Take Action!
Urge Texas Candidates Running for Governor to Pledge Support for TV Recycling Bill
Each year more than 50 million new televisions are sold in the US. Old and new alike, TVs contain a dizzying array of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. With the growing popularity of flat screen TVs, and the switch to digital TV signals now final, the sheer volume of TVs headed to our landfills has gotten out of control. In response, the Texas Legislature overwhelmingly passed a bill that would have required TV manufacturers to provide Texas residents with free and convenient for their used TVs, much like the Computer TakeBack Recycling Law signed by Governor Perry in 2007.
Click here to download a letter to the candidates for Texas Governor!
After receiving over 7,000 personal letters in favor of the TV Recycling Bill and giving no previous indication of opposition, Perry issued a surprising veto on the day before the bill would've gone on the books. In his veto statement, the governor claimed that the bill would unduly burden manufacturers and recyclers -- the very entities who lobbied and testified in favor of the bill! Perry's decision leaves the financial burden for recycling toxic TVs on the shoulders of taxpayers, municipalities or counties and non-profit reuse organizations like Goodwill. The veto also costs Texas "green collar" jobs and inhibits potential economic growth that would accompany a more robust electronics recycling industry.
What You Can Do
Let the Texas candidates running for Governor know that you expect them to take care of Texas, not trash it. Write to the gubernatorial candidates today: Click here for a sample letter.
Click here to read Governor Perry's veto message and TCE's response.
Click here for more information on how to keep your TV out of the landfill.
Who represents me? Find your lawmakers at the Capitol!
Important tips for letter writing:
- Make sure to include your name and address.
- Feel free to use your own words.
- Please send us a copy of any responses you receive. It assists us in tracking our progress.
- If using MS Word, you may need to disable the "Track Changes" option.
Additional tips if you are writing at the request of a canvasser in your neighborhood today:
- Please leave porch light on and leave them on your door by 8:00pm tonight.
- Put your letters in an addressed, stamped envelope.
- Please leave your letters unsealed if you don't mind.
- We can always use extra stamps.
