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TV Recycling Challenge
EPA's Plug-In To eCycling program is challenging electronics retailers and television manufacturers to increase collection and responsible recycling of discarded TVs.
As consumers continue to upgrade technologies -- transitioning from analog to digital technology and cathode ray tube (CRT) to flat panel televisions -- they need more convenient and predictable opportunities to safely manage their old TVs. Recycling TVs helps to conserve natural resources and reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants related to extraction and processing of virgin materials.
In 2007, Americans had accumulated 99 million TVs in storage and discarded nearly 27 million TVs. Of the TVs discarded, approximately 18 percent were recycled. Between 2004 and 2007, the number of TVs that entered the waste stream increased by 14 percent.
Despite progress in the past few years in recovery of used electronics, there are still relatively few consistent and convenient outlets for consumers to recycle old TVs. State and local governments, already aware of the need to better manage these materials, are providing more opportunities to recycle televisions, either by legislation or encouraging voluntary recovery programs.
What is the National TV Recycling Challenge?
To encourage electronics retailers and TV manufacturers to help support TV recycling opportunities, EPA has issued a National TV Recycling Challenge. The goal of the Challenge is to stimulate innovation and partnerships to increase TV recycling in 2009 and beyond.
The Challenge is open to any retailer or TV manufacturer that commits to using recyclers that meet or exceed EPA’s Guidelines on Environmentally Sound Management of Electronic Equipment. The Challenge period extends from January 1, 2009 – August 31, 2009.
At the end of the Challenge, participants are invited to submit applications describing their TV collection and recycling program. EPA will evaluate the entries based on criteria that include:
- Innovation: For example, the innovation can be in bringing together partners who have not cooperated previously and/or creating unique mechanisms for engaging consumers in TV recycling.
- Longevity: The likelihood that the program will succeed in attracting consumers and providing an ongoing means to consumers to recycling their unwanted TVs past the Challenge period.
- Consumer Outreach & Education: The extent to which the program informs consumers of recycling opportunities, motivates them to recycle, and communicates the environmental benefits of recycling.
- Recycling Opportunities: The national reach of the program, its accessibility, and levels of consumer participation.
- Total Pounds of Televisions Collected within the United States as a result of the program.
- Responsible Recycling Practices: The partners’ ability to ensure that their recyclers follow safe recycling practices and have met the EPA export requirements for both the reuse and recycling of CRTs. EPA would like to see programs aspire to meet the Responsible Recycling Practices.
EPA will recognize the Challenge winner in the fall of 2009.
Who is Participating?
Several industry leaders, including Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba (through the recycling consortium, the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company) have already accepted the Challenge and are expanding their current recycling opportunities.
- Samsung
offers more than 170 locations throughout the
US where consumers can drop off their Samsung
TVs at no cost (other brands are accepted for
a fee). - Sony
provides consumers 274 nationwide locations with
free recycling service for all Sony branded TVs
and fee-based recycling of other brands.
-
Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba
have developed a recycling network of 280 locations
to collect their branded TVs for free recycling.
"Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba are pleased to join this EPA-led initiative to increase the collection and recycling of used TVs. Our efforts will be focused on a collaborative effort to offer convenient and environmentally sound recycling to American consumers. We are hopeful that the TV Recycling Challenge will both increase manufacturer involvement and the recycling of old TVs." -David Thompson, Director, Corporate Environmental Department, Panasonic
"Sony is participating because we believe in a shared responsibility approach to recycling - particularly as consumers’ transition from cathode-ray-tube televisions to flat panels. As a company, we are committed to doing our part to help redirect reusable resources from the waste stream and back into products through our Take Back recycling program. We invite all who make, distribute, use and dispose of televisions to join us in this challenge to help reduce the environmental impacts of these products and all unwanted electronics." -Mark Small, VP Environmental Affairs, Sony Electronics
EPA enthusiastically greets the early response
from these industry leaders, and is looking to other
electronics retailers and manufacturers to take
up the Challenge as well.
If you are a retailer or TV manufacturer interested in learning more about the Challenge and how to participate, please contact Jenny Stephenson (Stephenson.Jenny@epa.gov).
