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Why would anyone go to the trouble of trying to recycle some old, junky TV when they could simply take it to the dump?
Because you can’t “take it to the dump.”
In fact, you can’t even put them in your trash bin or recycling bin – assuming they’re small enough to fit. And that goes for old computer and gaming monitors, as well. You can’t just throw them away in San Diego County or anywhere else in California.
Not legally, anyway.
Which is why Junk King San Diego Downtown specializes in TV recycling.
California Regulates all TV Recycling – San Diego Included
There is no federal law prohibiting the disposal of e-waste, including old TVs and monitors. However, there are currently 25 states and the District of Columbia that have passed some type of e-waste legislation.
And California is one of those states with particularly strict e-waste laws.
As one news source noted,
“In California, it is illegal to throw your old TVs, computers, batteries and more into the trash. E-waste is defined as televisions, computers, laptops, printers, cables, VCRs, cell phones, copiers, fax machines, stereos, and electronic games. If this goes into a landfill, its toxic components go into our water table.”
The article goes on to point out that state law requires that electronics be kept out of landfills and that the state of California has its own e-waste program.
The state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is authorized to develop regulations for the proper management (collection, storage, and recycling) of discarded electronic devices.
In addition, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) administers a payment system for collectors and recyclers to cover the average net costs of recovering and recycling Covered Electronic Waste (CEW).
The Problem with Disposing of Old TVs and Monitors in San Diego
Yes, it’s a problem.
That’s because the really old TVs, the ones before flat screens, are made with something known as a cathode ray tube, or CRT. And this ingenious, but insidious device holds some particularly toxic elements that make it an environmental and health hazard.
Here’s the thing: those older CRT models of TVs and monitors contain various amounts of hazardous materials that are toxic if they end up in landfills. These pre-2000 color and monochrome CRTs were typically manufactured with toxic substances, such as cadmium and phosphorus.
In addition, other toxic wastes found in these old TVs include up to four pounds of lead in the glass, as well as mercury and beryllium. These toxins can seep from landfills and into water sources if disposed of improperly.
That’s because improper disposal can cause breakage of the glass envelope which contains the lead. When this element is exposed into the environment, it poses a very real potential hazard to wildlife and animals.
And along with the other toxic elements in there, another harmful chemical used in making CRT TVs and monitors is barium.
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As one recycling site notes,
“CRT TV’s can only be handled in California by facilities that have been inspected and approved by the Department of Toxic Substances or DTSC. Many approved electronic waste collectors deliver their CRT TV’s to proper hazardous recycling facilities for dismantling.
At these facilities, the TVs are dismantled into their raw components and separated into different groups. The hazardous materials are sent off for further treatment, while the non-hazardous materials are shredded and then sorted for further refining.”
So, what does that mean for the average San Diego homeowner or business owner who wants to dump their old TV or computer monitor? Simply this: you gotta do it legally and follow the process.
For Expert TV Recycling, San Diego has Junk King
Do you have a few old TVs or computer monitors sitting around your house or workplace? You know, those technologically ancient beasts that seem to weigh a hundred pounds and probably don’t even work anymore?
And maybe you have more than a few.
Small businesses are notorious for holding on to old assets, especially computers and other electronic equipment and devices. But the problem with those big, bulky monitors and TVs you used to use to play training tapes on VHS is that they are obsolete now. And they need to go!
But who wants to take the time and effort to do that? You have to lug those things out of whatever dark hole you’ve had them stashed in for the last few years. Or decades. Then you have to figure out where to take them all and how to go about the process, and so on.
And for homeowners and renters, it might even be a situation where you don’t have the necessary muscle power to be loading and unloading these things.
That can be especially true for those huge, luxury sets that could weigh up to several hundred pounds. In fact, the heaviest CRT TV weighed 750 pounds and measured 40 inches, according to an article at Techwalla.
The good news is that you don’t have to do any of this TV recycling work yourself.
A simple call to Junk King San Diego can have one of our professional TV recycling at your home or place of work in short order. In fact, with Junk King handling the TV recycling, San Diego residents can relax and simply point to where those devices are stored.
And you can rest assured that we will transport those TVs and monitors – and any other e-waste items you need to get rid of – to local, certified electronics recyclers. In fact, we make it a point to recycle or donate as much of everything we pick up as possible.
At Junk King San Diego, being green is one of the pillars of our company culture and we endeavor to recycle up to 60 percent or more of what we collect. And that includes old TVs.
When You Need TV Removal and Recycling in San Diego
One of the best things about calling Junk King San Diego for your TV recycling needs is that you can be assured of on-time, professional, and eco-friendly e-waste removal service.
And, of course, we do all the heavy lifting!
This is a good thing for any kind of junk removal, but it is especially great when it comes to TV disposal and recycling in California.
It also means that our experienced rubbish and junk removal team will easily and quickly remove and haul off your junk, waste, and debris, along with any other types of covered electronic waste (CEW) you have to get rid of, as well. (Anything except household hazardous waste, HHW, that is!).
We are proud of the fact that Junk King San Diego is dedicated to delivering outstanding service to our residential neighbors and businesses who live and work in and around Alpine, Bonita, Chula Vista, Dulzura, El Cajon, Jamul, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Ramona, Santee, Spring Valley.
Our professional and insured junk removal team will show up at your property and we’ll call 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive. Once we’re there, we’ll give you a free, no-obligation estimate based on how much space your cardboard box waste and other junk takes up in our truck.
You simply point, and we’ll load your boxes, rubbish, and other junk items and haul them away with no hidden fees!
Just make an appointment by booking online above, or by calling us at 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).
