Getting Rid Of Old Consumer Electronics Products

In the television world, the conversion to digital is doing a few things:

• Confusing people with a rash of acronyms - ATSC, HDCP, LCD vs DLP, PDP, FYI WYSIWYG
• Putting the future, according to 1950's sci-fi comics and films, at our fingertips in terms of on-screen functions, picture performance and screen sizes
• Lining the pockets of already huge electronics conglomerates with record-setting TV sales
• Creating an environmental concern because there are a lot of unused or discarded televisions piling up

For many people, a new television will spark off a series of moves - the old living room TV will replace the former #2 best set, #2 will replace #3 and so on down the line. This could cause one television to be without a room. The unused televison could be an environmental hazard if thrown out by leaking lead or mercury into the soil or water supply.

One solution might be to recycle or reuse it by giving the television to a favorite charity or taking it to your local electronics store to be broken down into raw materials. In the United States, a non-profit group called the Consumer Education Initiative is leading the way in educating consumers about recycling and reuse opportunities for used electronics. To find out programs in your area, visit their website at www.eiae.org.