You're staring at that bulky old TV gathering dust in the basement. Maybe it finally gave up the ghost last week, or maybe you upgraded to a shiny new 4K model. Now you've got this electronic albatross around your neck and one burning question: where to take old TVs around here?
I've been there too. Last year, I inherited my grandma's ancient 32-inch CRT beast that weighed more than my dog. Tried donating it - three charities turned me down flat. Almost resorted to leaving it curbside until I learned about the $500 fines in my city. Took me weeks to finally figure out a legit solution.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We'll cover every practical option for TV disposal, including:
- Free and paid recycling locations near you
- Retailer take-back programs you probably didn't know about
- How to score cash for that dinosaur TV
- What happens when you just dump it illegally (spoiler: bad things)
- State-by-state rule differences that'll surprise you
Why You Absolutely Should NOT Trash That Television
Look, I get the temptation to just chuck it in the dumpster at 2 AM. Seems easier than researching places to take old TVs, right? But here's why that's terrible:
That old Sony in your garage contains up to 8 pounds of lead. Yeah, LEAD. Plus mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. When TVs rot in landfills, these toxins seep into groundwater. One tube TV pollutes 20,000 gallons of water. Scary stuff.
Legally? 25 states (including California, New York, and Pennsylvania) ban TVs from landfills completely. My cousin Mike learned this the hard way when he left his broken Toshiba curbside in Philly. Came home to a $350 ticket on his door.
Your Complete Menu of TV Disposal Options
Retailer Take-Back Programs (The Lazy Person's Solution)
Big box stores often take old TVs off your hands when you buy a new one. Best Buy's program is surprisingly robust - they'll take up to 3 devices per household daily. But watch the fees:
| Retailer | TV Size Accepted | Cost | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | All sizes (under 50") | $30 fee for TVs | Must remove stand; tube TVs require store drop-off |
| Staples | Under 40" | Free | No tube TVs; limit 7 items/day |
| Dell | Any brand under 50" | Free shipping label | Online registration required |
Honestly? Staples is great for smaller flatscreens if you've got one nearby. But Best Buy's fee structure annoys me - why charge $30 when they'll resell components?
Manufacturer Recycling Programs
Many brands run their own take-back initiatives. Samsung and LG offer free mail-back programs, while Sony has drop-off partners. But there's a catch:
Pro Tip: Manufacturers usually only accept their OWN brands. My neighbor tried returning a Vizio to Sony's program. Got rejected faster than a Netflix pilot.
Local Electronics Recycling Centers
These are my top choice for responsible disposal. Certified e-waste facilities dismantle TVs properly. Find them through:
- Earth911's recycling locator (just type "TV recycling near me")
- Your county waste management website
- Call2Recycle.org's zip code search
Costs vary wildly though. My local center charges $25 for flatscreens but $45 for tube TVs. Some places offer free days - check their calendar!
Municipal Hazardous Waste Facilities
Most counties run HHW (Household Hazardous Waste) collection sites. They're usually free for residents but require proof of address. Hours can be limited though - mine's only open Thursdays 7am-1pm. Good luck if you work 9-to-5.
Charity Donations (Only if It Works!)
Places like Goodwill still take functioning TVs. But call first! Policies changed post-COVID. Local homeless shelters often need working TVs too. Just donated a 40" LG to our women's shelter last month.
Important: Charities WILL reject TVs with cracked screens or dead pixels. Save yourself the trip - test it first!
Selling or Giving It Away
Believe it or not, people still buy "vintage" electronics. Where my old tube TV went:
- Facebook Marketplace: Listed my 2004 Panasonic for $20. Sold in 3 hours to a retro gamer
- Freecycle: Great for quick pickups (no money exchanged)
- eBay: For rare or high-end models (a 1995 Sony Trinitron sold for $399!)
Craigslist works too but... I avoid it after a sketchy "buyer" stood me up twice.
Key Factors That Determine Where to Take Your Old TV
Is It Functioning?
Working TVs have WAY more options. Broken ones? Basically recycling or scrap only.
Screen Size and Weight Matters
That 65" plasma? Good luck fitting it in your Prius. Many programs reject TVs over 50". Tube TVs over 27" often require special handling.
Fee Structures - What You'll Actually Pay
Costs depend heavily on three things:
- TV type (CRT tubes always cost more)
- Your location (urban vs rural)
- Program type (retail vs municipal)
Here's a real-world cost comparison from my research:
| Disposal Method | Average Cost for CRT TV | Average Cost for Flatscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Retailer Drop-Off | $25-$40 | $25-$30 |
| Recycling Center | $15-$50 | $10-$25 |
| Municipal Facility | FREE (usually) | FREE (usually) |
| Scrapyard | $0 (they pay YOU) | $0 (they pay YOU) |
The Data Security Wildcard
Smart TVs store search histories and login cookies. Factory reset it! My friend's Vizio got hacked because he forgot to wipe Netflix credentials.
Prep Steps Nobody Tells You About
- Remove ALL cables (power cords often recycled separately)
- Detach stands/mounts (most facilities require this)
- Wipe it down (you wouldn't hand over a dusty relic, right?)
- Call ahead for size restrictions (learned this after hauling a 55" to a 40"-max facility)
The Recycling Process: What Actually Happens?
Ever wonder where your TV goes after drop-off? Certified recyclers:
- Remove hazardous materials (lead glass, mercury bulbs)
- Shred plastics/metals for raw material recovery
- Extract precious metals (gold from circuit boards!)
Approximately 86% of TV components get recycled. The rest becomes energy through waste-to-heat processes.
Your Local "Where to Take Old TVs" Toolkit
Finding hyper-local options:
- Earth911.org - Enter ZIP + "television"
- Call2Recycle - Special focus on batteries but great for e-waste
- Municipal hotlines - Dial 311 in most cities
Pro tip: Search "[Your County] + e-waste recycling" for direct facility lists.
The Drop-Off Experience: What to Expect
Having recycled 8 TVs in five years (I run a tech repair side gig), here's how it typically goes:
You pull into an industrial park. There's usually a warehouse bay open with labeled bins. Staff will direct you to:
- Drive onto a scale (for fee calculation)
- Unload in designated TV area
- Pay at the booth (cash/card accepted)
Whole process takes under 10 minutes. Bring help for heavy units!
Your Burning "Where to Take Old TVs" Questions Answered
Q: Can I recycle TVs for free anywhere?
A: Yes! Many municipal programs are taxpayer-funded. Also check retailer events - Best Buy does free recycling weekends quarterly.
Q: My TV screen is cracked - can I still recycle it?
A: Absolutely. Recycling centers handle broken units. Expect to pay the same fee as working models though.
Q: Are there pickup services for heavy TVs?
A: Some cities offer bulk pickup (check your trash utility's website). Private junk haulers charge $75-$150. EcoATM kiosks take smaller TVs under 40".
Q: Will anyone pay ME for an old TV?
A: Scrapyards buy tube TVs for copper yokes. Expect $2-$15 depending on size. Rare vintage models (like wood-grain Zeniths) can fetch $100+ on eBay.
Q: How do I transport a giant TV safely?
A> Wrap it in moving blankets, screen toward your car seats. Never lay flat screens horizontally! I use ratchet straps to secure them upright.
Final thought? Finding where to take old TVs feels overwhelming initially. But once you navigate the options, it's surprisingly straightforward. My last TV drop-off took 12 minutes start-to-finish. Worth it knowing those toxic metals won't poison some landfill. Now go reclaim your basement!
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