TV recycling up as switch to digital looms

As the switchover to digital television starts to happen across Herefordshire and Worcestershire many residents will have to either upgrade or convert their existing sets to receive a digital signal.

Everyone is being reminded that TV sets no longer needed can be taken to one of the many Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) across both counties to dispose of them. To find your nearest visit the HRC section on this website

Already across Herefordshire and Worcestershire an average of 9,500 television sets are recycled every month and in the last year alone nearly 1,500 tonnes of the old Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs have been taken to HRCs across the two counties.

Richard Woodward, Worcestershire County Council's Waste Services Manager, said: "As the digital switchover comes closer to reality we have seen a large number of the older TVs being brought to the recycling centres by residents. Although many older TVs can be converted to receive a digital signal by the addition of a set-top box, it looks like a lot of people are opting to upgrade to the newer models with the digital receiver built in. Thankfully CRT sets are almost 100% recyclable so, once they have been processed, can be put to good use elsewhere."

The process of recycling a television goes through several stages, firstly, the exterior covering in removed. This is usually made from plastic, though there are still some with wooden casing; the plastic is then graded and chipped.

Next is the removal of audio equipment and the complicated mass of electronics, which consists of cable and wiring, the yoke (made up of several electromagnetic coils used to control the speed and direction of the beam) and circuit boards. Each element is stripped, dissembled and separated according to material type.

The final stage of the process is done in a pressure chamber, which applies negative pressure to extract any gases emitted when the coated glass is removed.

All components separated and sorted and can then be recycled into new television sets and other goods.

For residents considering buying a new television there are a number of options available to for its safe disposal:

• Check to see if the distributor you are buying from offers a 'take back' scheme,
• Donate it to another person / organisation or,
• Take it to any of the sixteen House Recycling Centres within Herefordshire and Worcestershire.