LCD monitors are rapidly replacing the old cathode ray tube (CRT) type monitors. LCD displays (a.k.a. TFT, or flat panel) use substantially less electricity; a typical CRT uses more energy whilst on standby than a LCD does when switched on. Other advantages are that LCDs have a fraction of the weight of CRTs, and they require a lot less desk space. These are the factors that are driving the heavy, clunky CRTs out of the market.
With all the electricity you save, you might think that you are being environmentally friendly by switching to a LCD. However, there are some dos and don’ts to minimise the environmental impact on getting rid of your CRT screen. Just chucking it in the regular trash means that it will end up buried in a landfill site. CRT monitors contain heavy metals such as lead, which you should avoid sending to landfill at all costs. It will poison the water supply and this takes many decades to be reversed.
Many people think that CRTs are so old hat that you can’t even give them away, but this is not strictly true. Photographers on a budget are big fans of the CRT monitor, since it is able to display colours very accurately. LCD screens are notorious for there inferior colour and contrast performance.
I have heard horror stories which clearly illustrate the shortcomings of LCD screens. One of the worst cases I have heard about was from a professional photographer who was using an iMac with an LCD screen. He had spent the best part of a whole day retouching a photo in Photoshop and had finally got it just the way he wanted. When the photo was printed, the result was nothing like he expected – it looked far too dark. It turned out that he had the display angle just slightly wrong and so it looked brighter than it actually was. This sort of problem would never have happened on a CRT screen.
One of the best ways of shifting a CRT monitor is to list it on Freecycle.org. You won’t be able to get any money for it, because only free listings are allowed. On the other hand, your screen will be going to a good home and it will be collected from your doorstep at your own convenience. As a very last resort, take your monitor to your local recycling centre. They will ensure that it is disposed of responsibly.
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