Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced various ways for residents to properly dispose of unusable televisions before and after the federally mandated shutdown of television channels analog signals and the transition to digital television (DTV) on June 12, 2009.

Boston residents can either call the Mayor’s 24-hour hotline at (617) 635-4500 or send an email to trashtvcrt@cityofboston.gov to schedule a curbside pickup or they can drop their televisions off themselves at any Boston public works yard on June 20 and June 27 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

• 400 Frontage Rd, Boston, MA 02118
• 160 Hancock St., Dorchester, MA 02124
• 315 Western Ave., Brighton, MA 02135
• 315 Gardner St., W. Roxbury, MA 02132
• 58 Gibson St., Dorchester, MA 02125
• 58 Dana Ave., Hyde Park, MA 02136
• 320 E. Eagle St., E. Boston, MA 02128
• 280 Highland St., Roxbury, MA. 02119

"We have reached out to residents about the DTV Transition through a number of venues over the past 18 months,” said Mayor Menino. “We are prepared to properly dispose of whatever televisions are no longer usable and I strongly encourage residents to either call my hotline or drop off their unwanted televisions at one of the public works yards. Televisions and other electronics are extremely dangerous to the environment and the City’s recycling program is well equipped and prepared to handle their disposal."

Tomorrow, the City is also hosting a free electronics recycling event at the Bayside Expo Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents can drop off any unwanted electronic item except for air conditioners, dehumidifiers, washers, dryers, stoves or refrigerators.

To continue to receive television signals beyond the June 12th transition date, consumers who do not subscribe to cable or satellite television, but who receive free, broadcast-only TV reception have three options:

• Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. If residents choose this option, they should remember to call the Mayor’s 24-hour hotline for home pickup of your old TV or monitor.
• Purchase a set-top converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set. If residents choose this option, they can apply to the federal government for up to two $40 coupons that can be used toward the purchase of these boxes. For more information about the coupon program or to apply, go to www.DTV2009.gov or call (888) DTV-2009.
• Subscribe to cable or satellite television service provider, in which case analog sets will continue to function. Boston Seniors can purchase Comcast Basic Service for only $5.00 a month. Residents with any issues should call the Mayor’s Cable Office for assistance at (617) 635-3112.