In Switching from Analog to Digital TV, Don’t Forget to Save Energy and Recycle

Today, television stations begin broadcasting only digital signals, making analog TV sets obsolete and putting an end to free programming (received through rabbit ears or roof-top antennas). If you are one of the consumers still using an analog set, you have three choices: you can subscribe to a paid TV service (such as cable or satellite), connect your old set to a digital converter box, or trade in your outdated TV for a newer digital model.

No matter which option you choose, the Environmental Protection Agency wants you to keep the environment in mind.

If you opt for a digital converter box, purchase an Energy Star-approved box. If you decide to buy a new TV set, look for the Energy Star label there, too. In addition, you can recycle your old analog TV. Recycling will recover valuable materials from the circuit board, metal wiring, leaded glass and plastics in your TV.

In 2008, Americans disposed of 20 million television sets, according to the EPA, which represents a lost opportunity to conserve natural resources such as copper and iron.

If you want to recycle your old TV, check with your local household hazardous waste collection and recycling program. Many hold regular events to encourage consumers to recycle electronic appliances and devices. To help facilitate the transition from analog to digital televisions, many TV manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba are sponsoring hundreds of recycling centers and events nationwide to make it easy for consumers to recycle their old television sets.

The EPA website provides more detailed information about the digital TV transition and where you can recycle your old TV.

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