Digital TV Conversion: TV Makers Not Ready for Electronics Recycling

The digital TV conversion occurring on June 12 will result in increased e-waste that requires a proper disposal, according to a report published by Electronics TakeBack Coalition.

 

However, most of the TV manufacturers, including market leader Vizio, have no plans to offer electronics recycling program, says the report, titled “TV Company Recycling Report Card.”

 

“With the upcoming digital TV conversion looming before us, many people don’t know where to take their old TVs,” said Barbara Kyle, national coordinator at Electronics TakeBack Coalition.

 

She added that there are some responsible manufactures and retailers who offer takeback programs, but unfortunately not all – including market leader Vizio.

 

As per a Display Search report, Vizio was the second largest seller of flat panel TVs in the first quarter of 2009, behind Samsung (News - Alert). “Vizio flat out flunks - they’re a top seller of flat panel TVs in the US who has no take back program,” said Kyle.

 

She said that Vizio is seeing tremendous growth even during these economic times. However, they lag far behind their competitors when it comes to taking responsibility for recycling their old products.

 

There are six TV manufacturers who offer takeback programs – Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba (News - Alert). According to the report, these manufacturers have improved their scores on the report card from November 2008, moving up from D’s to C’s or better.

 

In addition to Vizio, the companies that have got F’s on the report card include Funai, Mistubishi, Philips, JVC, Sanyo (News - Alert), and retailer Target.

 

The report informs that Best Buy, a retailer, has introduced a national takeback program in all 1,006 of its stores, which accepts TVs up to 32 inches for a $10 fee. 

 

The report found that the number of collection sites in the voluntary TV take back programs is small, and often just a few in an entire state. However, the report observes that TV companies try harder in states with strong producer responsibility laws than in states with no laws.

 

Kyle said that in order to increase the number of take back programs, states still need to pass strong laws to give companies an incentive to do the right thing.

 

According to the report, new programs that began in January in Washington and Oregon, which have laws mandating convenient e-waste collection, are showing “impressive numbers” of e-waste being collected.