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Sell, give away, or donate a working TV; recycle a broken flat-panel TV through a dedicated e-waste program; and contact local authorities before handling a CRT or tube set. The correct option also depends on screen size, location, fees, and whether you need pickup rather than drop-off.
The best way to get rid of an old TV depends on two things: whether it still works and what type of TV it is. Sell, give away, donate, or trade in a working set. Send a broken flat-panel TV through a dedicated electronics-recycling program. Treat a CRT or tube TV as a special case because older sets can contain substantial amounts of lead and may require special handling.
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Do not put a television in your curbside recycling bin unless your local recycling authority explicitly says it accepts TVs. Do not leave one at the curb without confirming that your municipality offers television or large-item collection.
Choose the right option
| TV condition | Best next step | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Working and reasonably current | Sell it, give it away, donate it, or ask about a retailer trade-in | Confirm the recipient accepts televisions and disclose the actual condition |
| Working but obsolete | Donate, give away, or recycle it | Many charities do not accept every size or type of television |
| Broken LCD, LED, OLED, plasma, or projection TV | Use a municipal e-waste program, retailer, manufacturer program, or licensed electronics recycler | Ask whether damaged screens are accepted and whether there is a fee |
| CRT or tube TV | Contact your local solid-waste or household-hazardous-waste authority first | Do not assume a general electronics drop-off accepts CRTs |
| Very large or difficult to move | Arrange retailer haul-away, municipal pickup, or professional e-waste removal | Verify the service area, size limit, price, and whether indoor removal is included |
First, identify the TV
Before searching for a disposal site, record the TV’s:
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- Important: Watch the video and learn the”Designed for" details listed below!
- Designed for concrete, brick and wood studs wall (single stud).
- Designed for TVs up to 80 lbs (36.3 KG) and display sized 26" - 55" (66 CM - 140 CM).
- Designed for VESA sized from 3.9'' x 3.9'' through 15.7'' x 15.7''.
- Comfortable View with tilt range from +10° to -5°.
- Brand and model number
- Screen size, measured diagonally
- Technology: CRT, plasma, LCD, LED, OLED, or projection
- Working status, including whether the screen, speakers, inputs, remote, and power cord work
- Approximate weight and dimensions
A tube-shaped television with a deep cabinet is a CRT (cathode-ray-tube) set. A thin television is usually a flat-panel model, but thickness alone does not tell you whether it is LCD, LED, OLED, or plasma. The distinction matters because collection programs often impose different rules on CRTs, plasma sets, large screens, and damaged units.
If the TV still works
Reuse is usually the better first choice for a functional TV. You can:
- Sell it locally. List the brand, model, screen size, age, included accessories, and any faults. State that the buyer can test it, if practical. Local demand varies considerably, so there is no reliable universal resale price.
- Give it away. A neighborhood group, community organization, school, or personal contact may want an older set, but confirm acceptance before arranging transport.
- Donate it. Call first. Charities may reject televisions because of size, age, limited resale value, damaged screens, or a lack of storage and testing capacity.
- Ask the retailer about trade-in or take-back. Availability, eligible brands, screen sizes, and locations vary. A trade-in is not automatically available just because a retailer sells televisions.
If a working TV has little resale value, donating it is not necessarily easier than recycling it. Ask about pickup, accepted models, fees, and whether the organization provides a donation receipt before moving the set.
Erase your accounts before donating or selling a smart TV
A smart TV may store streaming profiles, Wi-Fi details, app logins, payment information, viewing history, or other personal data. Before it leaves your home:
- Sign out of every streaming, app-store, and media account.
- Remove saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings.
- Delete downloaded apps and personal profiles where the TV allows it.
- Use the TV’s Settings menu to find Factory reset, Reset, or a similarly named option. The exact path varies by brand and model.
- After the reset, confirm that the TV displays its initial setup screen rather than your account or home screen.
Also remove batteries from the remote and other accessories when practical. Do not put loose lithium-ion batteries or devices containing them in household garbage or recycling bins; use a collection program that specifically accepts that battery type.
