How to recycle a TV
26 U.S. states ban TVs from landfill — old CRTs contain lead, and flat-panels contain mercury (LCD backlights) and lithium (smart-TV batteries). Three options work everywhere: a certified electronics recycler, a manufacturer take-back program, or your county e-waste drop-off. The right choice depends on the TV's age, size, and condition.
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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 to a certified e-Stewards or R2 recycler. Best Buy charges $30-50 for CRT recycling (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 NOT accepted by charities anymore.
Step-by-step: prep + drop off
- 1. Identify the type. Boxy + heavy = CRT (different rules). Thin + light = flat-panel.
- 2. Try donation if it works. Less than 7-8 years old + working → Goodwill / Salvation Army / Furniture Bank.
- 3. Factory reset. Smart TVs store WiFi passwords, streaming credentials, sometimes voice recordings. Settings → Reset before disposal.
- 4. Pick a recycler. Best Buy (free up to 50"), Staples (small models), county e-waste (usually free), or certified e-Stewards / R2 recycler.
- 5. Look up your local option. Use ClearPath /check with your ZIP — we'll surface the nearest verified site + 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 — 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. Use Settings → Reset (often labeled "Factory Reset" or "Erase All Content") before handing off.
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 — they're too costly to ship and increasingly obsolete.
Why are CRT TVs so expensive to recycle?
The leaded glass requires specialized handling — it's 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 accept-lists and hours differ by county. ClearPath returns your specific answer in seconds.
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