If your television stops working, your first instinct might be to toss it in the trash. However, doing so isn’t your only option. In fact, it shouldn’t be an option at all. Improperly disposing of your television leads to an increase in harmful e-waste, which releases harmful chemicals and damages the environment. Plus, your broken TV might still hold some value, so you would literally be throwing money away. For more beneficial and more environmentally friendly solutions, follow our advice on what to do with a broken television.
Repair it
Just because your TV stops working doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause. Instead of throwing the device away, consider having it repaired. Many companies offer repair services or sell television replacement parts so that you can resolve the issue without spending a ton of money on an entirely new model.
Trade it
If your television breaks, you might be able to take it back to its original retailer and trade it in for a discounted price on a new model. Manufacturers can dismantle many televisions to obtain valuable features, which they can then use to produce new devices. As such, you should always try to trade in your device before simply throwing it away.
Sell it
While it may seem strange, there’s actually a market for broken televisions. As we mentioned above, broken TVs often contain usable parts, so some people may be interested in purchasing your TV so that they can dismantle it and use its parts to repair other devices. If your TV still works but just has a minor problem, some people may also be willing to overlook the issue if you offer them a good price. To sell your device, post a picture and a description of the television as well as a reasonable asking price on a site such as eBay, BuyBackWorld, or Amazon.
Donate it
If you can’t find any buyers for your device, you might as well donate it. Charity retail stores such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity may accept your television. Donating your device isn’t just a charitable act; it also prevents your old TV from taking up space in a landfill and releasing harmful chemicals into the earth.
Recycle it
Unfortunately, some televisions are beyond repair. If this is the case, it’s important to recycle them. Most cities have electronic recycling centers where you can drop off your device. In addition, you can also utilize the free recycling services at large companies such as Staples and Best Buy. They’ll break down your television so that its useful parts can be reused and so that its dangerous elements—such as mercury—can be safely disposed of.
