A mandatory attribute of leisure time for many people in our country is television. But unfortunately, this type of equipment breaks down quite often. In addition, every year more and more improved models appear, which are even more practical and high-quality. Sometimes they decide to change this type of equipment due to a breakdown or because a new device has appeared on the market. What should I do with my old TV? What to do with it so as not to harm the environment? In fact, there are plenty of places to put your old TV that, in addition to getting rid of unnecessary junk, will also bring a small monetary reward.
Which is better - a landfill or a recycling center?
Outdated or faulty TVs should not be thrown into landfills, as the devices contain toxic substances. Models with a kinescope, which are no longer available today, pose a particular danger to the environment and living beings.
The devices contain the following toxic materials:
- Barium. Once ingested, it provokes convulsive muscle contractions.
- Lead. Can lead to anemia, kidney failure, and exhaustion.
- Strontium. Typically, televisions are made from natural material that does not have radioactive properties. Negative effects occur in the presence of other pathologies. Thus, with a lack of vitamin D and calcium in children, the substance causes strontium rickets and other serious diseases.
- Mercury. The vapors of this material negatively affect all systems and organs of the human body. In large quantities, mercury is deadly.
- Plastic. The plastic casing of household appliances is prone to fire. When burned, toxic compounds are released into the air: nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and others. Half an hour of inhalation is fatal.
Remember! TV receivers thrown away with ordinary household waste are dangerous not only for humans, but also for other living organisms. It is important to properly dispose of household appliances. This will not only protect the environment, but also save natural resources.
How to find out the value of an old TV?
It is impossible to get a serious monetary reward for a picture tube unit manufactured 20 years ago. Usually they are bought on advertising platforms for about 100 rubles, subject to pickup. The amount increases if the buyer is looking for a specific model. The cost depends on the condition of the device and the diagonal width.
Non-functional devices manufactured in the late 90s - early 2000s. today they are practically no longer quoted, since their repair in most cases is unprofitable.
Modern liquid crystal models are sold on specialized websites for 150 – 250 thousand rubles (as of 2021). But it is better to purchase equipment in a store, then it will be covered by a warranty. A plasma TV in perfect condition can be sold for half the price of a new one or a little more. The price of non-working units varies greatly depending on the breakdown and the cost of repair work.
The price depends on the following factors:
- Date of manufacture.
- Screen diagonal.
- Appearance.
- Specifications.
- Additional functions: 3D, camera and others.
Lamp
An old tube TV makes original designer lamps. If you remove the screen and cover the body with a film that matches the rest of the interior, such an item will fit perfectly into the overall style. Instead of a screen, a transparent panel is installed, a light bulb with the appropriate connection is mounted inside, and then the lamp is placed in a convenient place.
Competent and rational use of old technology is a simple science. Sometimes it is enough to show a little imagination to get a lot of new, interesting things with minimal costs, but with maximum benefit.
Delivery under the recycling program
In large populated areas there are companies that accept non-working TVs for recycling. In this case, it will not be possible to earn any money; on the contrary, you will have to pay for transportation and the work of the craftsmen.
Professional recycling includes disassembling equipment, sorting by materials, crushing, cleaning, and delivery to production.
Interesting! Only 10% of the materials from which TVs are made are not recyclable. The remaining elements are placed in special storage facilities and no longer pose a threat to the environment.
Commission shop
Another option where you can return your broken TV and still get money is thrift stores. But this has its drawbacks. The full reward can only be received after the sale of the device. If money is needed immediately, the store pays from 50 to 75% of the cost (each office has its own conditions).
The owner himself is responsible for the delivery of equipment to the store. When you hand over your TV to a thrift store, you can get rid of unnecessary things and, over time, get a certain amount of money.
Diorama
Another idea for connoisseurs of original crafts. Typically, dioramas are made using cardboard boxes, but by creating a diverse composition on a real TV, you will definitely capture the imagination of observers. This is the very case when you can show your imagination by depicting any scene from a movie, a sketch from life, or just a landscape.
Sale to collectors
Connoisseurs of antiquities sometimes buy household appliances to add to their collections. Televisions cannot be classified as antiques, since they are no more than 40 years old. But some devices were produced in limited quantities, and therefore are of interest to collectors.
To figure out where to put a unique model of an old TV, just post an ad on a thematic forum. You should first consult with a specialist to find out the cost of the model.
Place for a pet
All cats love enclosed spaces - it helps them cope with daily stress. To get a stylish house for your pet, just remove the internal parts, close one of the fiberboard walls and provide the lower part of the product with soft bedding.
You can decorate it at your discretion - wallpaper, self-adhesive, paint. A larger TV can be used as a bed for a small dog.
Scrap metal collection point
This is the easiest way to return your broken TV for money. Outdated devices contain a small amount of non-ferrous metals, so the proceeds will not be too large. It is better to visit several collection points to compare prices and then choose a more advantageous offer.
