TV Recycling Protest

Cynthia Izaguirre reports

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DALLAS — With just three months remaining until the nation's transition to digital television, manufacturers of old analog TVs got a ghoulish recycling report card.

The Texas Campaign for the Environment says more than half of the 17 companies ranked by the group scored a failing grade because they have no recycling programs in place.

Members of the group marched in Dallas Monday dressed as zombie-like "dead" TVs to emphasize their point.

Sony received the highest grade — a "B-minus" — based on its pioneering a national "takeback" program for old receivers.

Funai, Hitachi, JVC, Mitsubishi, Philips, Thomson, Vizio, Target and Sanyo all recieived an "F" because they have failed to establish any voluntary recycling program.

Manufacturers were graded on things like the size and scope of their program and how committed they are to recycling products responsibly.

The digital switch will occur on February 17, 2009. That's when full-power TV stations will cease analog transmissions and viewers who don't have cable or satellite service will need either a digital-capable TV set or a digital TV converter box to continue to watch free TV.