MERS/Goodwill Will No Longer Accept Televisions

Sept. 30, 2015 - PRLog -- MERS/Goodwill stores and attended donation centers will no longer accept donations of older picture tube (CRT) televisions. Although electronic donations have not been limited in the past, low demand for these older televisions and difficulty in properly recycling them results in little to no sales for MERS/Goodwill stores and has little benefit to the nonprofit’s community programs.

“We remain committed to accepting gently used computer donations and other electronics,” said Lewis C. Chartock, Ph.D., President and CEO of MERS/Goodwill. “All efforts to recycle used goods keep material out of our landfills and help our stores generate revenue to advance our mission and programs.”

Televisions are considered “Universal Electronic Waste,” which has a regulated and more complicated recycling process than other items such as computers. Due to the digital TV transition, MERS/Goodwill has seen a lull in economic benefits from television donations. In 2014, half a million dollars was spent in labor and transportation costs required for recycling. A significant amount invested into recycling older televisions would better benefit the programs provided to the community.

“Community donations provide the opportunity for those with barriers to employment to work towards the goals needed to excel at the maximum level of productivity in one’s personal life and employment,” remarked Chartock. “We plan to put more funds and efforts into our programs with the savings that recycling a television will release.”

MERS/Goodwill will accept flat panel televisions, computers, and computer peripherals (e.g., mouse, keyboard, etc.) as donations, as well as phones (home and cell), clocks, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, AV equipment including cable and satellite boxes, and other devices with a cord, plug or battery.

For more information on recycling televisions, please visit the Missouri Department of Natural Resources website (http://dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/electronics/recyclerlist.htm) where a list of other locations that may recycle televisions can be found online.

About MERS/Goodwill
MERS/Goodwill is a nonprofit agency that provides for the vocational needs of individuals who have barriers to employment through disability or economic disadvantage. Annually serving more than 60,000 individuals, the organization operates in 75 locations serving 74 counties in the bi-state area. Revenues from 42 Goodwill stores assist with funding MERS/Goodwill job training and employment services. MERS/Goodwill is a proud member of the United Way. For more information about MERS/Goodwill or to find a Goodwill donation center near you, call 314-241-3464 or visit www.mersgoodwill.org.