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Despite New June 12th Deadline, 641 Stations Went Digital February 17th
Posted on March 04, 2009Due to concerns viewers wouldn’t be ready to switch, Congress, as expected, pushed back the conversion deadline to June 12th. In spite of this, 641 stations were ready to go on February 17th and made the switch.
Most of the stations were in relatively rural areas, but those transitioning from analog to digital also included some large markets, such as San Diego. Congress voted for the delay after determining that many viewers were still not prepared, because the coupon program (offsetting costs of digital to analog converter boxes) was underfunded and poorly administered.
The new June 12th deadline helps delay the tidal wave of old, obsolete televisions appearing in landfills. But it is only a delay. Companies should take responsibility and launch national takeback programs. Some already have, but for those who haven’t, take a moment and ask them to clean up their act.
Press Coverage
A Program to Certify Electronic Waste Recycling Rivals an Industry-U.S. Plan
New York Times04-15-10 -- In addition to outlining safe domestic handling and disposal practices for old televisions, computers and other electronic devices, the system would effectively bar participating recyclers from exporting toxic, nonfunctional electronic waste to developing nations. The program will compete directly with a less stringent standard recently developed by industry and the federal government that companies and recyclers say makes more economic sense.
Electronics Recycling - Who’s Responsible?
Recycling Today12-29-09 -- As the lawsuit challenging New York City’s electronics take-back law prepares for opening arguments in mid-January, industry associations and electronics recycling advocates wonder what effect the court’s ruling will have on the future of producer responsibility.
A Green Way to Dump Low-Tech Electronics
The New York Times06-30-09 -- The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 99.1 million televisions sit unused in closets and basements across the country. Consumer response to recycling has been enormous in states where the laws have taken effect.
