Have a dead TV(flat screen) to get rid of, and I want to do the right thing, but it will cost $40 to do so locally. Pulling it apart wouldn't be much of a chore. All the plastic bits would then go into the trash, and all the circuit boards and wires can go to Best Buy for recycling. But what of the LCD screen itself? The concern with E-waste is with heavy metals and other toxic materials leaching into the environment when electronics are tossed into land fills. Any such materials within the screen itself?
What do they do with it for $40? I would gladly pay if it were a confirmed clean (as possible) stream. Here it is free, but no info on where it goes
How old is it? This is one of those things that an RoHS sticker is good for. Usually the worst of an older lcd tv is the mercury in the CCFL backlights, followed by the lead in the solder. AFAIK the screen panel itself is polysilicon laminated with some mild plastics, no heavy metals or sketchy stuff. Most of the plastic cabinets are a type that can be recycled in eastern PA; Blosinski will take that.
Same thing here, except if there's a break in the screen: they they (Return-It) won't accept it. Then it's gotta go to the local "dump", whatever they're calling it this generation 'round, for maybe $15 a pop? They're actually "recycling" quite a bit, not sure how thoroughly though.
Guess I'll try putting the plastic into recycling then. My reading of Ewaste recycling process made it sound like they just burn it, and then recover the metals from the ashes. The screen could have indium tin oxide, but it mostly appears to be harmful only when the dust is inhaled. Already got another CFL to be dropped off at a store for recycling. On a related note, can LEDs be recycled.
