TV Companies Receive ‘Recycling Report Card’

As the death date of analog televisions draws near, many consumers are concerned about recycling their old sets.

Many individuals and organizations, such as the Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETC), promote the involvement of manufacturers to help with this. The ETC recently graded various TV companies and manufacturers on their take-back programs, to assist consumers in making smart choices when it comes to recycling their outdated sets.

The List

Sony received the highest grade, a “B-”.  The ETC applauded the company for its leadership in being the first TV manufacturer to launch a national take-back program. However, more collection sites throughout the country are needed in order for the program to be convenient for consumers, according to the report.

Sliding in with a “C” are Samsung, LG and Walmart. Other companies such as Panasonic and JVC fell into the “D” and “F” categories.

Nearly all the programs are new, according to the report, and the hope is that they will improve with time.

Tube Troubles

The report cited a lack of transparency as the greatest problem with recyclers:

“We are most disappointed in the lack of transparency about what these programs are actually doing,” according to the ETC site. “Many of our grading criteria have to do with their reporting on where the materials are going, how they are being handled, as a way of evaluating how responsibly they are handling their toxic materials. We believe that companies who are doing this right should be fully transparent about their vendors, their standards, and the ultimate destinations for these materials. When we don’t see full transparency, we have serious concerns that there is a reason for the silence.”

The ETC report card is a reminder of the importantance of checking the credibility of your electronic device recycler.