How to Dispose of Television Sets

Last Updated: September 20, 2022 References

Unfortunately, old televisions sets can't be left by the curb with your normal trash for pickup. Old TVs contain harmful chemicals and parts that need to be safely dealt with by professionals. Instead of throwing your TV in the trash, you can recycle it at a recycling center or participating electronics store. You can also sell or donate TVs that work to those who will still enjoy them!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Recycling Your TV

1
Call your waste disposal company to find a recycling site. Most states have laws preventing you from leaving TVs and other electronics outside for trash pickup, because electronics can contain hazardous materials.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist
Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.} Some individual companies also have rules against this type of disposal. However, most waste companies give paying customers the option of dropping off old TVs at a site for recycling.^{[2]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- Depending on the company, you may need to show a driver's license or utility bill to gain access to the site.
- Most of these centers accept TVs and other e-waste items, such as cameras, small appliances, cell phones, CD players, and photocopiers.
2
Look for a recycling program in your area. Many cities and towns have pick-up or drop-off options for electronics and other large items. They may give you one day per month to take your TV to a specific spot in town. Some cities may even pick up your old (extremely heavy) TVs from your home.
- Go to your town or county's website to look for this information. There may be a recycling center in your town that specifically deals with electronic waste where you can drop off your TV.
- Be sure the recycling program you choose is E-Steward certified. That way, you can be confident that they're qualified to handle the hazardous waste that can be found in television sets.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kathryn Kellogg
  Sustainability Specialist
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.}
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3
Call BestBuy to get rid of your old TV. In the United States, BestBuy is the only major retailer that picks up and recycles old TVs. They charge a fee for this service, and they limit you to getting rid of 2 TVs per family per day.^{[4]
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- Unfortunately, BestBuy doesn't accept all TVs, especially if they're super big. Call the store to see if your TV qualifies.
- You can also drop the TV off at the store to avoid paying BestBuy's “haul-away fee.” If you buy a new TV from them, this fee is pretty minimal. For non-customers, it's about $100.
4
Return the used television to the manufacturer. Some manufacturers will accept your old television set and recycle it themselves. Contact the manufacturer to see if your TV qualifies for this service. You may even get a little money back in return for your old TV!^{[5]
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- Usually, you'll need to find the nearest drop-off site by looking online or talking to a representative on the phone. Be sure to follow the company's guidelines for proper recycling.
- Remember that in addition to the TV, you'll want to recycle your receiver.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Donating or Selling Your TV

1
Check to make sure your TV works before you donate or sell it. Don't give away or sell a broken TV! It's not fair to whoever you pass it on to next, as they'll then be the ones stuck with getting rid of it. Look over all the plugs and ensure that all the buttons and features are good to go.
- If your TV isn't working at all, you may be able to sell or donate it to a local theater or school to use as a prop in their plays.
2
Ask friends and family members if they want the TV. Your easiest option is to hand off your old TV to someone you know. They'll likely help you move it or pick it up themselves, and they'll be excited to have a TV to enjoy for years to come.
3
Donate the television to a nonprofit agency. If the TV still works well, donate it! Someone else will surely appreciate it, and it's actually better for the environment to reuse electronics for as long as they last than to recycle them.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- Check with local community centers, schools, homeless shelters, churches, and nursing homes to see if any of these spots could use the TV. They could also have programs for delivering TVs to families in need of one.
- National agencies such as Salvation Army and Goodwill have programs for taking in and re-selling old electronics and TVs.
4
Sell the television set online. Lots of big retailers, including Amazon, BestBuy, and Target, will buy back TVs and other electronics. Look on the stores' websites to see if your TV qualifies for buyback. You can also sell your TV yourself by listing it on Facebook Marketplace or advertising it on eBay or Craigslist.^{[7]
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- Facebook Marketplace is a popular, user-friendly choice with the option to pick-up. Shipping the TV once you've sold it on eBay could be pretty difficult, while Craigslist customers almost always pick up their own purchases.
5
Sell the TV in a garage sale if you want to clean out your house. If you're already having a big garage sale, put your TV out on your lawn! Especially if your TV is older, set the price low. Remember, the goal is to get rid of it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Transporting Your TV

1
Find transportation to drop off your TV if there's no pick-up option. The hardest part of getting rid of your old TV is getting it in a truck and lugging it around town. Since most recycling centers and manufacturers make you drop off your own item, you'll need a big vehicle if you have a large TV.
- If you have your own pick-up truck, the TV will likely fit in the bed. If you only have a tiny sedan, ask around to see if a friend has a larger vehicle you can borrow for a day. As a last resort, you may need to rent a truck.
2
Enlist some friends to get some extra muscle. Offer a friend or two some pizza in return for helping you move your old TV. You'll need the extra hands. Once the job is done, you can relax in front of your new TV!
3
Stand close to the TV to get ready to pick it up. Don't stand more than 1 foot (0.30 m) from the old TV. Your legs should be shoulder-width apart. This is a nice strong stance that'll help you stay balanced as you lift the heavy item.^{[8]
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4
Bend your knees to lift the item safely. You should never bend over from the waist to lift heavy items. Squat down, keeping your back straight. This will allow you to lift with your legs and avoid straining your back muscles.^{[9]
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5
Get a grip on the bottom corners of the TV. Lift up one side of the TV at a time. Slip your fingers safely under the lifted sides. If you're working in a team, be sure to communicate with one another.^{[10]
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- Make one person the spotter by positioning them in front of the TV to steady it as you lift each side.
6
Straighten your legs to lift the TV. All the weight should be in your legs. If you feel a strain in your back, put the TV back down and reposition yourself. Once you've got it lifted, either walk the TV to the truck or move it to a wheeled dolly.^{[11]
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- Wheeled dollies will make moving the TV from spot to spot much easier. If you're working without a dolly, you can also use an old blanket to slide the TV across surfaces.
- The spotter should continue to steady the TV once you transfer to it a dolly or start walking by keeping a hand on the center of the item.

Expert Q&A

Question

What should I know about recycling a TV?

Kathryn Kellogg
Sustainability Specialist
Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic.

Kathryn Kellogg

Sustainability Specialist

Expert Answer

Look for a company that's E-Stewards certified. That way, you don't have to worry about the illegal trade or the social and environmental hazards of e-waste dumping.
Question

What not to put in a dumpster?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

There are various things you should not put in a dumpster, including: Hazardous waste, paints and solvents, pesticides, fuel such as oil and gas, tires or car batteries, all batteries, anything that can be recycled and light bulbs. It is also important to check with your dumpster company for any other things that are not permitted. For example, some dumpsters permit electronics and appliances while others cannot accept them due to local regulations on e-waste. Garden and yard waste depends on the company and local laws.
Question

How much is 1 800 GOT JUNK?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Realizing that prices change and depend on load type and size, in general, it will cost anywhere between $150 and $600. Check the company's website or call their customer service for confirmation; have an estimate of the size of what you want them to take away before calling, to assist with an accurate estimation.