Well ... here it is ... about six years after the original post. I can't speak to what's going on in every state but i can speak to how things are done here in Maine. We have a pretty well developed system for managing CRT's that's been in operation for years now. I work with the CRT's, flatscreens, and computers on a frequent basis as part of my regular day job running our municipal transfer station.
I suppose there are some things to know about Federal and State regulations coming from the EPA. These things are classed as universal waste and get special handling. The regs vary some from state to state but this link gives you a general idea of the things that probably shouldn't go into a landfill.
https://www.acgov.org/forms/aceh/DTS...ersalWaste.pdf
Anyhow ... all the transfer stations in this state are licensed by the State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection. We operate under their rules. State inspectors come through every so often to monitor compliance. You have to mind your P's & Q's with those guys. They can level hefty fines or even shut you down for violations.
So ... the way it works is that every transfer station has a dropoff building for e-waste. You call the company that comes in and picks up all the TV's & computers when the building fills up. They transport it to their facility where the CRT's are dismantled. All the different parts n pieces are loaded into palletized gaylords and shipped off to the appropriate recycling companies.
We've got a load going out tomorrow in fact.
No system is perfect but very few waste items containing lead, mercury, or a few of the other toxic nasties are going to the landfills here.
This would give you a general idea of how CRT's and other electronics are broken down for recycling. It's a pretty good video.
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