Here in California we can recycle tv's @ .05/lb. So I can recycle it or break it down and hopefully make more. Before my gut would tell me that it would be better to just recycle this 64" monster "as is" with out break down because it is so heavy but, I like to break down one of every type of item at least once just so I know what I am working for or what my options are. Here are the numbers:
Without Break Down: 325 lbs. @ .05/lb = $16.25
With Break Down:
-Copper #2: 1lb. @ $2.70/lb. = $2.70
-E-waste: 7.25 lbs. @ $0.05/lb. = $0.36
-Painted Aluminum: 4.60 lbs. @ $0.40/lb. = $1.84
-Clean Aluminum: .60 lbs. @ $0.50/lb. = $0.30
-Copper wire: 1.70 lbs. @ $0.90/lb. = $1.53
-Cont. Aluminum: .15 lbs. @ $0.23/lb. = $0.03
-#1 hms: 18lbs. @ $0.14/lb. = $2.52
Total: $9.32
So, the result show that I make $6.93 more if I just take the tv directly to the scrap yard instead of breaking it down. Keep in mind that this was a particularly heavy unit that was made of lots of wood, so, it was kind of obvious that it would be better to go straight to the recycle center but, I had to do the experiment to know for sure. Not only would we make $6.93 more but we would save our time also. So after this experiment I decided that I will take huge 64" size tvs (and other huge furniture type tvs) and larger crts (I have found that many larger crts have aluminum wiring) directly to scrap yard (always take down the address where you got it from) but, smaller crt monitor I will continue to break down.
I will continue to post experiments that I do with my data. Let me know if this info is useful.
thanks
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