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Did you know that there are millions of old cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions tucked away in basements and spare bedrooms across America? According to a survey conducted by the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse (ERCC), in 2015, Americans had around 5 billion pounds worth of CRT TVs in their homes, many of which were either broken, stored away, or otherwise unused. If you are one of the millions of households who still has one of the bulky, box-style TVs in your home, what exactly are you supposed to do with those TVs if you don’t want them taking up space in your attic, basement, garage, or spare bedroom?
Recycling your old TV is becoming increasingly important due to the fact that every TV contains large amounts of toxic substances such as lead, mercury, beryllium and cadmium. Televisions are a type of electronic waste (e-waste), which is the nation´s fastest growing source of toxic waste polluting out landscapes, soils, and watersheds. Unfortunately, recycling those old TVs can be difficult, even when commodities prices are high.
Fortunately for people who live in the North Chicago area, Junk King of North Chicago makes it easy to recycle your old TVs. We are proud to offer the fastest, most affordable, and greenest junk removal in the region.
Why You Should Recycle your old TV
As we mentioned in the introduction, TVs and other types of used electronics are one of the most serious and widespread sources of toxic waste in our environment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that e-waste items are responsible for 70 percent of the toxins found in landfills despite providing only 1 percent of their total volume. Due to the fact that around 66 percent of American households report having unwanted televisions stored in their attics, basements, or guest bedrooms, used television sets are one of the main contributors to this e-waste contamination problem.
One recent report on the dangers of old television sets found that older TV sets that contain bulky and heavy cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain on average 6 pounds of lead. In the past, those lead containing tubes could be easily melted down to make new CRT TVs. Today, however, the vast majority of people are switching to flat screen TV, LED TVs, and smart TVs. Though these types of TVs are significantly more energy efficient, this transition also means that there is no longer a market for recycling old CRT TVs. The resulting lead waste, plus cadmium, mercury, toxic solvents and other chemicals are then often released into the environment when they are sent to the landfill and crushed.
Lead contamination poses an especially serious threat to both human and ecosystem health. When lead leaches into water sources, it can contribute to several serious health problems, including, negative cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension, decreased kidney function, and long-term reproductive problems in both men and women.
Though flat screen TVs, LED monitors, and smart TVs do not contain lead, they do have other chemicals, including hormone disrupters, polyvinyl chloride, brominated flame retardants, neurotoxic mercury, and others. These products also leach toxic chemicals into the surrounding environment when disposed of improperly.
The Challenges to TV Recycling Today
As most consumers have largely abandoned CRT sets for LED and plasma televisions, there is today a very limited demand for the lead-filled glass that characterized those old cathode ray tube TVs. Furthermore, low prices for commodities such as gold, copper, and other heavy metals means that many recycling companies do not find it profitable to strip down those old TV sets or even newer flat screen TVs in order to then recycle the raw materials.
The combination of low demand and low commodity prices has led to an unfortunate increase in illegal dumping practices. In 2015, one supposed recycling company in the state of Kentucky was caught burying hundreds of old TVs and other electronics devices in a 10-foot-deep hole in a field. Because most municipal waste management services will not haul away old TVs, many people resort to simply dumping those used items in abandoned lots or other illegal dumps. This is not only bad news for the environment, but could land you a serious fine if discovered.
Why Hire Junk King of North Chicago for your TV Removal Needs
For individuals, homeowners, and business owners in the North Chicago region, how exactly can you get rid of your old and unused TV sets in a safe, legal, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner?
Junk King of North Chicago is proud to be the top-rated junk removal in the area. We have years of experience helping Chicago-area homeowners and businesses get rid of their used TVs, used electronics, and other types of junk items. Not only do we make it easy for you to get rid of those bulky old TVs taking up space in your home or business, but we also have a proven commitment to ensuring that those old TVs are either donated or properly recycled.
Our junk removal teams have developed strong relationships with thrift stores, donation centers, charities, and recycling companies over the years. This means that we are able to either donate, repurpose, or recycle up to 60 percent of the junk items we pick up. In the specific case of used TVs, we go the extra mile to ensure that every used TV we pick up is kept out of the landfill. We feel privileged to be a part of the North Chicago community, and we do our part to keep Chicago clean and healthy.
A Commitment the Fairest and Most Affordable TV Removal Services
Lastly, we also believe that getting rid of a used TV or any other type of bulky junk items shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. To that end, “fair and transparent” pricing is one of the hallmarks of our company and we even offer your four different ways to get a free estimate:
- On-Site Pricing Estimate: On-site pricing is the best and most accurate way for us to assess the job and offer you the lowest price. Unlike other companies, our on-site pricing estimates are completely free, and come with no-obligation on your part. Our junk removal professionals will inspect the junk you need hauled away and offer you an upfront price. If a price agreed upon, we will often be able to get rid of your junk on the same day.
- Call to Talk with a Trained Customer Service Representative: If you´d prefer to talk with someone before making a decision, you can call us toll-free at 1-888-888-JUNK. Our customer service representatives can offer you a pricing estimate and help you plan the logistics of removing your old TV or other junk items.
- Text us a Photo: Also, you can simply take a photo of your junk and text us at 737-888-5865. We will promptly text you back a transparent price estimate. Once you accept the estimate, all you have to do is wait for the Junk King truck to arrive.
- Online pricing estimator: Lastly, Junk King also offers an easy-to-use online pricing estimator. Simply enter your zip code to ensure that you are in right service area and provide a few more pieces of information regarding the type and size of the junk you need removed. Our pricing estimator allows you to receive a transparent cost estimate based on either the actual items you need hauled away, or the anticipated volume in the Junk King truck you plan on taking up. The online pricing estimator is convenient, reliable, and time saving for those on a tight schedule.
Our company is also fully insured, bonded, and licensed so that you can rest assured that you will never have to deal with unforeseen liabilities during your junk removal service.
No matter what type of junk or excessive trash you need to get rid of, we are here to help you efficiently free up space in your home or business. Give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, text a photo to 1-737-888-5865, or book an appointment online to save $20 on orders totaling more than $99. Junk King continues to offer free, on-site written estimates, which is still the best way for us to give you our lowest pricing possible.