Note! If you disassemble the unit yourself, you can extract up to 3 kg of copper.
Store promotions
Large chain electronics supermarkets often offer discounts on new equipment if you return the old one. Don't expect big savings. Preliminary prices for devices are increased, and the amount spent will be equal to what it was before the promotion. However, recycling old TVs allows you to get rid of unnecessary junk.
The list of suitable stores includes:
- El Dorado. Every year, the outlet conducts a “Total Recycling”. Old household appliances are exchanged for a discount when purchasing new ones. Delivery of non-working devices is free of charge. The buyer only needs to prepare the products for export. Overall savings can reach 20%.
- M Video. It implements a similar program, but the size of the discount will depend on the price of the upcoming purchase. If the buyer orders home delivery, the old device can be disposed of free of charge.
- Media Markt. The “Old for New” promotion provides a discount of 10,000 rubles. The store has an interesting offer: the diagonal size of the device is multiplied by 60. The resulting number is the size of the discount.
Details of the promotions and their timing are published on the company’s websites. In the same way, you can get rid of other unnecessary household appliances.
Exchange your old TV for a new one
Many stores offer to exchange your old TV receiver for a new one at an additional cost. The buyer will receive a pleasant discount and at the same time get rid of unnecessary things. It is necessary to return the faulty broken TV, and then take advantage of the discount on the purchase of any household appliances: refrigerator, washing machine and others.
The buyer needs to visit the store, arrange home delivery, and pay the remaining amount. The goods will be delivered to the specified address, and non-working equipment will be taken away.
Stores that hold such promotions cooperate with customers and companies involved in the recycling of household devices. Plastic and metal parts are used to create casing and wires, and old circuits are melted down to make new ones. Materials that cannot be recycled are disposed of safely.
Bar
Not everyone has their own bar. If you have an old TV, this problem is easy to fix. The sequence of actions will be as follows:
- take the TV, take out the kinescope and all the “stuffing” from it;
- Remove the back cover too, replace it with a piece of plywood or fiberboard;
- cover the inner walls with self-adhesive film, wallpaper, mirror panels or any other suitable materials, or paint them in a beautiful color;
- if desired, glue battery-powered LED lighting strips inside the bar;
- screw on a door or hinged lid, add shelves to make the bar more “advanced”;
- fill the bar with alcohol, glasses, and straws for cocktails.
Minibar from TV
Advertisements for sale
You can sell a TV using free ads only if it is in good working order and has an attractive appearance. You can post information on television, in local newspapers or on Internet platforms.
Of course, the most popular models will be those that are in perfect condition, without scratches or other damage, with a remote control, documentation, and all the necessary wires. Photos must be attached to the advertisement. If you set an adequate price, you will definitely find a buyer. Used household appliances are often purchased for cottages, dorms, garages, and rental apartments.
The only inconvenience with this method is calls, but it's worth it. If the agreement is successful, the buyer will independently pick up the equipment from the house.
Assembly
This circuit is simple: I plugged single-core wires directly into the “braid” from the power supply to the controller.
The “black and white” wire carries 16 volts through the switch and ground. White and blue wires (thrown by the installer at the telephone box) carry 5-volt signals to all three lines. Assembled and checked. If there is less flow to the DIM channel than the driver expects, the backlight will blink. With a voltmeter in one hand and a clock screwdriver in the other, I found the threshold at which everything calms down. In principle, it can be collected and used. But you can do it smoothly!
Another good option is selling the TV for spare parts.
To do this, you need to call several nearby workshops to find out at what price they buy non-working devices. If a person hands over equipment for repair, then new parts must be used for it. However, many service centers, trying to save money, purchase old units, disassemble them, and then reuse the parts.
If you sell an outdated TV for spare parts, you still won’t get much money for it. It’s easier to give working equipment free of charge to people who really need it: large and low-income families, orphanages, pensioners. This good deed will not bring money, but it will provide positive emotions for a long time.
Recycling your TV for money means getting rid of unnecessary equipment, receiving a small reward, and protecting the environment from dangerous toxins.
Recycling old TVs at Eldorado (2 videos)
How much can you sell an old TV for?
If a TV model is a rare item and has historical value, then its cost can be very high. Some television sets were produced in limited editions and are therefore unique.
On a note! If one of your relatives was a famous person and the TV belonged to him, you can also count on a good monetary reward.
If the device was put into production about twenty years ago, there will not be much demand for it: you will get about 500 rubles for it. More modern, well-preserved models that are about 10 years old can be sold for about 1,000 rubles. The fact is that parts of television receivers from these years of production are not rare; many have them. Therefore, their price is low.
There are many people who will be happy if they are offered equipment as a gift:
- pensioners;
- large families;
- hospitals;
- social organizations.
The good done will be the best reward for some, and the question of where to put the old TV will be resolved by itself.
