How do I recycle my old television set?

Are you trying to recycle an old television in Orland Park, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Tinley Park, Chicago or any of the surrounding suburbs? Do you have an old analog color or black & white television you don’t use anymore? A wood grain set from the 70’s and 80’s or perhaps just a black set from the 90’s or 00’s. If you upgraded to a digital television on June 19, 2009, chances are you have an old TV lying around taking up space. Not sure what to do with it? Please don’t throw out that television set, there are plenty of places in Chicago and the suburbs that can help you recycle that TV.

Recycle your television with local resources.

If you are trying to recycle an old television in Orland Park, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Tinley Park, Chicago or any of the surrounding suburbs, I have a unique solution that will save you a trip to the recycling center. It involves a hobby I share with a small group of collectors around the country. I collect video arcade games. Full size, coin operated type arcade games from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Because I’m always looking to buy, sell, or trade video games in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, I end up with a lot of games that need repair work. Video games use cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and at times these need to be replaced. Old 19” color or black and white televisions are a good source of replacement CRTs. If you offer your old TV to a video game collector you will be helping them keep a classic arcade machine, like Pac-Man, Galaga or Donkey Kong, running smoothly and will also keep that television out of the landfill. A collector will disassemble that old TV, pull out the monitor and all the remaining plastic parts will be recycled properly. We do it all the time.

How do I find someone that wants my TV?

If you don’t already know someone that collects arcade games, you can email me through my contact page and I will help you find someone. If you are trying to recycle a television in the Chicago IL area or any of the surrounding suburbs like Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Alsip, Berwyn, Cicero, Bensenville, etc, I would be happy to come and pick it up personally. Remember that most video games use 19 inch monitors, so those big 27”, 32” and 37” monitors will be harder to utilize, but not impossible. You could also post a free ad on websites like Craigslist or Freecycle. Mention “old TV for arcade game repair” and someone will happily take it off your hands. You might also contact your local municipality and find out what recycling programs they have. Many have events or special collection days for various electronic items. If they don’t have a program they can probably suggest a local recycling center or will put you in touch with the company handling waste disposal in your area. They should be able to offer suggestions on the best way to recycle your old TV.

Why shouldn’t I just bring it to the recycling center in town?

You can bring it to the local recycling, of course. That’s much better than dumping it at the curb where it will end up in the land fill. I encourage you to recycle your television, no matter how you do it. Just be aware that new laws in many states have forced recyclers to charge a fee for each monitor and television you bring in to recycle. Instead of paying the fee, and spending money on gas, why not contact me first and I’ll see if I can help find your TV a good home. If I can’t get the set personally, I can certainly try to find someone in your area that would be happy to come and pick it up from you.

Give the television to an arcade collector, take out a free ad, or drop it at the recycling center. Do whatever you can to recycle that television and keep it out of the landfill.