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When a new media wall retires the old TV

What is happening

A media wall is often built around a new, larger screen, which leaves the old one sitting in the garage. EPA notes that electronics are made from valuable resources and that donating or recycling them conserves natural resources and avoids air and water pollution⁵.

By the numbers

EPA cites a 2006 U.S. Geological Survey estimate that recycling one million laptops saves energy equal to the electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year⁵.

Before it leaves the house

• Delete all personal information⁵. Smart TVs and streaming boxes store account sign-ins, so in practice that means signing out of each app and running a factory reset.
• Take out any batteries, including those in remotes, since they may need to be recycled separately⁵.
• Keep lithium-ion batteries and devices that contain them out of household trash and recycling bins⁵.

Where it can go

EPA says manufacturers and retailers offer several ways to donate or recycle electronics, and suggests checking for recycling facilities in your state or community⁵. A working screen may suit a guest room, a lanai or a donation center; one that no longer works belongs with an electronics recycler.

Planning notes

Put the old screen on the project checklist. Deciding where it goes before installation day keeps it from ending up propped against a wall for months.