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If the TV is broken: use electronics recycling
A broken television belongs with a dedicated electronics-recycling or e-waste channel, not ordinary curbside recycling. Start with the website of your city or county solid-waste authority and search for:
television recyclinge-waste drop-offhousehold hazardous wastelarge item pickup
Other possible channels include a state or municipal e-waste event, a retailer, the TV manufacturer, or a licensed electronics recycler. EPA consumer guidance points people toward local facilities and resources such as Earth911, Call2Recycle, and Greener Gadgets, while noting that listing a service does not constitute EPA endorsement.
Before loading the TV, ask whether the program accepts your exact type and size. Some sites accept flat-panel TVs but not CRTs; others reject cracked screens, projection TVs, or commercial quantities. Confirm:
- Whether the service accepts residents of your city or county
- Whether an appointment is required
- Whether there is a fee
- Daily or household quantity limits
- Maximum screen size or weight
- Whether broken or visibly damaged sets are accepted
- Whether you can receive a receipt or recycling confirmation
CRT and tube TVs need extra care
Older CRT televisions and computer monitors contain lead in the glass and other components. EPA describes an average older CRT display as containing approximately four pounds of lead. That does not mean every tube set contains exactly that amount, but it does explain why CRT collection and recycling rules can be stricter than rules for newer flat-panel TVs.
Call your local solid-waste or household-hazardous-waste authority before moving a CRT. Ask specifically whether it accepts tube televisions, where they must be delivered, and whether the set requires an appointment or special transport instructions. Do not smash, dismantle, burn, strip, or attempt to recover parts from the television.
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- Easy Installation: TV mount comes with clear instructions and hardware in pre-labeled bags. +/-3° post-installation adjustment allows TV leveling after installation. The paper template makes the installation of the TV wall mounting bracket easier. Considerate design for Allen key storage
- Heavy-Duty Unit: TV wall mount swivel and tilt are designed with 6 articulating arms. The technology of robot welding makes this TV mount sturdy and safe
- US-based Customer Support: We are glad to help solve your pre-purchase, installation, or missing-parts questions about TV wall mounts. Please note: Mounting Dream wall mount TV brackets are NOT FOR DRYWALL INSTALLATION. (Concrete anchors are available upon request. Anchor specifications: Φ10×50mm)
Retailer recycling and haul-away: Best Buy as an example
Best Buy illustrates why readers must check current, location-specific terms rather than assuming that every retailer has the same policy. Its recycling information says most stores accept qualifying electronics, but television rules are restrictive. The listed policy includes a limit of two TVs per household per day and says many televisions measuring 50 inches or smaller are accepted in stores for a $29.99 per-item fee. Insignia and Dynex TVs measuring 50 inches or smaller are listed as free in-store items.
The same information identifies state-specific exceptions: California, Connecticut, and Hawaii are listed as having no store drop-off fees, while Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan are listed as providing a $30 gift-card reimbursement for the $29.99 fee. However, the Best Buy FAQ also identifies Connecticut and Pennsylvania stores as not accepting TVs or monitors. These details can change and may be presented differently by state or location, so check the current store policy before making the trip.
Best Buy also describes paid haul-away options. Its recycling page lists a $49.99 haul-away charge when a replacement TV is delivered by Geek Squad or Best Buy Home Delivery, and a $199.99 standalone haul-away service for up to two large products, including TVs. Its FAQ displays a conflicting $59.99 replacement-delivery figure in one section. Treat these as examples of published prices, not national standards, and confirm the exact price shown at checkout for your ZIP code and delivery service.
Best Buy says hauled-away televisions go to licensed third-party recycling partners and that in-store items may be refurbished, repurposed, or recycled after hazardous materials and chemicals are handled. That is the retailer’s description of its process, not independent verification of every downstream outcome.
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Television recycling is not universally free or legally required in the same way throughout the United States. State and local programs may set their own accepted materials, fees, funding mechanisms, and collection requirements.
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California is a useful example, not a nationwide rule. Its Covered Electronic Waste program covers CRT, LCD, plasma, and OLED televisions and other video-display devices with screens larger than four inches. The program is funded through point-of-sale recycling fees. The listed video-display fees are:
- $4 for screens larger than 4 inches and smaller than 15 inches
- $5 for screens from 15 inches to less than 35 inches
- $6 for screens 35 inches or larger
California also states that nonfunctioning CRTs and certain mercury-containing television components may be hazardous waste under state rules. If you live elsewhere, check your own state’s environmental or solid-waste agency rather than applying California’s requirements to your location.
