Co-op America: Tell the FCC to Stop an E-Waste Nightmare

The FCC has mandated that all television broadcasters switch to digital in February 2009. As a result, millions of old televisions will no longer be able to receive broadcasts unless a convertor box is installed. Millions of people will likely discard their old televisions to upgrade to newer, digital models. These old televisions will mostly end up in landfills and many will be sent oversees where workers will be paid low wages and exposed to hazardous wastes as they dismantle them. Since a cathode ray tube television can contain eight pounds of lead, as well as mercury, PVCs, and hundreds of other toxic chemicals, the FCC needs to ensure that every television is recycled in a way that protects the public and the environment.

Television manufacturers also have an enormous responsibility in making sure that old televisions are recycled correctly. These manufacturers sold these toxic TVs to consumers and now stand to make billions of dollars selling new, digital TVs to the same consumers. Clearly, these manufacturers need to take back old TVs for free, and need to ensure that the TVs they take back are recycled in a way that won’t release toxins into the soil, water and air. So far, only Sony has established a takeback program for its electronics; the other manufacturers need to follow Sony’s lead.

Please send the following email to the FCC telling them to address the e-waste nightmare they’ve created by creating recycling programs nationwide and getting manufacturers to take back their old TVs and other electronics. Then, please join Co-op America’s ally Electronics Takeback Coalition in calling on all television manufacturers to take back old TVs.

Subject: Tell the FCC to Solve an E-Waste Nightmare

Dear Chairman Martin:

I am deeply concerned that the transition to digital television broadcasting in 2009 will become an electronic waste nightmare, and I am writing to urge you to act. When analog broadcasting stops, the 20 million American households who rely on over-the-air signals will be faced with purchasing a set-top converter box or a new digital TV set, and millions of televisions will likely be discarded. A cathode-ray tube television monitor can contain 8 pounds of lead, in addition to hundreds of other highly toxic chemicals, including mercury, brominated-flame retardants, and PVC plastics. Since less than 15 percent of the 2.63 million tons of e-waste in the US is recycled, the DTV transition threatens to put these harmful chemicals into our air, soil, and water. The resources on the FCC’s website devoted to digital television recycling (at DTV.gov) clearly demonstrate the need for the FCC to do more. Your website directs people to the MyGreenElectronics website, an industry-sponsored website that offers consumers, few if any resources for free TV recycling, with no guarantees that toxics will be kept out of our land, water, and air. The FCC inadvertently set this e-waste nightmare into motion. It is imperative that the FCC require manufacturers—who stand to make millions from the transition—to take back TV sets made obsolete by the DTV transition. Sony is taking back its electronics for recycling—the others can as well. It is also crucial that the FCC launch a program to educate consumers about the importance of recycling electronics, while working with local governments to help set up electronics recycling drop-offs as the DTV transition nears. Thank you for taking this matter seriously.

Yours sincerely,
Your Name
Your City and State

The views and opinions of expressed in postings above do not necessarily state or reflect those of Co-op America. We ask participants to keep their comments respectful in tone.