Get Rid Of Old Sets Responsibly

Television sets that will become obsolete with last weeks switch to all-digital broadcasts can only be disposed at approved locations.

A 17-inch television with a cathode ray tube typically contains about two pounds of lead, a known toxic substance. Larger sets may contain as much as 10 pounds of lead.

To avoid polluting the soil and groundwater, the state Department of Toxic Substances Control has banned disposing of televisions in landfills, and ruled that they should instead be taken to centers approved to accept electronic waste.

The Sanitation Bureau will leave flyers on recycling and trash containers with the locations of the approved centers in Los Angeles. The locations are also listed on the city’s Web site, www.lacity.org.

Here is a list of locations in Los Angeles where television sets can be disposed and their hours of operations:

• 7660 W. Imperial Highway
  Playa Del Rey
  Saturdays and Sundays
  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• UCLA
  550 Charles E. Young Drive West
  Saturdays
  8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• 4600 Colorado Blvd.
  Atwater Village
  Saturdays and Sundays
  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• 11025 Randall St.
  Sun Valley
  Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays
  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.