CRT Tubes

Ok. I know this has been discussed before, but the info seemed outdated. So here's my personal situation...

I specialize in TV's because the dumps here in WI usually charge $15-25 per TV to dispose of them. I pick them up locally for free. I go every weekend and usually get 10-15/weekend.

I obviously don't get too much out of TV's, but in bulk, I get enough to cover my driving to houses, school, and my own house.

In my back yard, I have about 40-50 CRT tubes, some with the neck broken off, others with just the small nub on the back broken. I can't really be storing them much longer, and I obviously can't afford the $20 charge from the dump.

So my question is, without a municipal garbage system, what do I do with them? My carrier won't take them, and they are bare tubes, so I have no real options here. Anyone know if the goodwill Dell Reconnect program will take them bare? They aren't all Dell tubes, however. Any other stores take them bare? I want to avoid paying money as much as possible, and I would be willing to travel within WI to dump them off. I live in the North Central part of WI.

Any help is appreciated greatly. I need these out of here!

I thought I read somewhere (maybe in one of those "outdated" threads) that Goodwill would take broken tubes. I think if you look on their website it says something about it too. I'm pretty sure it said to put them in a box, seal it and write broken tube or broken CRT on the box and they would take it. It could be worth a call to save you some money. Short of that route, I think you'll have to pay to dispose of them.

Usually people who get into tv recycling line up their disposal sources before they start tearing them down. Just sayin'

let me get this straight, you want to scrap tvs to make some money, but you don't want to be responsable for properly disposing of the crap you create if it cost you money.

personally I think there aught to be a law that says you can't lose in Vegas too.

he could always save up a bunch of them crush them all down (wearing a respirator) mix the glass with concrete and pour himself a fallout shelter. just trowing out ideas, you seem to be up **** creek without a paddle and did think this through.

Definitely a lack of thinking on my part. Just to clarify, I do want to properly dispose of them, that's why I am not throwing them away.

Fallout shelter would be awesome, but it would take up the same amount of room as the tubes!

So I have come up with a solution.

I will check with Goodwill, and if they will take them, awesome! I'll bring a few in every week, and have a friend do the same.

The local dump here charges $0.46/lb for taking these tubes. They say it's the "eScrap" charge. I think I will take them there if all else fails, and either way I will charge $5.00-10.00 for each TV, but still offer my free pickup. This way they are paying for the glass, and I get the rest as profit. Not bad seen as how the dump wants $15-20 each when they are whole. Plus I pick them up :D

I'll also have to find something else to find to scrap to bring in some extra cash, if anyone has suggestions. Preferably something with no hazardous waste ;P

Tip from the inexperienced scrapper: Plan Ahead

Also thanks for everyone's responses. I'm finding this forum ever more helpful!

Outdated stuff included Best Buy who only takes them as a whole now.

Check with URT down in Janesville, they recycle CRT's.

Plan B sounds much better Johnicek...sounds like your back on track.

I don't mean to look down upon previous threads or any information, however, the Best Buy program does not accept the gutted TV's. I believe they used to, but then learned that it was not profitable for them.

I am awaiting an email from URT, no info yet, but they do charge for it as well I believe, and the dump close to me is about a 15 mile drive. Quick and easy, even if the price is a bit higher. I'll do whatever is cheapest.

And thanks KZBell! Even if I loose a bit, I have learned my lesson on scrapping this kind of stuff. I just updated my ads to reflect the $10.00 charge for TV's and anything with hazardous waste.

initiation by fire, happens all the time.

URT will not accept the bare tubes. Emailed them last week. It is a free drop-off for complete units only.

Glad to see your doing this responsibly. I charge anytime I pickup CRT's by themselves. As far as what else to scrap, right now I take everything but items containing freon. Metal, plastic and escrap all have value just find a buyer before acquiring. Good luck

Johnicek, Just do like me, open them up, pull all the goodies, and put the plastic back on and take them to Goodwill (if yours is in the program). Getting rid of the tubes and the plastic that nobody wants.

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Originally Posted by duece2000

Glad to see your doing this responsibly. I charge anytime I pickup CRT's by themselves. As far as what else to scrap, right now I take everything but items containing freon. Metal, plastic and escrap all have value just find a buyer before acquiring. Good luck

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Plastic you say? I haven't heard much about selling plastic. Do tell if you don't mind please!

johnuppy: Thanks for the info!

