How to recycle a TV
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Flat-panel TV (LCD, LED, plasma)
Modern flat-panel TVs (anything sold after ~2007) contain mercury in the backlight, recyclable rare-earth metals, and recyclable plastics. Best Buy accepts TVs up to 50" free at every store (larger via in-home haul-away for a fee). Staples accepts smaller models. Your county e-waste site is usually free too.
CRT TV (tube, pre-2007)
Cathode-ray-tube TVs contain 2-8 lbs of lead in the tube. They cannot legally be landfilled in CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, and a few others. Take one to a certified e-Stewards or R2 recycler. Best Buy charges $30-50 for CRT recycling, which is still cheaper than a fine.
Smart TV (with lithium-ion battery)
Smart TVs with built-in wireless / voice assistants sometimes carry a small lithium-ion battery for the wake-word module. Most recyclers handle this for you, but if the battery is user-removable, take it out and recycle separately at Call2Recycle.
Working but unwanted TV
A working TV less than 7-8 years old often has a second life through a charity or Buy Nothing group. Goodwill and Salvation Army accept most working flat-panels. Furniturebanks.org coordinates donations to families in need. Old CRTs are usually no longer accepted by charities.
Step-by-step: prep + drop off
- 1. Identify the type. Boxy and heavy means CRT (different rules apply). Thin and light means flat-panel.
- 2. Try donation if it works. Working and less than 7-8 years old? Try Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Furniture Bank.
- 3. Factory reset. Smart TVs store WiFi passwords, streaming credentials, and sometimes voice recordings. Go to Settings > Reset before disposal.
- 4. Pick a recycler. Best Buy (free up to 50"), Staples (small models), county e-waste (usually free), or a certified e-Stewards or R2 recycler.
- 5. Look up your local option. Try /check with your ZIP. We will show the nearest verified site and its hours.
Frequently asked
Can I put a TV in the trash?
Not in 26 states. CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, and others ban all TVs from landfill. Even in states without a ban, TV trash is environmentally toxic, and every state has a free or low-cost recycling option.
Does Best Buy take TVs for free?
Yes. TVs up to 50" are free at any Best Buy store. Larger TVs (over 50") require in-home haul-away for $30-50. Best Buy is the largest electronics-recycling network in the U.S.
What's the difference between a CRT and a flat-panel TV?
CRT TVs (cathode-ray-tube, pre-2007) are boxy, heavy (40-100 lbs), and contain 2-8 lbs of lead. They require certified hazardous-waste handling. Flat-panel TVs (LCD, LED, plasma) are thin, lighter, and recyclable through standard e-waste channels.
Should I factory-reset my smart TV before recycling?
Yes. Smart TVs store WiFi passwords, streaming-service login tokens (Netflix, Disney+, etc.), and sometimes voice recordings. Go to Settings > Reset (often labeled "Factory Reset" or "Erase All Content") before handing off the TV.
Can I donate a working TV?
Working flat-panels less than 7-8 years old are often accepted by Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Furniture Banks Network. Most charities no longer accept CRT TVs because they are too costly to ship and increasingly obsolete.
Why are CRT TVs so expensive to recycle?
The leaded glass requires specialized handling. It is classified as hazardous waste under federal RCRA rules. Certified e-Stewards or R2 recyclers charge $20-50 per CRT to cover safe disassembly. Many counties offer subsidized CRT events.
Find your local e-waste site
E-waste accepted-item lists and hours differ by county, and Minnesota's covered electronics law restricts what curbside services accept. Type your ZIP and we will return the specific verified drop-off in seconds.