How to transport an old TV
Moving a television can be more hazardous than finding a recycling site. Large sets are awkward, heavy, and vulnerable to screen damage. For a very heavy CRT, an unusually large flat-panel TV, a narrow staircase, or a difficult pickup, use a retailer haul-away service or professional mover instead of trying to carry it alone.
For a manageable flat-panel TV:
- Confirm the destination will accept the TV before you leave home.
- Disconnect all cables and remove the stand if the destination or vehicle requires it. Keep screws and the remote with the set if it is being sold or donated.
- Use two people for a large screen. Lift from the lower frame or approved handling points, not by the screen surface.
- Keep the TV upright during transport when possible. Prevent it from sliding, tipping, or contacting hard objects.
- Protect the screen from impact and pressure. Do not place heavy items against it.
- Secure the television in the vehicle and avoid leaving it loose in a position where it can fall.
If you are donating, selling, returning, storing, or transporting a flat-panel TV, an adjustable TV moving box can help accommodate different screen sizes. Match the box to the TV’s actual dimensions and use adequate padding; the box is optional transport equipment, not a disposal method or a substitute for a licensed recycler. Moving-supply retailers also sell flat-panel TV kits for common screen ranges, including boxes designed for roughly 56- to 65-inch sets.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A simple call script
Use this wording when contacting a recycling site, charity, retailer, or hauler:
“Do you accept a [screen size] [CRT/LCD/plasma/LED/OLED] television from a resident? Is there a fee, appointment, quantity limit, or size limit? Do you accept broken screens, and can you provide a receipt or confirmation of recycling?”
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- Cable Management - Comes with three cable covers to better manage cables and keep the space neat and organized.
What not to do
- Do not put the TV in curbside recycling unless your local program explicitly accepts televisions.
- Do not put a television in household garbage unless your local authority specifically directs you to do so.
- Do not leave it beside the curb unless a confirmed municipal collection service allows that placement.
- Do not assume every electronics store, charity, or manufacturer accepts TVs.
- Do not assume recycling is free.
- Do not smash, dismantle, burn, or strip a television for parts.
- Do not move a large or heavy set alone.
Final checklist
- Test the TV and identify whether it is a CRT or flat-panel model.
- Choose reuse for a working set when a suitable recipient exists.
- Factory-reset a smart TV and remove accounts, Wi-Fi information, and batteries where appropriate.
- Find a local e-waste, household-hazardous-waste, retailer, manufacturer, or licensed-recycler option.
- Confirm acceptance, fees, appointments, size limits, residency rules, and pickup terms.
- Transport the set upright and protected, using two people or professional removal for heavy TVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put an old TV in my curbside recycling bin?
Usually not. Most curbside recycling programs do not accept televisions because they require specialized electronics processing. Use curbside collection only if your local recycling authority explicitly lists TVs as accepted materials.
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How do I get rid of a broken flat-screen TV?
Use a dedicated electronics-recycling program, retailer take-back service, manufacturer program, municipal e-waste event, or licensed electronics recycler. Confirm in advance that the program accepts broken screens and your TV’s size and type.
How should I dispose of a tube or CRT television?
Contact your local solid-waste or household-hazardous-waste authority before moving it. Older CRTs can contain significant lead and may not be accepted by ordinary e-waste drop-offs.
Will a retailer take away my old TV for free?
Possibly, but never assume it is free. Retailer fees, accepted sizes, state rules, appointment requirements, and pickup charges vary. Ask for the current price and service details for your ZIP code.
Can I donate an old working TV?
Yes, if the TV is still useful and the organization accepts that type and size. Call first, disclose its condition, and arrange safe transport or confirmed pickup.
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How do I remove my personal information from a smart TV?
Sign out of streaming and app accounts, remove saved Wi-Fi networks and personal profiles, and perform the TV’s factory reset. Verify that it returns to the initial setup screen.
The Bottom Line
In short: sell, give away, or donate a working TV; recycle a broken flat-panel TV through a dedicated e-waste program; and contact local authorities before moving a CRT or arranging disposal. Always confirm the destination’s rules, fees, and size limits first.
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