How to Schedule a Pick-Up for Television & Computer Recycling

In order to have your TV, computer, or associated item picked up, please call CRT Company at 1-877-944-7019 ext. 2.  You will get a recording, so you must listen carefully for your assigned pick-up date, CRT does not call and confirm your pick up, so be sure to record the date you're given.  Please provide your name, address (spell out your street name) phone number, and state what items you will leave at the curb.  Be sure to say whether or not your television is working.  CRTR will not be charged for the pick-up of working televisions.

OR

You may email your pick-up information to walthamcurbside@crtr.org.  please email at least 48 hours in advance to ensure pick-up.     

Pick-ups are on Tuesday's, rain or shine. You must place the item at your curb by 7:00 am the morning of the pick-up.

Waltham Businesses can also take advantage of this recycling program by calling 1-508-427-7740. Businesses will be charged at the same rate that the City pays for residential service. CRT Recycling provides service to both.

The City of Waltham's vendor, CRTR, often refurbishes computers for donation to other countries, such as South Africa.  Or they break computers and televisions into basic parts for recycling.  You can learn more about their programs at the

CRT Recycling Website.      

Why recycle CRTs?

What is a Cathode Ray Tube?

A Cathode Ray Tube, abbreviated “CRT”, is the main component in a television and computer monitors display unit. The CRT is a specialized vacuum tube in which images are produced when an electron beam strikes a phosphorescent surface. Phosphor screens using multiple beams of electrons have allowed CRTs to display millions of colors.  The CRT appears in the unit as a funnel-shaped, leaded glass tube with a metal frame inside. CRT’s may contain several pounds of lead, which is a toxic substance.
 

Why is there a need to recycle monitors?

Sooner or later your "obsolete" computer monitor or television ends up as high-tech trash - a permanent rest on the information super highway. Each year, over 5 million computer monitors alone are being added to a landfill.

But the story does not end there - and neither does your liability. For example, the cathode ray tubes (CRT's) in your discarded monitors contain traces of phosphorus, cadmium and 6-8 lbs of LEAD. These hazardous materials are sealed to protect users, but they will leach out into a landfill once the CRT is broken-and eventually find their way into the public water supply. Also, when the glass is crushed in a trash-compacting facility, the lead bearing particles become an airborne hazard. That's why since 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closely monitors CRT disposal methods. In 1993, the EPA began targeting companies that dispose of CRTs through landfills or incineration. Additionally, many state and local regulatory agencies are now monitoring the disposal of CRTs and other computer or television equipment.

A lot of companies are simply sending the monitors overseas. This is not only illegal in most cases, but it is also extremely harmful to the health of the citizens living in the landfill areas. Over 130,000 computers are thrown away each day in the U.S. We expect them to be recycled but as the industry grows they are sent overseas to be broken down. However, many of the overseas facilities do not have the proper technology to break down the CRTs properly. Although the workers at these facilities know the consequences of working with the CRTs, they choose poison over poverty.

Give your computer to charity and get a tax break:

Go to plugintoecycling.org, and EPA web site for possible solutions.   If your computer is fairly new find a charity to take it.   Enter your zip code at Goodwilll.org to find a local branch and call to see if they would like it, or got satruck.com/makedonations.asp and click on your part of the county to find a Salvation Army, they may even pick it up for you!