorts by the end of the 20th century. Part of the problem in the United States was that so many people owned televisions. By 2001 there were an estimated 25 million homes with at least one television. And we were replacing and upgrading them by the hundreds of thousands every month.

And many of these old TV sets ended up in landfills and dumps. But this was a real problem. According to Wikipedia:

Older color and monochrome CRTs may contain toxic substances, such as cadmium, in the phosphors. The rear glass tube of modern CRTs may be made from leaded glass, which represent an environmental hazard if disposed of improperly.

So the government had to step in and regulate the process and create proper channels for old TV disposal:

In October 2001, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created rules stating that CRTs must be brought to special recycling facilities. In November 2002, the EPA began fining companies that disposed of CRTs through landfills or incineration.

Newer TV Technology is Still a Disposal Challenge

Part of the problem with getting rid of an old "new" television - the flat screen type - is the sheer bulk and size. Although they do not contain some of the toxic substances of CRTs, such as cadmium and lead, they still have their share of toxins. But even flat screen old TV disposal can be problematic.

Giving them back to the manufacturer or retailer is a common method. BrightHub.com noted,

Most major brands and retailers have take back programs and will allow you to send their products to them for free, even if they no longer work. If your television set does not offer a take back incentive, you can also contact Best Buy or Staples. Both of these retailers offer a comprehensive collection program that can assist you when you need to recycle flat screen TV.

Recycling, of course, is always the best option for old televisions that do not work. Another efficient and far more convenient channel for your old TV disposal needs - whether we're talking about old computer monitors, old CRT televisions, or large flat screen units  - is to call a reputable junk hauling firm.

Old TVs and Other E-Waste Means Recycling: A Great Solution

Televisions fall under the category of e-waste, or electronic waste, and there are a few issues to consider with e-waste junk disposal. Because of the number of laws and regulations, especially in states such as California, many items such as monitors, TVs, and even cell phones cannot be simply tossed in the trash.

What's more, when you want to properly dispose of a computer monitor - particularly any old CRT devices you still have around - the process takes time, effort and money. The sheer volume of electronics that are disposed of each year in the United States is overwhelming. For example, almost 1.3 million cell phones are replaced every year! 

The good news is you don't have to handle any of the recycling chore yourself. By simply call a reliable junk hauling and recycling vendor, you can have your old TV disposed of quickly and painlessly. And you can be assured that it will be processed and recycled properly.

Junk King provides an efficient, safe and eco-friendly e-waste removal service so you don’t need to worry about the pick up or disposal of those old items. Not only that, but we make sure that your old electronics end up in the right place: whether it be a charity if the electronics are still functioning, or a recycling facility to ensure your e-waste is disposed of in an eco-friendly way.

If fact we remove almost all types of e-waste, including: