Heritage Queenstown is installing new 40-inch and 46-inch LED televisions in its suites as part of its biggest refurbishment since it opened in 1996.
The Qualmark Enviro Gold hotel got rid of furniture in a garage sale and suitable bedding was given to charity but, as the switch to digital transmission is imminent, there is no demand for old TVs.
Heritage maintenance manager Alan Crawshay, who manages the hotel's sustainability programmes, looked into finding a way to dispose of the televisions in an environmentally responsible way.
"We take our Qualmark Enviro Gold rating seriously and were concerned about the problem of what to do with the old televisions," Mr Crawshay said.
"So far through the refurbishment not a single item has gone to landfill and we didn't want that to change in disposing of the TVs.
"We know how toxic TVs are in landfill, so we were prepared to pay for a responsible alternative and we were pleased to find a local RCN e-Cycle site to assist."
The first truck load of 40 TVs was picked up by Wanaka Wastebusters staff from the hotel in Fernhill and taken to the RCN e-Cycle depot last Friday. The remaining 160 TVs will be deposited in batches from now until Christmas.
Wastebusters spokeswoman Gina Dempster said the community-owned enterprise was "delighted to see Heritage Queenstown taking a leadership role for the hospitality industry in dealing with the problem of old TVs".
"They contain flame retardant chemicals and about two kilos of lead each, so it is potentially hazardous to put them straight into landfill."
Wakatipu households can recycle TVs and computers at the RCN e-Cycle depot at the Wakatipu Transfer Station, Glenda Dr. The Queenstown charge ranges from $20 for a TV down to $5 for a desktop box.
Businesses can arrange a pickup for large quantities by calling Wanaka Wastebusters on (03) 443-8606 extension 5.
