With the FCC-mandated transition to all-digital signals set for Feb. 17, 2009, the pile of discarded analog TVs is growing daily.
Back in September, Sony Electronics started a national recycling effort to help dispose of the analog TVs, and today it announced a program that is designed to further encourage consumers to recycle their old TV sets.
Sony will be offering, until March 15, a $100 coupon toward the purchase of a new Sony Bravia HDTV for every old set – whether a Sony or not – recycled through the Sony Take Back Recycling Program.
The program, launched in the fall, was established with Waste Management Recycle America to offer customers free recycling of any of their unwanted Sony products.
Consumers can bring Sony-branded products, as well as other manufacturers’ electronics products (which may require a recycling fee), to 79 eCycling centers throughout the U.S.
“By layering our Take Back Recycling Program with offers like the TV Trade Up promotion, Sony expects to reach its goal of recycling one pound of old product for every pound of new product sold,” said Mark Small, VP of environment, safety and health for Sony. “With the next wave of high-definition technology, we anticipate many HDTVs to replace analog television sets, and Sony is providing customers with end-of-life solutions for those unwanted items.”