Anyone with a working TV set has likely seen the ubiquitous ads educating the public about the Feb. 17 switch to all-digital broadcasting. But millions of Americans still aren’t prepared and could miss out on important news and emergency broadcasts—a fact that has led President-elect Barack Obama to urge a delay in the transition.
Such a delay could be a perfect opportunity for manufacturers to improve their recycling programs, say activists from the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. The ETBC recently put together a report card ranking the major TV companies on their take-back policies. Highest-ranked Sony got a B- for leading the pack with the first national take-back program, but more than half of the 17 companies got failing grades for having no programs in place at all.
This week, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, ETBC has been calling attention to the lack of take-back programs—and the electronic waste that will be created when a "tsunami" of analog TVs hit the landfill—with a cadre of TV zombies (see video below). [Note to ETBC: Didn’t you get the memo about vampires being the undead of the hour?]
In related e-waste news, Greenpeace has released a new report on green gadgets. Their second annual survey of eco-friendly products from 15 major electronics brands indicates movement in the greenward direction—with fewer products containing PVC plastic and other harmful chemicals, more energy-efficient LED displays in use, and more post-consumer recycled plastic in TVs and monitors.
But don’t let that news spur any shopping sprees ... the greenest gadgets are the ones you already have.
Ask Umbra on trash, toxics, and tots
Comments
View as Flat
JMG Posted 5:13 pm
09 Jan 2009
I guarantee that when the grid fries and blacks out several or many states one hot summer soon, the talking hairballs on TV are all going to go "Why didn't anyone warn Americans that amping up on big screen TVs was a bad idea?"
The 5% Project
Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.
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Tasermons Partner Posted 1:13 pm
10 Jan 2009
Could be an opportunity.
But what are the chances?
Have any of the major manufacturers even hinted that they would improve their recycling programs if the transition was delayed?
Is there any major push amongst the administration to use a delay to help improve recycling programs?
If I go out and buy a lottery ticket, it could be an opportunity that I'll win and be rich...but I wouldn't bet on it.
Opportunity works best when people seize it...and it doesn't look like anyone is really interested in tryin' to seize this one.
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Delay And Deny Posted 1:37 pm
11 Jan 2009
Reverse 911 is a far more practical solution:
http://www.reverse911.com/index.php
As far as TV, I watch most of my video programming on my Computer, using my Clear Wimax connection. I prefer on demand using Netflix or Hulu to get access to my favorite programs in streaming format when I want to.
...if there are self made Purgatories, then we all have to live in them.
--"This Side of Paradise", TOS
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