CRTs - To break or not to break

[RD5]

There is a lot of misconception and false facts surrounding scrapping CRT(Cathode Ray Tube)Televisions. Since the only trustworthy people I can go to for sure is realcent. I have about 10 computer monitors/televisions in the scrap area and it is getting larger. I've heard A LOT of things about CRTs exploding (or what I would believe is imploding). I was wondering if I should keep all of these tubes intact before I go recycle them completely. What should I do? Break or not break?

[hobo finds]

By me you can drop off the tubes at Goodwill for recycling. You can remove all the good stuff and then re seal the plastic case, and they will take them. Do not break the tube. http://reconnectpartnership.com/items.php

[Tantalar]

with precision skill, you should be able to harvest the copper out of it without having to break the tube. While breaking the tube might be quicker and easier for you, it is more harmful to you, and less responsible and is just a jerk thing to do. I am lucky that there is a spot around me that takes them for free. Now that it is a state law in many states and probably now federal law, it's one thing that is actually good for scrappers for a change.

[RD5]

Yeah, I've taken them all off without breaking, I was just concerned if this imploding thing was true.

[Hades12]

They pop real good, and sometimes throw glass.

I do not break the unless I am putting them in the trash can.

[RD5]

So they would only pop if they were dropped or something like that? I might just break'm just in case.

[Hades12]

The front glass is real tough and will not just break from a short drop. has to hit the rear to break easy.

[Robarons]

Is the tube something that might hold a charge? I heard TV's and computers can give you a nasty shock if they still hold a charge

[hobo finds]

Don't break them!
The CRT or cathode-ray tube monitor contains 4 lbs. of lead and smaller amounts of cadmium and mercury

[Dr. Cadmium]

Short answer: don't break the tubes. Don't even take these things apart.

Long answer:

CRT recycling is regulated at the federal level and by many state governments.

In many states, dismantling CRTs for scrap is illegal unless you have a specially licensed facility. This is because of the hazards involved, mainly:

1) the risk of electric shock (capacitor discharge)
2) risk of the tube imploding
3) disposal of the glass tubes, which are hazardous waste

The glass in CRTs contains lead, and many computer monitor tubes also have barium in them. When one of these tubes breaks, it emits a cloud of contaminated glass dust into the air. This is not something you or anyone else should be breathing in.

While the front screen portion of a tube is very resistant to cracking, the rear portion normally housed inside the device is surprisingly fragile, and pulling or pushing on a component near the neck can suddenly pop the whole tube. Some televisions also have the yoke glued to the neck with epoxy, so they are impossible to remove safely without heat.

With all the ways to make money scrapping, I would recommend avoiding CRTs. When you factor in the regulations, hazards, labor, and small amount of metal produced versus the large amount of trash they are not worth it to the small time scrapper. Companies that make money recycling them legally are doing high volume and getting recycling credits from the manufacturers. The refurbish/resale market for most CRTs is nearly dead.

There have been several posts here regarding "tricks" for dealing with CRTs. One was to charge a small processing or recycling fee per unit to the customer and then take them to Best Buy for recycling, pay $10 each to recycle them and in return receive a $10 gift card.