Mechanic688: That's a brilliant idea. One I have thought of before,but never really done. I suppose it's easy enough. Take the board, the yoke, and the degaussing cable, and leave the rest for someone else. Plenty of companies that will take them as a whole. I suppose they don't mind if the good stuff is missing?

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Originally Posted by Johnicek

... the Best Buy program does not accept the gutted TV's. I believe they used to, but then learned that it was not profitable for them...

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Just curious- are you recycling the ABS plastic also?
I usually harvest everything of value, button the case back up, then turn them into Best Buy.
I have taken in a couple of dozen TVs this way during the past two months and haven't had as much as a hint of a problem from Best Buy about accepting them.
The ABS plastic could garner me a little bit of coin as we have a plastics recycler in my area but, I figure that it just isn't worth losing the ability to dispose of the tubes.

Incidentally, your ability to take the pot shots in such a well-mannered way is rather admirable.

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Mechanic688: That's a brilliant idea. One I have thought of before,but never really done. I suppose it's easy enough. Take the board, the yoke, and the degaussing cable, and leave the rest for someone else. Plenty of companies that will take them as a whole. I suppose they don't mind if the good stuff is missing?

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Goodwill gets paid $ .02 a lb for electronics period. Nobody said they had to work,,,lol
I imagine if the truth was known, they are getting a tax break from the Gov't for being a responsible recycler.

Yep goodwill doesnt care if it gutted broke whatever. they get paid by the pound so like I said in another post. the manager at the goodwill i take my CRT's too loves me cause that glass is heavy and it gets the stores weight up on the recycle program. Now I just ned to carve out some time to break down the 100 some CRT's I have in my back yard.

PTS it's gonna start looking like Hosses back yard,,,lol

whats really funny is when I get home and the great dane decided to use a vacuum as a chew toy. I then have to go around the yard picking up pieces of plastic tubing.

Mech, i currently have EXACTLY 666 bare tubes in my shop, and 301 full sets to break down. Doing more pickups tomorrow, my count of full sets should be up to the 1000 mark again.

Someone mentioned URT doesnt take bare tubes. Wrong, they do, but they charge. They will take full sets for free, like you said.

Having the mindset of "take the good stuff and leave the rest for someone else to deal with" will get you no where if you plan on having a lasting e-scrap business. You MUST take responsibility for EVERYTHING. Yea, it's a PITA, but you not only get the warm and fuzzy feeling of doing things the right way, but it also looks good for your business.

I recommend you stay away from tv's/monitors. The way your state is set it, it doesnt look like it's profitable for you. Normally id be encouraging people to fail, because that's the only way you learn. But the way you handled the pot shots from the members above me was pretty dang good. So, find something else to scrap, save yourself and mother nature alot of grief.

On a note about ABS...It's PITA too! And I have a guy that will take it. I just don't want to pay the fuel charge to drive it the 45 miles to him, and give it away.

http://reconnectpartnership.com/items.php

http://reconnectpartnership.com/locations.php

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Originally Posted by jfw1961

Incidentally, your ability to take the pot shots in such a well-mannered way is rather admirable.

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I was thinking the same thing. Not sure I would do as well.

Thanks for the advise and complements from everyone! I am still in the process of getting rid of the old tubes. I have found a guy that is a registered recycler that may take my tubes, and instead of paying for the service, I will also give him computer parts and other gold containing scrap to compensate for the cost. I know it's money, but it's better than paying out of pocket (my pockets are empty). I will contact a Goodwill down by my scrapyard (the local one won't take them) and see if they will accept them. Also I saw a new thread about someone buying them? I'll look into this as well! Even if I can ship them to someone for free, I'll be more than happy! Haha. I am now charging $10.00 for the disposal (this will cover the $10.00 charge from the same recycler mentioned before to take the tubes), but I am picking them up for free. I am now partnered with a local computer repair business, and I pickup his old scrap for free. I only have leftover plastic, which is cheap to get rid of, or even maybe free if I can find the right person (If anyone has contacts for this kind of stuff in WI, or a shipping program, feel free to give me a hollar!). TV's have slowed down, but I'd rather make a little money, than loose a lot of money!

Thanks again for everyone's help, and I hope someone can learn from my experience in the future!