Disposal costs prompt Goodwill to stop accepting TVs

While it would like to keep them out of the landfill, used televisions no longer will be accepted at Goodwill of the Heartland stores and donation centers in southeastern Iowa and the Quad Cities after July 1.

The Iowa City-based not-for-profit organization has racked up $150,000 in TV disposal costs over the first five months of this year after its recycling partner dropped the service it offered to pay for recycling televisions, according to Dana Engelbert, Goodwill vice president of marketing.

"With the cost of new televisions decreasing dramatically over the last several years, people are just not interested in buying a used, non-high definition TV," Engelbert said.

"If there was demand for the used sets, we wouldn't have the disposal costs. Our priority is fulfilling our mission of helping individuals overcome barriers to independence.

"Television disposal costs represent a significant amount that could be reinvested in programs that address the needs of people we serve," she said.

Jason Toms, vice president of retail operations at Goodwill, said the agency continues to review options for recycling televisions that are less expensive, safer and environmentally sound.

Goodwill of the Heartland continues to accept computer monitors and other related electronics gear, thanks to a partnership with the Dell Reconnect Program that pays the agency to recycle that equipment with a zero-landfill partner.

Engelbert said the change regarding accepting televisions applies to the agency's stores in Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City, Marion, Bettendorf, Burlington, Clinton, Davenport, Fairfield, Moline, Muscatine, Rock Island and Washington. The donation centers are in Cedar Rapids and DeWitt.

Jennifer Jordan, recycling coordinator at the Iowa City landfill, said the landfill recycles televisions daily for a fee between $5 and $10, depending on the size of the television. No appointment is required, and the televisions can be brought in during business hours.

The landfill recently has acquired the ability to recycle "anything with a plug" -- including toasters and vacuum cleaners --  as it recycles through its partnership with Midwest Electronic Recovery in Cedar Rapids, she said.

The Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency offers free electronics recycling or e-cycling to Linn County residents at both of its locations: 2250 A St. SW in Cedar Rapids and 1954 County Home Rd. in Marion.

Televisions, VCRs, DVD players, satellite dishes, stereos and MP3 players are accepted.

-- Hayley Bruce added to this story