TV zombies consume Capitol in gratitude

AUSTIN (KXAN) - TV zombies descended on the Capitol to thank legislators for their work in helping to alleviate the environment from the estimated millions of televisions that will need to be recycled with the DTV switch.

"These toxic teles will not have to haunt us and future generations with their toxic material," said Robin Schneider with the Texas Campaign for the Environment.

With only 15 days until the transition and almost 5 percent of Austinites unprepared for the switch, many are opting to purchase a new television rather than convert an old set. Each television has 4- to 8 pounds of lead, and Schneider estimates more than 8 million TVs will need to be recycled with the DTV switch.

The Texas Legislature helped the process by passing a bill Wednesday requiring manufacturers to provide free television recycling, aiming to make it easier for people to dispose of old TVs.

Sen. Kirk Watson sponsored Rep. David Leibowitz's Television TakeBack bill. Along with many environmental agencies, television manufacturers stepped up to tackle the recycling issue.

"We're very happy the producers came on board and were willing to take up the issue and provide a way for it to be done- convenient and free, which is a key to making sure it's actually done," said Maia Corbitt, executive director of the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling.

The Goodwill Industries of Central Texas said the bill will also allow nonprofit organizations that currently recycle TVs to allocate more funding to other areas.

Goodwill formed an alliance with the electronic recycling company MRM in Austin in November 2008 and said they will accept any working or nonworking Panasonic, Sharp or Toshiba televisions for recycling.