Texas Campaign for the Environment: News
MEDIA RELEASE: February 5, 2009
Environmental group sees more recycling opportunities in delay of digital switch
For Immediate Release: February 5, 2009
Contact:
Zac Trahan 713-295-9447
Robin Schneider 512-326-5655
Statement of Texas Campaign for the Environment
Congress has passed legislation to delay the switch to digital television signals until June 12, 2009, which President Obama is soon expected to sign into law. Texas Campaign for the Campaign for the Environment sees the delay in the digital switch as a valuable opportunity to prevent more TVs that are made obsolete by the switch from ending up in landfills in Texas or dumps worldwide.
The delay gives television manufacturers more time to implement national recycling programs for their obsolete TVs. Just last month, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba and Best Buy announced they are expanding their TV recycling programs nationwide, joining Sony, LG, Samsung and Wal-Mart. However, many TV manufacturers have not yet set up national programs to take back their products for recycling. Links to all such e-waste recycling programs are listed at www.texastakeback.com.
Texas lawmakers unanimously passed legislation in 2007 (which took effect September 1, 2008) so that all companies selling computers in Texas must offer consumers free and convenient recycling of old computer equipment. Texas Campaign for the Environment is pressing the Texas Legislature to expand this recycling law to cover televisions during this session, and to have the requirement for TV makers in place soon after the law is signed and the legislative session ends in May. The delay in the switch means that the Texas Legislature won’t be as far behind the curve in passing legislation that requires TV-makers to recycle.
When the DTV switch does arrive, Texans don't necessarily have to toss out or recycle their televisions. Those with cable, satellite or a digital converter box can continue using old-style analog TVs even after the switch. Texans can make sure their TVs won't go blank in June, by visiting www.dtv.gov.
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