Do you need to recycle old TVs and how does it happen?

Economically developed and developing countries are increasingly resorting to the disposal or recycling of household appliances. This process allows the reuse of valuable components and reduces the negative impact on the environment. In this article, we will consider how the TV recycling process takes place, what recycling is, and why it is needed.

Simply put, recycling is the process of recycling old equipment to obtain valuable components, spare parts and metals. Disposal of TVs involves a multi-step process, which usually includes several stages:

• sorting devices by type;
• removing boards and microcircuits from the case;
• disassembly of boards into components;
• freeing the glass from the picture tube;
• removing valuable metal parts from boards and other components of the TV;
• sorting and preparation of metal, as well as plastic (from the body) for further processing.

Recycling has two functions at once.

• Allows you to safely obtain valuable metals and materials. Converts unnecessary and broken technical waste into elements suitable for further processing and the creation of new equipment.
• Neutralizes the negative impact of harmful elements in TV sets on the environment and human health.

Since 1998, a special law "On production and consumption waste" has been in effect in Russia, which prohibits the disposal of household appliances of any kind in general waste dumps. According to this law all electronic devices must undergo mandatory recycling by specialized companies and then be used as secondary raw materials. Such waste also cannot be disposed of in regular containers or sent to standard waste disposal sites.

The fact is that every television set, whether it is an old Soviet model or new LCD TVs, contains a large number of elements that are harmful and even dangerous to nature and human life... Most of these elements are found in picture tubes (strontium, barium), metal parts of televisions, device cases (plastic releases chlorine, dioxides, hydrocarbons during combustion) and display (mercury). The TVs also contain useful elements - including valuable metal alloys and non-ferrous metals (sometimes even silver and gold), which can serve to create new technology.

Some of the elements described may not only adversely affect human health, but also lead to the development of cancer. Below we will briefly describe the negative impact of the materials that are most often used in the creation of televisions.

• Barium. A dangerous element that can lead to muscle cramps and has an effect on smooth muscles.
• Natural strontium. The substance, which oxidizes when combined with air, on contact with mucous membranes can cause severe burns and lung disease.
• Lead. Excessive amounts can cause anemia, kidney failure and wasting.
• Mercury. Mercury vapor, which is found in small amounts (up to 3.5 mg) in LCD TV displays, can be considered the most toxic among other elements. Unlike other substances, mercury negatively affects absolutely all internal organs of a person and often leads to serious diseases with a fatal outcome.
• Chlorine. This material is released in excess during the combustion of plastic - the latter is usually used in the construction of the case for televisions. Chlorine is especially dangerous for people with allergies. And also when it hits the ground along with precipitation, it negatively affects the soil.
• Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, aliphatic hydrocarbons - all these elements are formed when plastic burns and, if inhaled by a person, can even lead to his death.

The recycling process itself is usually carried out at special landfills for solid waste (landfills for solid household waste). Each element is individually sorted and processed.

• Heavy metal parts are separated from the bulk by vibration. After that, all metal products go under the press. The resulting metal is transferred to a metallurgical plant, where it is separated by separation and remelted.
• Plastic products. All plastic parts of the TV (usually the case) are packed in special bags and also sent to recycling plants. Already on site, they are washed, dried, melted or granulated. In the future, the resulting recyclable materials are sent to factories that manufacture plastic products.
• Materials that cannot be classified are sent to a crushing machine, where they are further crushed to crumbs. Then the resulting waste is fed to a vibrating table, where it is passed in parallel through a magnetic shaft to find ferrous metals.
• If precious metals come across in the process of vibration, then they are treated separately - with solvents and special acids.
• All glass (from the picture tube) is crushed and packed in bags. In this form, it is supplied to processing plants. There, the crumb is once again passed through a magnet, sorted and sold to glass factories. Recyclable materials during processing are supplemented with sand and enters the glass blowing machine to create new products.
• In the process of processing, all hazardous elements are sorted and delivered to special companies, which must neutralize the effect of hazardous substances and bury them in special landfills.

The described recycling method allows you to recycle up to 90% of the materials used in the creation of standard televisions. In some countries, more than 80% of old equipment is subject to such disposal and further recycling.

If you have an old TV in your apartment that needs to be disposed of, you should think carefully before taking it to a regular landfill. As a result, you run the risk of not only polluting nature, but also getting a considerable fine. If you are wondering where to put your old (working or non-working) TV set, then there are only two main directions - you either sell or give it away for free to those who need it more than you.

Everyone wants to get the most out of what they have, and therefore many are trying to sell the old TV. There are quite a few niches for the sale of such a product, but most often you cannot help out a lot of money here.

In every city today there are special commission shops where, for a small fee, they accept equipment without visible defects and damage. This way of selling has its drawbacks:

• most likely, you will be required to have all the documentation on the technique and a complete set of accessories and wires necessary to use the device;
• commission agents often set certain deadlines for different types of equipment, after which they simply do not accept the device;
• sometimes such stores do not give money for the equipment immediately, but only after it has been sold.

Unfortunately, such workshops are becoming less and less today, and those that remain are willing to pay only for certain and not out of order parts. Again, you won't get a lot of money for them, but it's clearly better than nothing.

If your TV is old but still working properly, you can try to sell it through an ad. Today there are a huge number of Internet services and forums where people buy and sell used goods and household appliances. Among the most popular services are Avito or the Yula mobile application.

Before you get rid of your old TV, it's worth finding out if it is of historical value. For example, some models of Soviet TVs were made in a limited edition, and therefore may be of interest to collectors in your city. For some vintage and unique models, you can help out a round sum.

This is not the best way to sell a TV in terms of revenue. You will be required to have a model in perfect condition, but the offered price for it will be very low. Today, pawnshops do not particularly like to accept old TVs; LCD and LED models are in the greatest demand.

Some companies hold such promotions to distribute their products. At the same time, you will not receive clean money, but you can exchange your old TV for a new one. From the point of view of benefits, such a solution is not very practical, and the proposed new TV models are not of high quality.

The fact is that every TV set is about 40% composed of metals and alloys, some of which can be extremely valuable. It will not be possible to extract these metals on their own, however, individual companies are ready to take on this function.

Old TVs that work well can simply be given away to those who need them more than you. Unfortunately, you will not receive money for such a TV, in contrast to the huge gratitude of those to whom you give it... The category of people who can be delighted with your gift include orphans, old people and disabled people.

For information on how old TVs are disposed of, see below.