How to dispose of old TV sets comes down to one rule. Keep them out of the trash and off the curb, because California bans TVs from household garbage. Sell or donate a working set. Take a broken or tube TV to an e-waste recycler, or ask for a pickup if it's too heavy. Reset a smart TV first.
Old TVs are one of the most common things people struggle to get rid of. They're bulky, often heavy, and the older ones contain materials that need careful handling. The sections below go by situation, so you can skip to the part that fits your set.
Before you dispose of an old TV, check what kind it is
The first step is knowing the type. It decides how heavy it is, who will take it and how careful you need to be. Most sets fall into one of three groups.
- Tube (CRT) TV. Deep from front to back, very heavy for its screen size, with a curved glass front. Most were sold before the late 2000s. The tube contains leaded glass.
- Flat panel. LCD, LED, OLED or plasma. Thin and much lighter. The model label on the back usually names the type. Some older LCDs use mercury backlights.
- Rear-projection or console TV. A big cabinet, often wood, with the screen set into the front. Heavy and awkward, but still electronics.
Why it matters: CalRecycle treats nonfunctioning tube screens, and the mercury bulbs used in some older TVs and monitors, as hazardous waste. Under California's program, a TV or monitor with a screen over 4 inches is a covered electronic device. Every type above goes to the same kind of place, an e-waste recycler, but tube sets need the most care. If you have more than a TV to clear, our guide on what to do with old electronics covers every other item in the house.
Can you dispose of an old TV in the trash?
No. CalRecycle lists TVs and monitors among the electronic devices that must not go in the trash. Its guidance puts it simply, "Do not throw electronic devices in the trash!"
Leaving a TV on the curb with a "free" sign isn't disposal either. If nobody takes it, it can count as dumping, and a set left in the rain is no use to anyone. Our post on whether it's legal to throw a TV away explains the rules in more detail.
Ways to dispose of an old TV
There is more than one way to dispose of an old TV. Pick the route that fits yours. Working and recent TVs have the most options. Broken and tube sets usually go to a recycler.
1. Sell it
A recent flat-screen that works can sell locally. List it with the screen size, model number and a photo of it switched on. Buyers will collect, because shipping a TV is rarely worth it. Older sets and tube TVs seldom sell, with the odd exception for retro gaming fans.
2. Donate an old TV that still works
Charities, schools, churches and community centers sometimes take working TVs. Call before you load the car. Most have limits on age and size, and very few accept tube sets. Bring the remote and the power cord, because a TV without them is much harder to pass on.
3. Retailer haul-away or take-back
Some stores will take an old TV when they deliver a new one. This is often tied to the delivery, may cost extra and may have limits per household. Others take TVs at the store. Policies change, so check the store's own page on the day you plan to go.
4. Manufacturer take-back
Some TV makers run recycling programs for their own brand. Look on the maker's website under recycling or sustainability. These programs usually point you to a drop-off partner rather than collecting from your home.
5. Take it to an e-waste recycler or collection event
This is the usual route for broken sets, tube TVs and anything nobody wants. CalRecycle's eRecycle directory lists approved collectors, and it advises calling ahead about services, hours and "any potential charges". Many recyclers take TVs free, so this is often the way to dispose of old TVs for free. Community e-waste events are another option.
In San Diego County, we offer TV recycling at our drop-off locations. We take every type and condition, and our team lifts the set out of your car.
6. Ask for a pickup
If the set is too big or heavy to move safely, a pickup is the better choice. Our free pickup covers five or more computing devices, and TVs count toward that. For one large set, call (619) 889-1305 and ask about pickup for a heavy set.
7. Junk removal
A junk removal company will take a TV from inside your home, and it works if you are clearing a lot at once. You pay for the labor and the trip, though, not just the recycling. Ask where the TV ends up, and choose a company that uses a certified e-waste recycler.
Wondering what each route costs? Our guide on is it free to recycle electronics explains when recycling is free and when you pay.
