As from tomorrow (April 4), anaolgue transmission ceases, meaning all viewers who have not already done so will need to convert or upgrade their TV sets to receive digital signals. However, fears are growing this could lead to a significant increase in old sets being needlessly dumped or fly-tipped.

In London alone, research by Digital UK estimates there are more than 11 million television owners – and up to a half of them plan to buy a new TV set for the switchover.

To counter this, Recycle for London is offering Londoners practical advice about how to upgrade their television sets and informing them of the options available for recycling or reusing old items.

The advice being offered is part of Recycle for London’s Nice Save campaign, raising awareness of how much money can be saved by recycling in the capital. Cutting down on electrical waste is a key part of this – last year Londoners threw away 18,000 tonnes of electrical waste.

The British Heart Foundation also is running a television collection service in which it will mend unwanted TVs and make them safe before selling them at a discounted price to low income households.

Analogue televisions can contain hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic and need to be disposed of under WEEE requirements.

Maxine Perella

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