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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. Take action.
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.
Filed under: activism, Ecology, Environment, Political Websites, US Politics Tagged: | Environment
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