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When the time comes to buy a shiny new TV, what do you think happens to your old device?
With plastic and metal being 100% recyclable, there is a high possibility that your trusty TV set will become something completely different after you’ve finished with it.
We explore some of the tech giants’ recycling processes and their aim to achieve a more sustainable future for technology, along with finding out which parts of your TVs are recyclable.
Samsung’s Stance on Sustainability
As a company which produces thousands of devices every year, from TVs to white goods, Samsung understands the importance of reducing unnecessary e-waste and promoting closed-loop practices (processes which prevent waste from adding to the growing landfills).
They try to manufacture tech that will offer a greater lifespan with all their products. This means fewer users will be looking to dispose of old devices as quickly as they previously would. In addition, Samsung offers a fantastic recycling facility and aims to reduce the number of components they use within their devices. This can be seen in the reduced size of the frame of their devices.
Unlike other brands, Samsung offers to take any old mobile from consumers regardless of manufacturer and will even pay for it. Once they have the device, the parts will be stripped back and used in newer devices. Unfortunately, they only offer this with mobile phones, but if you want to recycle your TV efficiently, they provide many links to help find the right place to take it, where it will be sent to be recycled correctly.
When finding materials to manufacture new products, they ensure all their suppliers undergo a rigorous assessment before joining. Every year Samsung will also carry out annual checks to confirm that a supplier is still maintaining eco-friendly processes, working with them to create strategies for improvement.
LG – Life’s Good When You Recycle
LG, another industry giant in the world of TVs, offers a recycling program through all their vendors. This scheme allows you to return your old devices to where you originally bought them. LG also works closely with vendors to verify that their recycling process is up to date and correct.
In 2020, LG used around 20,000 tons of recycled plastic to manufacture new products. The TV manufacturing giant plans to increase this positive impact by aiming for 8 million tonnes of electronic waste to be recycled and reused with its new products by 2030. As many as 18 OLED TV products will be made with less raw plastic (up to 10,000 tons less) compared to previous years when 14 OLED models were produced.
Sustainability Sounds Great with Sony
Whilst aiming to use recycled plastic in products is the most sustainable process, Sony’s main concern was the ability to still create excellent products with perfect acoustics. Another factor they struggled with was the aesthetic of the plastic. Unfortunately, using plastics with various constructs can affect the audio it produces and the colour consistency of the material.
However, after many years of research and product testing, they finally created a fully recycled plastic that still offered acoustic harmony when installed in speakers and TV frames. Plus, whilst they have significantly improved the colour of the plastic they use in TVs, they are still working on perfecting the colours to achieve a sleek and modern design.
They have been working on using recycled materials since 2010 and continue to improve their use of recycled plastic to use less virgin plastic than in previous years. They aim to reduce the need for plastic in their products and have already achieved a 60% decrease in the past four years.
Panasonic’s Path to a Zero Waste Future
Panasonic understands the importance of sustainability and creating a future that is zero waste. To help minimise their own, they have set up facilities worldwide, responsible for breaking down old tech correctly for use in new applications. One of their facilities in Japan is located very close to their manufacturing plant. This feature offers a smooth transition, allowing them to use these broken-down devices for more eco-friendly technology.
Panasonic has achieved a recycling rate of 99% over previous years, and each year they aim to achieve this and more. Like other tech giants, they actively assess their e-waste and follow the circular economy strategy.
The discarded materials are assessed and addressed, with each item reaching a final life when no other option is possible. Items of tech that cannot be reused in manufacturing products are sent to specialist recycling facilities, which can be used in other applications such as waste-to-energy conservation.
Which Parts of the TVs Can Be Recycled?
You may not believe it, but every TV, even our cheap tvs, whether LCD, LED, QLED or OLED, can be recycled. In fact, 98% of a TV can be. The only product that cannot be recycled is phosphorous, which requires extraction.
The likes of wires are stripped back to the critical metals, which can be sent to a specialist metal recycling facility. The circuit boards are also smelted down to extract the metals they contain, but only if the TV is faulty. If the TV is in perfect working condition, circuit boards can be removed and reused in other devices. Even ultra-thin and barely noticeable glass screens can be recycled and reused elsewhere.
Being conscious about your e-waste can help these tech giants fulfil their sustainability promises. So, when buying your new cheap LED TV, it’s essential to dispose of your old device correctly. We also offer an excellent LED TV repair service, which can prevent the need to throw out a broken device. Contact us today to find out more!
