Starting February 17, 2009, U.S. TV stations will switch from using analog signals to using digital signals. So the question is what will happen to your old TV when you take on this opportunity to buy a new one (of course, this does not apply to you if you consider purchasing a converter box)? The problem paused by disposing old TVs is not new. Americans have on average 2.6 TVs per household and replace one every 2 years.

If most TVs are donated or join the flourishing used electronic market (2,500 TVs listed on SF Bay Area’s craigs list today), many more end up in the exponentially growing electronics waste. And the amount ending up in landfills is likely to surge as an estimated 70 million TVs will become obsolete past that date. No doubt that some cleaver trade businesses will take on this opportunity to ship a large portion of them to Latin America, Asia and Africa where they will be sold or “recycled”. The recycling of ewastes in developing countries offers a gloomy illustration of an industry that lacks regulation and enforcement when products reach the end of their life cycle and the millions of TVs that will not find a second life will contribute to an environmental nightmare. Here and abroad.

Children in developing countries are your recycling technicians. They do not use any protective gear. They tear apart the TV without proper tools, being unaware that they contain hazardous materials. They are asked to collect any valuable components (usually metals). They usually operate by the closest stream in which they “clean” parts. What is not used is usually pilled up near their homes and eventually burned exposing them and many others to highly toxic substances, compounds and fumes.

A significant number of these TVs will stay here filling up landfills or will be incinerated. TVs manufactured for the US and Canadian markets since the 90s contain 10% to 20% “Deca” a polybrominated diphenyl ethers that a large majority of scientists consider to have a toxic burden on people and the environment throughout its life cycle. PBDEs are persistent and invasive chemical solutions used as flame retardant. They are likely to remain in the environment and bio-accumulate in the food chain.

The Electronic Take Back Coalition supports a path that provides an incentive for TV manufacturers to be part of the solution instead of just creating the problem (Remember Einstein?). “Shifting the costs for managing discarded computers and electronics to brand owners and producers creates a powerful market incentive to improve product design and reduce the use of toxic materials. The policy response to America’s e-waste crisis must protect the public health, the environment, and taxpayers by promoting clean design and the environmentally superior management of discarded products.”

So far, only SONY has agreed to this proposition.

You can do your part by signing the online petition:http://takebackmytv.com/page/speakout/cleanup

And by rewarding the only TV manufacturer that seems to care about us with your purchase.

And by spreading the word!!

A great source about electronic waste

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