Is it really illegal to take old TV's apart?

I talked to a local recycling center today that takes old TV's for $45.00 a TV. I asked the man there how much would it cost me to just bring in the glass because I keep everything else. He told me that if I'm just collecting old TV's to take them apart that I need to stop doing it because it is completely illegal. He said I would have to have special HAZ-MAT training and a HAZ-MAT licence to do this. Is this true? This is in West Virginia. He said the glass has lead in it and thats why its considered hazardous and illegal to take apart. Anyone else ever heard of this?

I'd say that is indeed a "hazmat" type of situation but I can't imagine that it would be any worse than breaking a florescent light bulb/tube. Sure they have special procedures for cleanup but I've seen them broken in the supermarket many times only to be swept up and put in a can just like any other broken piece of glass.

As far as being illegal? I doubt that it would be illegal to take it apart, however, I can imagine that it would be illegal to just dump it on the side of the road. I just think that they guy is telling you anything just so you would bring him all of the goods.

I'd be tempted to think, at $45 a pop, some people might say anything to get you away ; )
You should be able to search your state's regulations somewhere, or if nothing else go to the library, look for the statutes for your state, get the index to it, and search out all categories pertaining to waste

No.. I think he said that you PAY them $45 to dispose of it for you.

I have never heard of it ever being illegal, in any state, to just disassemble a tv. Properly disposing of certain parts might be a different matter.

Yeah, they charge $45.00 a tv.

darn u had me excited!

If there is a problem with TVs, what do they do with them when they get to the landfill?

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/elect...r-article.html

He wants you to stop taking them apart so you can pay him the 45.00 AND he gets the good stuff inside.

Over here they crush them and throw them in the fill, (the morons!).

And by HAZ-MAT I would recommend a respirator for removal of the board. Because of the dust and fiber glass low grade board. I wear a respirator when I tear them down. I get sick if I don't.

Separate the material on the board as well Al. heat sinks and transformers do a quick google search for transformers and select images.

it should be illegal to charge that much per unit.

Originally Posted by projectnz

it should be illegal to charge that much per unit.

it probably would be if the politician who proposed it wasn't getting a kickback ; )

Originally Posted by skylinejack

^^^What he said^^^



^^^And what he said, too^^^

I agree as well, best buy pulled this crap on me. And let's just say that I will never be their customer ever!


Check out your state laws, don't believe some moron I get charged 20-45 cents per lb if I want to have the local facility do it, but I take my stuff to good will so it does cost me anything LOL