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TV Recycling Challenge
In January 2009, EPA's Plug-In To eCycling program challenged electronics retailers and television manufacturers to increase the collection and responsible recycling of used TVs as consumers replaced boxy analog TVs with digital flat-screens. The goal of the Challenge was to stimulate innovation and partnerships to increase TV recycling in 2009 and beyond.
Who Stepped Up to the Challenge?
Several leading TV manufacturers, including Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba (through the recycling consortium, the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company) accepted the Challenge, expanded recycling opportunities and as a result collected approximately 8.2 million pounds of TVs from January through August.
Results
Where Can I Recycle My TV?
Even though the Challenge has ended, you can still recycle your TV at one of the Challenge participants’ many drop-off locations.
Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba 
have developed a network of 360 locations to collect their branded TVs for free recycling.
Samsung offers more than 170 locations where consumers can drop off their Samsung TVs at no cost.
Sony provides consumers 274 nationwide locations with free recycling service for all Sony branded TVs.
Recycling TVs helps to conserve natural resources and reduce the need to extract and process virgin materials.
EPA is recognizing MRM, led by Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba, as the winner of the TV Recycling Challenge. MRM developed a TV collection network that utilizes a variety of collection approaches including establishing collection points with charities and self storage units. MRM’s program also has the potential to include additional brands as more manufacturers join as sponsors.
EPA applauds all of the Challenge participants, including Sony and Samsung, for demonstrating responsibility and leadership by making it easier for individuals to drop off TVs for recycling and for covering the costs of collection.
Learn more about each of the participant’s programs.
How Were Participants’ Efforts Evaluated?
At the end of the Challenge period, participants submitted applications describing their TV collection and recycling programs. EPA evaluated the entries based on the following criteria:
- Innovation: For example, the innovation can be in bringing together partners who had not cooperated previously and/or creating unique mechanisms for engaging consumers in TV recycling.
- Longevity: The likelihood that the program will succeed in attracting consumers and providing an ongoing means to consumers to recycle their unwanted TVs past the Challenge period.
- Consumer Outreach & Education: The extent to which the program informs consumers of recycling opportunities, motivates them to recycle, and communicates the environmental benefits of recycling.
- Recycling Opportunities: The national reach of the program, its accessibility, and levels of consumer participation.
- Total Pounds of Televisions Collected: Programs tracked and reported the amount of TVs voluntarily collected outside of state legislated collection programs from January through August.
- Responsible Recycling Practices: The participants’ ability to ensure that their recyclers follow safe recycling practices and have met the EPA export requirements for both the reuse and recycling of CRTs.