Our Environment

If you have not made the switch to HDTV, then you probably know someone who has or you have at least made a trip to your local bar or pub to watch the Monday night game in high definition. Remarkably, even though HDTV’s average a larger screen size than the previous generation of televisions, they require less materials to build and have a smaller foot print on the environment when they have reached the end of their life-cycle.

The European Union has already developed a program to “Eco-label” HDTV’s and it has been successful in setting the standard for eco-friendly manufacturers around the world.

Requirements for the EU Eco-label for television sets include:
* Consumption on standby below 1 watt
* Low electricity consumption when in use
* Recommendations for correct environmentally-conscious usage
* Designed for higher durability and materials with better recycling ability
* Availability of electronic replacement parts for at least seven years after the end of production

HDTV can be broadcast through a special subscription with your local cable provider. Many, however, do not realize that you can receive HD signals free of charge using a traditional tv antenna. Unlike the antennas used by our parents, new antennas are made from lighter, more resilient and more environmentally friendly materials.

For more information on receiving free HDTV, check out the Boston Globe free hdtv article.