Disposal Costs Prompts Goodwill to Stop Accepting Televisions

By George Ford, Reporter

A Goodwill sign outside of one of Goodwill's Iowa City facilities. Tuesday, November 29, 2011. (Matt Nelson/SourceMedia Group News)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jun 19, 2012 at 10:56 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 19, 2012 at 10:56 AM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - While it would like to keep them out of the landfill, used televisions will no longer 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 non-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, vice president of marketing at Goodwill.

"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."

Goodwill’s retail revenues support the programs that help those working to 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," Engelbert 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; and donation centers in Cedar Rapids and DeWitt.

Consumers should contact their local waste management provider or landfill for recycling options.

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.

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