How to dispose of an old tube (CRT) TV
Tube TVs are the hard case. They are heavy, awkward to grip, and the glass in the tube contains lead. CalRecycle treats nonfunctioning CRTs as hazardous waste, so a tube set must never go in the trash.
- Keep it whole. Never break the tube or take the set apart. The tube is the dangerous part, and it can hold an electrical charge even when unplugged.
- Lift with two people. Get a firm grip under the cabinet, not on the screen.
- Call ahead. Many charities and some recyclers won't take tube sets. A good e-waste recycler will.
- If the glass is cracked, wrap the set in a blanket or heavy plastic and call the recycler before you travel. Broken tube glass releases leaded dust and needs different handling.
We accept tube TVs, rear-projection sets and old console TVs in wooden cabinets. If a tube is cracked, call (619) 889-1305 first so the team is ready for it.
How to dispose of an old TV that doesn't work
Recycle it. A broken flat-screen goes to an e-waste recycler the same way a working one does. A cracked flat panel is not the same hazard as a cracked tube, so it can usually be dropped off as normal. Keep it upright and don't press on the broken area.
Repair is worth checking only for a recent, expensive set with a simple fault, such as a failed power board. For most older TVs, the repair costs more than the set is worth. At a recycler, condition doesn't matter. Dead panels, no picture and water damage all go the same way.
How to dispose of old computer monitors
Monitors follow the same routes as TVs. A recent flat monitor is easy to give away as a second screen. Older and broken monitors go to an e-waste recycler, often in the same trip as the computer.
Old CRT monitors carry the same leaded glass as tube TVs, so handle them the same way. Keep them whole and carry them with two hands under the base. Our TV recycling details apply to monitors too, from ultrawide panels to old tube screens.
How to prepare an old TV before you dispose of it
Preparation is the step most guides skip. A smart TV stores more than people expect, such as Wi-Fi passwords, streaming logins and viewing history. A few minutes of prep keeps that private.
- Sign out of each streaming app one by one. On older software, a reset doesn't always clear app sessions.
- Remove the TV from your account with Samsung, LG, Google or Amazon.
- Run a factory reset from the settings menu.
- If it won't power on, tell the recycler. You can't reset it, and that's fine.
- Take the batteries out of the remote, because loose household batteries are recycled separately.
- Bring the extras. The remote, stand, wall mount, cables and streaming sticks can all go with the TV.
- Plan the lift. Use two people for any tube set or a flat panel over about 55 inches. Carry flat panels upright, and don't lay them flat on the screen.
You don't need to remove anything from inside the set. Unplug it, coil the cables, and it's ready.
Need to dispose of an old TV in San Diego County?
Bring it to any of our six locations for TV recycling, with no appointment needed. If it's too heavy to move, ask about pickup. Clearing more than a TV? Our guide on what to do with old electronics covers the rest of the house.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave an old TV on the curb?
No. Leaving a TV on the curb isn't a legal way to get rid of it in California, and if nobody takes it, it can count as dumping. TVs are banned from household trash. Take it to an e-waste recycler or collection event, or arrange a pickup if you can't move it.
Is it free to get rid of an old TV?
Often, yes, at an e-waste recycler. Many recyclers in California take TVs free, partly because a state fee is collected when TVs are sold. Retailer haul-away and junk removal usually cost money because you pay for the labor. Call ahead and ask about charges before you go.
Will a charity take an old TV?
Sometimes, if it works and is fairly recent. Most charities have limits on age and size, and very few accept tube TVs. Call before you go, and bring the remote and power cord. If the charity says no, an e-waste recycler will take it, working or not.
Are old tube TVs worth anything?
Usually not. A few models are wanted by retro gaming fans, so check recent sales for your exact model if it still works. Most tube TVs have no resale value, and many places won't take them at all. A certified e-waste recycler will accept them.
Do I need to remove anything from inside the TV?
No. Never open a TV, and never take a tube set apart, because the tube can hold an electrical charge. Just take the batteries out of the remote, sign out of any smart TV apps, reset it if it powers on, and bring it whole.
