Just some of the entries in ReNew’s Reuse your Television Competition. Keep reading for details on the winner, who receives a $200 voucher from Enviro Shop
Last issue we asked you to send ideas to our Reuse your Television Competition. Entries could be realistic or simply fun, with the main aim being for us to all think twice about what to do with e-waste. The competition found a home on Treehugger.com with entries also received from around the world via twitter.
With televisions being thrown out with the rollout of digital transmission, the Federal Government has announced plans to approve a National Television Recycling Scheme by the end of the year. But is it a case of too little too late?
The Total Environment Centre estimates that over 840,000 televisions have been dumped since the digital switchover has been promoted. This is where ReNew readers come into the picture, providing some novel ideas to prevent further e-waste.
Animal boxes?
It seems that old televisions and animals go hand in hand, although only if all the toxic components have been removed. Tamra Greeson Schardl says that an old television can be used as a nest of sorts.
“One of the cleverest uses I have seen is to recycle the glass and metal ‘guts’ then use the empty case for animal beds/nests. They sit upright securely on a shelf and can be fastened down if need be. Cats enjoy sitting in the draught-free box looking out at the world in a sunny window, and hens can use them for nests.”
Entrant Jo Cutten agrees. “I think they would make great chicken laying boxes. I’m not sure what to do with the electrical innards though.”
Paul Judd had quite a special idea, and one that could take off with the right type of support.
“A friend of mine wants to send them to third world countries that still use the analogue system. I guess we have to work out saved embodied energy loss versus transportation costs.”
Fish tanks thanks
It seems the most popular use for an old television set is to transform it into a fish tank, and rightly so.
“This involves hollowing out the insides of the TV and inserting a glass fish tank within the shell. I have done this with an old TV of mine and it’s worked perfectly and has become a feature of my lounge room! This can also be done with old computer screens,” writes Michelle Brownie.
“I used my old television to make a fish tank. It works quite well actually, I even wired up the old power button for the TV to turn on the fish tank light. I’m not sure how many televisions you can save this way, but it’s a start,” writes Shane Merrick (also our Green Landlord winner see ReNew 114.) Spike Pickstock has more DIY tips.
“For fish tanks, gut the inside of any large box TV and use an environmentally friendly sealant to make the structure watertight. A hole can be put in the top to supply water, oxygen and food.”
Spike also suggests making a picture frame or a diorama frame from an old set.
Recycling
Barrie Castle gave some insights into the actual recycling of televisions and what the components are worth.
“Old TV sets can be stripped down to their component metals and be taken to scrap metal recycling centres all around Australia. They can be separated into copper (the top grade pays $7.15/kg now), aluminium (pays about $2.50/kg), PVC coated wiring (pays about $3/kg), brass (pays over $4/kg) and most of the rest, including circuit boards, goes into their steel bin ($0.20/kg). Those centres paying the most are run by volunteers, like the Scout Clubs here in Adelaide. If you’re good with tools, you too will have yourself an excellent pocket money earner whilst helping the planet.”
Art piece
Finally, one of the most imaginative ideas came from Kaylene O’Neill.
“In Melbourne a new sculpture could replace the Yellow Peril. I see a giant metal man made of old TV sets, with each screen reflecting back scenes of consumerism, landfill sites and extreme weather events. I call it Ozymandias Reborn.”
Winner—plans for a solar thermal power station
Damien Blackwell proposed a solar thermal power station be made from old TV components, and created a model to illustrate his idea, along with a poem.
“It’s about time that obsolete, gigajoule guzzling CRT TVs gave some energy back to the grid. My proposal and images explain how!
“With reference to the model solar thermal concentrator: in keeping with the ‘reuse’ theme I’ve incorporated cardboard (cores from foil, egg cartons, tissue boxes), plastics (cream and sauce containers), newsprint and ice cream sticks into the power plant. Other materials you’re likely to note include straws, paper clips, foil and black poly pipe. It’s now the centre of activity for my four-year-old son Oliver, who loves removing the ‘funnel glass mirrors’ and installing them on a private residence nearby. It’s also proving a handy tool to explain electricity generation.”
Beyond Zero Emissions says it’s doable
At just $8 per household per week
To power our country, completely renewable
Solar Thermal Concentrators will manage load at peak
In every idiot box a CRT
With a shiny outside surface
A lens to focus the sun’s energy
Heliostats-funnel glass’s new found purpose
Funnel glass will reflect sunrays
To the Power Tower
Molten salts result by days
Powering steam turbines hour on hour
Every other part will find its niche
In a STC near you
After all 12 are proposed between Carnarvon and Longreach
Giving metals, plastics and glass a chance to ReNew
poem by Damien Blackwell
With thanks
Thank you to everyone who entered the competition, and a special thank you to Enviro Shop who supported the competition by donating a $200 voucher to the winner listed opposite.
More info
If your council doesn’t recycle TVs, look elsewhere. Visit Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You website (www.recyclingnearyou.com.au) and enter your state and product type to find out the options in your area. Get your TVs, fridges and more safely recycled.
This entry was posted on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 at 2:19 pm