The Green Side of LCD TVs

by: Sarah Maple
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Word Count: 521

We're slowly getting better at it. Every other Tuesday increasing numbers of black boxes line the roads, filled with paper, bottles and cans. More of us use energy saving light bulbs. And, at least no one laughs these days at the idea of recycled toilet paper.

It's a start I guess. Is it enough? Probably not, it's hard to ignore the newspaper headlines – climate change is happening, and, trying to reduce the amount we throw away and consume is ever more important. The real culprits work at national and international level, but, without meaning to sound righteous, that's no reason not to try and play our part. Although recycling in the UK has quadrupled in the past 10 years, and there are higher targets to reduce the amount of waste placed in landfill sites, it still sometimes feels like a drop in the (rising) ocean.

Looking around the house, I know that despite all my best efforts to recycle, reuse, and not driving a car, I'm probably not making the carbon tiptoe that I'd like to. This period of introspection has been prompted largely because my TV broke down. Kaput. Gone.

Perhaps, I thought, I could look for an energy efficient way of replacing it? Buying second hand was the most obvious option, the ultimate in recycling. However, my contribution to landfill as a result of only ever having bought old TVs is pretty alarming, as they're already on their way out when I get hold of them.

So, I started looking into energy efficient options for new TVs. Given that TVs are pretty much prerequisite in every home in the Western world, the statistics for energy use are scary; in the UK we waste over one billion pounds keeping appliances on standby alone. My research was interesting though, because it seems that if I buy an LCD TV, it will use 50% less power than other types.

I'd discounted them as an option, thinking that they were too modern and hi-tech to be anything but power guzzlers. Apparently not though. It seems that they use less energy, emit less radiation and I get a slinky, bigger picture. This all seemed to be too good to be true – probably way beyond my budget. Wrong again, now the initial novelty is over, it seems that buying an LCD TV isn't going to cost much more. I found the best deals online and it seems that unless, of course, I go for a super size one, it's a viable option.

So, now I've done the research, placed an order and am just waiting for delivery. My TV free evenings left me wondering if there was anything more creative and eco-friendly to do with the old broken set.

Turning it into a fish tank appealed, but I don't really like fish.

I've gone, instead, for the ultimate green option. Filled it with earth and planted flowers in it. I have to say that it has brought a whole new meaning to the idea of watching TV!

About the Author

Sarah Maple uses Shopping.com to find LCD TV stands at the best prices!

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