How to Get Rid of Old TV?
The secret to deciding whether to get rid of your TV is based on a variety of factors, but once you understand the technology involved, it’s rather simple – as are the options for giving it new life, recycling it, or consigning it to the past.
When Should I Dispose of My TV?
It was all about the tech you have when it comes to TVs. CRT TVs – the boxy ones that are as deep as they are broad or tall – are long gone, and in the 2020s, they will most certainly be a fire hazard. Assuming you now have a plasma TV – one of the first “modern” HD sets – you should get rid of it out of principle, given how horrible it is for household electric bills; that is if the screen hasn’t already burned permanent hues into it.
LED televisions are becoming the industry standard. It will last between five and seven years with its backlight set to full brightness; top-end versions may last a few years longer with average use.
However, if you believe yours is on its way out, there are four critical factors to watch out for:
- Dead pixels
- Line of bars
- A fuzzy or fading screen
- Distorted colours
Dead Pixels
There’s nothing quite like a dead pixel on your screen to ruin your viewing experience: an immovable, unfixable black dot on everything you watch, ruining every gorgeous broad, colourful vision. Not only is it tough to repair, but the amount of dead pixels is likely to increase once you have your first.
Line of Bars
Horizontal bar difficulties are frequently caused by magnetism and are simple to fix, but they’re often not worth the money to fix if your TV is getting old.
A Fuzzy or Fading Screen
Certain TVs might lose not just their brightness but also their definition, turning HD into SD or producing a patchy image. While it can be fixed, the cost of doing so, unless it’s near-new, may not be worth it.
Distorted Colours
This isn’t something you’ll notice right away – it’s a long-term problem – but it’s particularly noticeable while viewing something with extremely distinct colour schemes, such as sports. While it may be repairable, it’s also an indication that your television’s capabilities are deteriorating.
How to Get Rid of an Old TV?
It’s more difficult to get rid of an unwanted television than simply throwing it out with your weekly trash as household waste. Even if you can dispose of television with your usual trash collection, consider if the convenience is worth the environmental impact of electronic waste (often known as “e-waste”) accumulating in landfills.
You can try any of the following methods.
- Donate Your TV
- Sell it or give your TV away for free
- Have the retailer recycle your old TV
- Have the manufacturer recycle your old TV
- Take your TV to an e-waste recycling facility
- Bring Your Old TV to an electronics disposal day in your community
Donate Your TV
If your TV is still functional, consider giving it. Different thrift stores and charities have different policies, so check their donation criteria to determine if they accept televisions in your region.
Sell It or Give Your TV Away for Free
To let others know that your working TV is for sale or up for grabs, use social media, your neighborhood’s buy-nothing Facebook group, Facebook marketplace, a mass email to local family and friends, or the other technique of your choice. Make things as simple as possible for you by asking the buyer/recipient to scoop up the television at your home (or wherever is most convenient for you).
Have the Retailer Recycle Your Old TV
Depending on where you bought your new TV, you may be able to recycle your old one at the store. Check with the shop for more information, such as whether the recycling service includes the removal of the old one.
Have the Manufacturer Recycle Your Old TV
Manufacturers of televisions may provide recycling services in some situations. You can find out if the company that built your TV does by looking up their policies directly or using the Environmental Protection Agency’s table.
Take Your Tv to an e-waste Recycling Facility
A fast web search about recycling tips and also for electronics disposal guidelines in your area should lead you to a local waste recycling facility where you can recycle your TVs and other old devices.
Bring Your Old Tv to an Electronics Disposal Day in Your Community
If your municipality lacks an e-waste facility, there may be designated days (usually a few per year) when citizens can drop off electronic devices (including televisions) for recycling at a local fire or police station or other community organisations. You can always check to see if nearby areas have e-waste recycling days, and if so, whether non-residents are allowed to participate.
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