Manufacturers

None of our calls to manufacturers resulted in a recycling solution to our old TV.

LG
We called LG to find out what we could do with an LG set that had come to the end of its life. The customer service rep said the company didn't take back old TVs. And no suggestions were offered for where else we could take the appliance. The rep didn't give any hint she knew about the e-Cycle sites (see e-Cycle sites).

Panasonic
The green claims on Panasonic's website made us mildly optimistic that the company might have a recycling solution for our old telly. Panasonic pledges it "will practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and the protection of the environment". The customer service rep suggested we could drop off the TV at the company's Auckland office in East Tamaki. But when we explained we were calling from Wellington, the rep couldn't offer a solution.

Samsung
Samsung's website also boasts the company's green credentials. Samsung claims it aims "to consider [our] impact on the environment first as we continue to work, develop, engineer and design innovative products and solutions to inspire and satisfy our customers". But we were left decidedly unsatisfied when we asked about recycling a Samsung TV. The customer service rep suggested we try Samsung's Auckland repair centre. But the repair centre said it only did repairs and didn't take back old sets.

Sharp
Sharp New Zealand says its policy "is to achieve a high standard of environmental care in conducting our business". The customer service rep told us Sharp doesn't have a recycling scheme for TVs but it was "implementing one". The rep didn't know when the scheme would be running. If our old Sharp TV was still working, she suggested putting it on Trade Me or ringing a church group to see if they wanted it. When we explained the TV had died, she didn't have any suggestions.

Sony
Not to be outdone in the green claims stakes, Sony's website states the company is committed to "environmentally sound business practices" and "aims to achieve eco-efficiency in its business activities". When we called to ask whether the company could take back an old Sony TV, the customer service rep told us it didn't provide a recycling service. She suggested we ring the local council for advice on what to do with it.