Tips For Scrapping Old TVs

Old and unused television sets are everywhere these days. Many households now have multiple TVs and replace them often. The technology used in televisions is rapidly changing and improving while the cost of getting a new TV is decreasing. This means people replace their televisions more often than they used to, providing an enterprising e-waste connousier with potentially valuable material.

The metal and other parts inside of old televisions are often worth more than the entire unit as a whole. In fact, you may have to pay to scrap the unit, instead of getting paid. Old Tvs contain aluminium, copper, and circuit boards that are worth money after separating. Here are some easy steps to maximizing your profits from old TV sets.

Step 1: Remove The Back Cover

Each brand and model will have different types of screws, but it is common to see hex head screws on the back of older televisions. Don’t forget about the screw in the corner. The back plastic cover should lift off easily. Sometimes you may have to cut the power cable in order to remove the back cover. If the TV was plugged in recently, the capicitor may still hold a charge. You may need to discharge the capicitors before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Remove the Circuit Boards

Most TVs have two circuit boards in them. One of the cirucit boards is attached tot he top of the tube, while the other is a bigger board toard the bottom of the TV. After removing the circuit boards, check them for valuable materials you can take off of them like IC chips, heat sinks, and other items.

Step 3: The Copper Yoke

The copper inside of the TV is one of the most valuable internal components. There is a copper yoke at the end of the tube inside the television. Remove the one or two screws and twist the yoke off. After you remove the yoke, you will need to separate the copper from the ferrite core. You can hit it with a hammer to break it off.

Step 4: The Scrap Degaussing Coil

There is a thick gauge wire that runs down the front of the tube. If the coil feels heavy, there is probably more copper underneath the electrical tape that is probably covering it. Use a razor cutter or box cutter to slice down the cable, pull the copper out.

Step 5: Disposing Of The Leaded TV Tube

The leaded tube inside of the TV can pose some problems. It can be tricky to safely (and legally) dispose of this item. A broken tube can create health concerns as well as environmental hazards. Unfortunately, many scrap yards actually ask you to pay them to recycle these items, which can quickly cancel our your earnings and leave you in the hole. The electronics retail giant Best Buy used to offer free or low cost recycling, but that program has been discontinued.

If you build a good relationship with a scrap company, they may be willing to accept these items for free or at a reduced cost. Goodwill has also partner with Dell to recycle old TVs and CRT monitors and may take smaller quantities for free. You can check the program’s website here to learn more details and see if they have locations in your area.

Older televisions are some of the most common items you’ll come across while processing e-waste. If you can find a good outlet for recycling the leaded glass tube inside of the TV, then this could be an excellent way to earn extra money for your e-scrap.